The news consists of a report on the archaeological survey of Westport (that is nearing completion); the long-range planning process that we currently engaged in; and a plea for contributions to The Harbinger.
The archaeological survey of Westport, prepared by the Public Archaeology Laboratory of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is in its semi-final stage, and we expect a final version of the document within a few weeks. We can report that the Survey has elicited a good deal of new information about Westport. Some of this information will have to remain unpublished (because of the danger of illicit digging), but much also can be circulated. We shall see what portions of the document we can circulate, and will inform readers of this fact. We’d like to have everyone know as much as possible, but State law forbids the publication of materials relating to Native Americans.
The Society is currently engaged in a long-range planning process. We have been discussing the past of the Society and hopes for the future. The Society has been in existence since 1965, and it would seem advisable as we approach our fortieth anniversary that we establish a clear mission for the future. We possess the magnificent Bell School, which has served well since its renovation some years back, but we constantly find ourselves faced with the limitations of the building. It is more than adequate for meetings and exhibits, but lacks adequate space for the storage and display of historical materials. It also is a wood frame structure without temperature and humidity control. These are physical limitations that prevent the Society from accepting donations of larger items, and cause us anguish as we contemplate the preservation of fabrics and paper materials. We have held a number of meetings of the Board on the subject, have visited several local historical societies to see how they function, and are still in the process. We have reached no conclusions, and should be interested to hear from members with suggestions and ideas. The range of possibilities extends from acquiring new facilities and having a full-time Director to cutting back to a more modest operation. We hope that members of the Society will take an interest in the process. We will hold an open meeting when our discussions are complete to elicit suggestions and advice.
The Harbinger is the publication of the Westport Historical Society, and any member – indeed any resident of Westport – is encouraged to submit material of historical interest for publication. If you have something you should like to print in the Harbinger, please contact the Society or the Society’s Secretary and Editor, Peter Forrester.
The following new members have joined the Society since the last issue of the Harbinger was published: James & Ellen Brayton, Whitney Chadwick & Robert Bechtle, Peter & Rosemary Lenrow, Ted & June Moore, Brenda Burke, Ronald & Susan Knapp, Marcia Drumright, William Veselik, Thornton Simmons (Gray’s Grist Mill), John & Barbara Faria, Dorothy Entwistle, and Gladys Grundy.
Upcoming Events
Pete Baker (AW Baker) on Thursday, April 22nd, at 7:30PM at the Council on Aging
Subject: A discussion of her book "Collecting Houses"
Kristen Petersen from the Bay State Historical League and professor of
history from Pine Manor College on Thursday, May 20th at 7:30PM
Subject: An Overview of Immigration Patterns in Westport
Panel Presentation by Dr. Claire Quintal (founder of the French Institute at Assumption College, and Head of the Franco-American League), Jean Louis Clapin, (whose father published the French newspaper L’Independent), and Norman Ouellette, (co-founder of the Massachusetts Lafayette Society, Norman has been involved in French cultural heritage and active in many French organizations in the area) on Thursday, June 17th at 7:30PM.
Subject: French Canadian Immigration into Massachusetts and Westport.
We thank the Howard Bayne Fund for their continued support. A portion of their donation will be used for educational purposes – to pay for the publication of An Elementary Introduction to the History of Westport to be distributed to the third graders at the Elementary School. We are immensely grateful to Andrea and Bunt Powning for preparing this marvelous introduction, and to Carla Moran for creating the wonderful drawings that accompany the text.
We are grateful as well to Helga Nichols for preparing an index to the Historic Properties volumes prepared by the Historical Commission. It has been difficult to locate properties from the volumes, and this index will ease consultation and will also help to preserve the volumes from excessive thumbing. We shall be providing a copy of this index to the Town Library.
We thankGrimshaw-Gudewicz Foundation for a grant that makes it possible for us to publish The Harbinger.
In 1926 summer residents of Westport Harbor petitioned the State to secede from Westport; they felt that they paid much in taxes but received few services and could not vote (because non-residents) on the Town budget. The Legislature kicked the matter back to the Town, and at a Town Meeting of January, 1926, the proposal was brought to the floor, elicited a good deal of oratory, and was voted down 281-0. The people from the Harbor did not attend the meeting. The New Bedford Standard reported the event in its edition of January 19. We are indebted to Dr. Robert Brayton for the information and a copy of the paper.
The headlines read:
VOTE UNANIMOUSLY
TO OPPPOSE ACOAXET
SECESSION TO LIMIT
-------------------------------
Westport Citizens Pack Town Hall –
Harbor Residents Accused of Unfair
Play - Accusation Unanswered
"With oratory, by vote, resolution and even poetry, Westport hastened last evening in special town meeting to show how it felt toward the proposed separation of the valuable seashore Acoaxet section. The feeling expressed was unanimous opposition to the division and willingness to do everything proper to prevent the Legislature from granting the petition of the Acoaxet residents."
We print here the poem written for the occasion by William H. Potter and recited at the meeting. It lacks a title, but has an epigraph that sets the tone of the discussion at the meeting:
"Ill fares the land to hast'ning ills a prey
Where wealth accumulates and men decay." Goldsmith
Right out in front of this town hall
A tablet stands tonight,
And on it is inscribed the names
Of those who fought the fight.
An aged couple close at hand
Gave all they had to give,
To protect us from German hate, --
That Democracy might live.
The service rendered by those boys
We never can repay.
How those who loved them suffered
Mere words cannot portray.
The boys received a dollar a day,
And many lost their health;
The rich man stayed at home
Engaged in doubling his wealth.
And when our lads at last came home,
Prepared to settle down,
They found the rich men ready
To take part of their town.
If actions louder speak than words,
We hear the rich man say:
"Now that the war is over
Our taxes you must pay."
"The total cost of all our sports
is proving quite a load.
We have naught for education
Or the maintenance of roads."
"We do not wish to spend our cash
On any poorhouse lodgers,
Instead, we’ll use it to obtain
A Mecca for tax dodgers."
We wish to tell you that your acts
By us are not extolled -
Better think of Nebuchadnezzar
And the writing on the wall;
Then think about the One above,
Who notes the sparrow's fall,
And endeavor to be decent -
Do not try to rob us all!
About a century ago there were a number of hunting and fishing camps at various waterside locations in town. One such was subsequently converted into a dwelling. The names of the buildings at the camp may prove of interest. The camp itself was called "Gun-a-bit," the main house was called "Grin-a-bit," the kitchen was called "Grill-a-bit," and the outhouse was called "Grunt-a-bit."