Westport (Massachusetts) History

New: Photo deadline extended! Enter your pictures of today's Westport

Community on Camera - Celebrating Westport - Past, Present, Future

Presented by the Westport Historical Society

Supported by the Westport Arts Council through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by Bank of America

Update:

The new deadline for recieving entries is extended to November 5th
The new date of exhibit is November 30th - December 3
Entries can now also be emailed to westhistpic@yahoo.com

Calling all photographers! Submit your photographs of Westport today, see your photos on exhibit and help create an archive for future generations. Westport Historical Society invites entries of photographs of Westport taken between 2000 - present. All submissions will be included in an exhibit opening November 30th at the Helen Ellis Exhibit Space, Lees Market with presentations of prizes for the best photos. “Community on Camera” challenges photographers to capture the daily rhythms of life, and to reflect on the changing nature of what it means to live as part of Westport’s community today.

“Community on Camera” was inspired by photographs in the Historical Society’s collection depicting what were everyday scenes in the early 1900’s - relaxing at home, the postman, a family picnic. Some of these scenes are extraordinary records of bygone days and of a way of life that no longer exists. Other images have a timeless quality, suggesting a continuity of human interaction and community life. “Community on Camera” will create a similar record of Westport in the 21st century. All entries will become part of the Society’s collecton and will be preserved for future generations.

“Community on Camera” challenges photographers to project themselves into the future and to think creatively about what future generations will find interesting about Westport life in the early 21st century? It could be as simple as snapping a picture of the postman or of a cherished Westport landmark. All submissions must be accompanied by a “postcard to the future,” a short explanation about the subject of the photograph.

Entry forms are available at the Bell School, Westport Free Public Library, Partners Store, or you can download one right here.

Photo Contest Guidelines

Who may enter: All amateur and professional photographers. Each contestant may enter up to three photographs. (Board members and employees are not eligible for prizes).

Specifications: Entries must be submitted as 5 x 7 prints or 8 x 10 prints. Black and white or color photographs accepted. Photographs from digital or film cameras accepted. Photographs may not be manipulated and should be printed on high quality photo paper.

Entries: Photographs must have been taken in Westport between 2000 and present and must not have been published previously.

Deadline: Photographs must be received no later than November 5, 2006

Contestant divisions:
Youth (under 18)
Adult (18 and over)

Categories:

• Working Westport


• People at Play/People at Home


• Endangered and Unique Westport


• Celebrations and Traditions


• Growing up in Westport


• Village Life/Rural Life

Prizes: Criteria for judging submitted photographs will be its value as historical documentation of Westport’s everyday character and community life.

Public display: Photos will be exhibited at Helen Ellis Exhibit Space, Lees Market November 30 – December 3, 2006.

Photographs will not be returned. All submissions will become the property of the Westport Historical Society and will be preserved as part of the Society’s collection. The Westport Historical Society reserves the right to publish or display any submission with photo credit. Submission of entries automatically constitutes the contestant’s acceptance of all conditions set forth in the above rules. Entries not complying with the above rules will be disqualified.

Please contact Westport Historical Society for more information at 508 636 6011 or westhist@gis.net

Jean Parsons: Remembering my Father, J. T. Smith and Turtle Rock Farm

Jean Parsons: Remembering my Father, J. T. Smith and Turtle Rock Farm
Thursday, July 20th 7:30 PM at the Bell School, 25 Drift Road This is a unique opportunity to hear Jean Parsons, a senior resident of Westport, recall the life of her father Julius T. Smith (known as J.T.) of Turtle Rock Farm on Pine Hill Road. J.T. became well known locally for his weekly essays in a Westport newspaper that recalled his life as a farm boy in the early 1900’s and his experiences as a market gardener. He had a deep interest in the natural environment, founding the Paskamansett Bird Club. Jean Parsons is a retired long-time fourth grade teacher in the Westport schools. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Please call 508-636-6011 so that we can plan accordingly. Please arrive early to reserve seat! Refreshments will be provided.

Explore Westport's History by bus

Explore Westport’s history by bus!
Saturday, July 22nd

Sponsored by Westport Historical Society and Westport Council on Aging

Please join us for a unique bus tour of Westport, highlighting points of local interest led by local historian Carmen Maiocco. Tours depart at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM from Council on Aging, 75 Reed Road. Seating is limited, advance reservations required. Tickets per person $10.00 members/seniors 60 years and over, $14.00 non-members. Reservations available at COA or Bell School. Please contact Westport Historical Society for more information at 508 636 6011.

Antique Guns Show and Tell

Antique Guns “Show and Tell”
with Nick Niles and Maxwell Turner
Wednesday, July 12th 7:00 PM at the Bell School, 25 Drift Road

We are pleased to offer another chance to hear Nick Niles, an expert on the history of antique firearms. Nick will place the gun making industry in a wider context of local bog iron mining operations and foundries. Maxwell Turner will explore the history of the Fall River Iron Works (FRIW), an important local company operating during the 19th century with which many Westport families have been associated. Maxwell Turner is the great great grandson of Richard Borden, one of the founders of FRIW. Please bring along your own antique guns and related materials for discussion. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Please call 508-636-6011 so that we can plan accordingly. Arrive early to reserve seat! Refreshments will be provided. Please note program begins at 7:00 PM.