Announcements - What's newest!
September 3, 2010
Hooked Rugs: History, Demonstrations, Appraisals with Jessie Turbayne
Saturday September 25 10 – 3 PM
Macomber Community House
930 Main Road, Westport MA
10 AM "The History of Hooked Rugs from 1850 to the Present” with a focus on Westport connections to rug hooking, most notably Jessie Luther and her pioneering work at the Grenfell mission in the early 1900s. Followed by discussion, demonstrations, and book signing.
12 to 1 PM Break for lunch. Bring your own or sample local offerings.
1 to 3 PM Verbal appraisals ($5 per rug), and more discussion!
Please note that the program schedule is somewhat flexible!
Attendees are invited to bring their hooked rugs — old, new, or works in progress.
Jessie Turbayne is a noted authority on hooked rugs. For 35 years, she has specialized in the conservation, restoration, and repair of antique, collectible and contemporary hooked rugs. Her clientele includes antiques dealers, collectors, museum curators, Hollywood stars, Wall Street moguls, and those who simply cherish the hooked rug that Aunt Harriet made in 1939. She is the author of seven highly regarded books and teaches rug hooking to those interested in learning the stress-reducing and time-honored art form.
Suggested admission $5.00. To reserve a seat, please contact Westport Historical Society.
This program is supported by a grant from the Westport Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
August 26, 2010
Early Landownership in Old Dartmouth with Sally Aldrich
7PM, Thursday September 16th 2010
at Howland Hall
Westport Point United Methodist Church
1912 Main Road, Westport Point
In the mid-1600s control of this area passed from Native Americans to English Colonists. Have you ever wondered how the original farms, public roads, private lanes and woodlots came to be in private hands? The Propriety of Old Dartmouth took possession the land which later became the Towns of Westport, Dartmouth, Acushnet and Fairhaven and the City of New Bedford.
As you drive around Westport today, you will see all the evidence of these early settlement patterns. Come and hear how our local history is unique from other New England towns and how this area was governed in the period before 1800.
Sally Aldrich graduated from UMass Dartmouth in 1987 with a Bachelor's degree in History. Her thesis topic was “The Dartmouth Propriety: Land Ownership in the Township Before 1800.” She also spent 25 years as a paralegal in a New Bedford law firm. In 1987 she also became a part-time real estate broker.
August 25, 2010
Find out more about how to do a house history
http://nehousehistorian.blogspot.com/2010/08/house-histories-in-westport-ma.html
August 21, 2010
Summer exhibition---Head to Toe: A Century of Westport Fashion 1800-1900

Blair Walker, curator
Explore the transformation of fashion in the 19th century.
Discover how a country woman dressed from her stays to her outermost layer.
View examples of clothing worn by Westport women in the 1800s.
Exhibition open June 12 - September 4, 2010
Wednesday – Saturday 10 – 4 PM
At Westport Historical Society
25 Drift Road, Westport MA 02790
Free.
July 30, 2010
Researching the History of Your House
7 PM Thursday August 19th at Westport Free Public Library
You can research the history of your house whether it is 20 years old or 150 years old. Marian Pierre-Louis will introduce where to find the deeds to your house, how to chain a deed, and locating other sources of information such as the US Federal Census records. Come learn some tricks to get the most out of your house history research. This talk is appropriate for both beginners and those who have some research experience.
Marian Pierre-Louis is a House Historian and Genealogical Lecturer who specializes in southern New England research. Particular research interests include early (1700-1850) African Americans in New England. She is principal researcher for Fieldstone Historic Research.
July 16, 2010
Researching the History of Your House
7PM, Thursday August 19th 2010
at Westport Free Public Library
Manton Community Room
408 Old County Road, Westport MA 02790
You can research the history of your house whether it is 20 years old or 150 years old. Marian Pierre-Louis will introduce where to find the deeds to your house, how to chain a deed, and locating other sources of information such as the US Federal Census records. Come learn some tricks to get the most out of your house history research. This talk is appropriate for both beginners and those who have some research experience.
Marian Pierre-Louis is a house historian and genealogical lecturer who specializes in southern New England research. Particular research interests include early African Americans in New England. She is principal researcher for Fieldstone Historic Research.
Suggested donation $5.00.
