President’s Report
It’s a tough environment out there for not-for-profit organizations—and for everyone else. Due to the financial crisis of the past year, our modest endowment is now a bit more modest, and yet with our members’ continuing support we’re keeping our heads above water. Of course the primary measure of our success is not in financial terms, and on that score we have had a very successful year.
This year we brought Pulitzer-prize winning author Tony Horwitz to Westport to give an enlightening and entertaining account of his travels in search of the real story behind the various “discoveries” of America. Michael Tougias’s talk on King Philip’s War overflowed Macomber Hall. Former society president Bill Wyatt entertained a large crowd at the Acoaxet Club with his engaging look at Westport’s history. And, in our most unusual program in many years, Ned Connors presented a 3-D slide show of nineteenth-century stereo views of Westport and environs. The average attendance for these shows was over 100, demonstrating that Westporters are very eager to support innovative and informative programs related to their town and the surrounding region.
Our summer exhibit, Behind the Shingles, was an unqualified success, thanks to the efforts of Pete Baker and Geraldine Millham. Not only did 500 visitors see the exhibit, but it was also a critical success, drawing great reviews from historic preservationists and old-house enthusiasts throughout the region. A special thanks goes to Anna Duphiney, who acted as docent of the exhibit for more days than anyone can count.
Finally I would like to acknowledge the contributions of Sally Sapienza who is stepping down from the board of directors. We will miss Sally’s sound judgment, caring spirit, and creativity. All other current members are remaining on the board.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us in our efforts to keep Westport’s history alive and well in 2009. We look forward to a productive 2010.
Tony Connors
Director’s Report
Highlights of the past year include:
Celebrating Paul Cuffe at 250 years
Paul Cuffe was the dominant theme for 2009 which marked the 250th anniversary of his birth. On June 13th, over 100 people gathered at the Westport Friends Meeting house to celebrate this anniversary and to rededicate the Cuffe monument. Speakers included: Dr. Stewart Kirkaldy, David Burnham from the Paul Cuffe School, and Cuffe descendant, Susan Almeida. Lees Market generously provided refreshments for this event and our team of volunteers included: Debbie Paulo, Elisabeth Mundel, Yvonne Barr, Carol Coutinho, Muriel Pettey, Doris Sanford, and Louise Parsons.
Exploring Paul Cuffe: The Man and His Legacy, a public symposium
On Saturday October 3, 200 people gathered at the New Bedford Whaling Museum for a day-long symposium focusing on Paul Cuffe. Presenters included Lamont Thomas, Richard Kugler, Marion Kilson, Ray Rickman, Julie Winch, Valerie Cunningham, David Cole and Kevin Lowther. The conference explored Cuffe’s local relationships, his contemporaries and his activities in Sierra Leone. This project was funded through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by the Bank of America and through a grant from the Westport Local Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The event also received support from New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the New Bedford Whaling Museum and Lees Market.
Both events were the result of a collaboration between New Bedford Historical Society and Westport Historical Society. Key members of the Cuffe Committee included:
Lee Blake, Carl Cruz, Betty Slade, Jenny O’Neill, Laurie Robertson-Lorant, Tony Connors, and Cindy Barber with assistance from Frank Barrows, Norman Barber, Janine da Silva, David and Emily Sutton, Michael Dyer and Bill Wyatt.
Behind the Shingles: 17th and 18th Century Houses of Southern Massachusetts
Pete Baker and Geraldine Millham created a superb exhibition exploring the many secrets of old houses. The exhibition included objects from the personal collection of Pete Baker, and drew an appreciative audience of old house dwellers from all over New England. Special thanks to Anna Duphiney, Carol Coutinho, David Hobart, Gregory Nowell, Michel Dyer, Jim Collins for his model of the Waite Potter House, Tony Millham, David Allen, Andrew Isidoro and Brandon Cox. A tour of the historic Brightman House by Dan Tripp and Pete Baker provided a real life example of the some of the challenges faced when restoring an old house. The project was initiated by Betty Slade through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by the Bank of America.
Collections database on-line
As promised in last year’s annual report, our collections database became accessible to researchers on-line. The on-line database includes our photograph, postcard and archives collections and is fully searchable in multiple ways. We will continue at intervals to upload new records. As more resources for Westport history become available on-line, we have provided a guide on our website to “Researching Westport History” which links to related websites. Our thanks to Greg Stone for providing much expertise and technical know-how for this project.
Mass Humanities Scholar in Residence grant
The Society received a Scholar in Residence grant from Mass Humanities to fund research by textiles consultant Blair Walker. She has developed a presentation exploring the life of a 19th century Westport woman through the context of clothing and changing fashion. The project has transformed the way in which the clothing collection can be interpreted and we look forward to her public program and an exhibition in 2010 featuring our 19th century clothing collection.
