October 7, 2011
Westport Historical Society Annual Meeting
6.30 PM Thursday October 20, 2011 at Westport Free Public Library , 408 Old County Road, Westport MA 02790
A brief business meeting from 6.30 – 7PM will include election of officers, presentation of amended by-laws, remembrance of William Wyatt and recognition of Roger Griswold’s many years of service as treasurer as well as presentation of annual history award to Geraldine Millham.
7 PM Unlocking the Secrets of the Handy House
Architectural historian Pete Baker and Steve Tyson (Architectural Preservation Group) examine the framing of the Handy House.
Architectural historian Eric Gradoia will explore the architectural and cultural significance of the Cadman-White-Handy House. Mr. Gradoia, a self described “building archaeologist,” has completed a study of core features of the Handy House -- floor plans, its structure, building materials and decorative treatments. Mr. Gradoia describes the Handy House as a remarkable and extraordinary artifact: “While numerous house museums dot the New England landscape, very few comparable examples rival the Handy House in overall quality and completeness. The house is a unique architectural time capsule that embodies the first three principal architectural trends to occur in this nation’s history, as well as representing the story of everyday life in Westport over the course of three centuries.”
Eric Gradoia is an Architectural Historian with the Albany firm of Mesick, Cohen, Wilson, Baker Architects and an adjunct faculty member in the Historic Preservation Program at Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island. Mr. Gradoia’s familiarity with historic buildings grows out of nearly twenty years of involvement in studying and documenting these cultural resources. His report provides an important planning document as the Westport Historical Society prepares to begin stabilization work at the Handy House.
This program is free and open to all. Refreshments will be served. For more information please contact Westport Historical Society 508 636 6011, westporthistory@westporthistory.net