History of Westport Schools
Peter Innes, a student of Umass Dartmouth spent his spring semester researching the history of Westport’s school system. His interest focused on the move towards consolidation of Westport’s schools in the early 20th century. The results of his research are contained in an impressive report “A History of Westport Schools 1859 – 1917” copies of which are available at the Westport Public Library and Westport Historical Society.
Stevens Family Gravestone
On November 22, 2008 we honored the memory of the Stevens family of Westport Point. Many of those who knew members of the Stevens family personally gathered to dedicate a gravestone marker at Westport Point cemetery. The engraved stone was funded by gifts from people who knew Leland and Warren Stevens.
Other activities
It has been a privilege to assist the town clerk, Marlene Samson, and the Community Preservation Committee with the development of a preservation plan for Westport’s town records. With CPA funds we hope to ensure the preservation of 42 volumes of records through a preservation plan encompassing microfilming, digitization, targeted conservation treatment and improved storage conditions.
The Society received CPA funding for stabilization of the Bell School foundation and for exterior painting. These projects will be completed during the coming year.
Jenny O’Neill
Collections
The most exciting development for collections has been the launch of our online database. Work on cataloging collections has continued with the help of Barbara Moss, Suzanne Palmer, Anna Duphiney, Sybil Burba, Valerie Tripp Gordon, Blair Walker and Ingrid Davidge. We received 78 donations, a total of 311 items.
Highlights of new donations include:
The register for the Westport Point Hotel 1889 donated by Walter and Glenda Broadbent.
Cornell Farm (Cornell Road) and Cornell family papers donated by Everett Sherman.
A wood carving by Helen Ellis donated by John and Kathy Preston.
William Gifford account books from the estate of Augustine and Ila Gonet donated by Barbara Schultz.
A collection of 19th century clothing donated by Suzanne Carter Peck.
Related projects include: the creation of an index to Eleanor Tripp’s collection including both names of people and subjects. The index is available at Westport Public Library and the Historical Society.
To date our collections database includes 3713 photographs and postcards, 2687 archives, 1288 objects and 333 books.
Programs
Our thanks to the many individuals who have helped with refreshments and set up for our programs. Thanks to: Debbie Paulo, Tony Connors, Elisabeth Mundel, Yvonne Barr, Carol Coutinho and Betty Slade for taping the programs.
March Some Old American Folk Songs with Garcia
April Tony Horwitz discusses his latest book A Voyage Long and Strange
April Let’s Talk Quilts with Susan Jerome
May King Philip's War with Michael Tougias
June Celebrating Paul Cuffe
August 19th Century Westport (and beyond) in 3D with Ned Connors and Tony Connors
September Tour of the historic Brightman House with Dan Tripp and Pete Baker
October Sick and Down and Out in Rural Massachusetts with Martha Guy
Oral History Committee
Betty Slade has continued to interview local residents as part of our oral history program. DVDs of these interviews are available at the Westport Public Library and Westport Historical Society. This year’s interviews include:
Meader family at Westport Harbor: Bonnie Meader, Bob Meader and Jan Turner.
Westport History Study Group including presentations by Tony Connors, Bob Brayton, Norma Judson, Shirley Palmer, Richard Kugler, and Alan Powers.
Leo St. Ange (with Lino Rego).
Fishing and Lobstering: Cukie Macomber and Jack Reynolds.
CPC work in Westport: Ed Grillo, Elaine Ostroff, Geraldine Millham.
Pete Baker and Behind the Shingles.
Betty Slade
Membership
431 members in total
24 new members in 2009
Charter 5
Sustaining 27
Contributing 74
Family 139
Individual 180
Life 6
Harbinger
Our quarterly newsletter, The Harbinger, continues to evolve and expand. The Harbinger connects our membership to current events within the Westport Historical Society as well as to those important historical events that occurred in town. It has become a mainstay of our public relations programs. The purpose of the Harbinger is four-fold:
1. Create an awareness of the WHS throughout our community.
2. Present WHS positions on important historical events in town.
3. Report on WHS events and happenings.
4. Recruit new members.
Free point-of-purchase distribution of the Harbinger throughout several businesses and organizations in town has increased an awareness of our Society and has resulted in new memberships.
Jon Alden
Treasurer’s Report
The financial markets remained tumultuous during the first half of the fiscal year. However we reinvested the securities sold last year in a variety of conservative high yielding bond funds which have appreciated significantly so our investment account is down only about 11% year to year.
We thank the following for generous grants this year: Grimshaw-Gudewicz Foundation, the Howard Bayne Fund, the Nichols Foundation and the Van Slouns for the Sylvan Endowment. We encourage all members to continue to bring in Lees tapes which provide a welcome addition to our income.
Total expenses increased 5% due mostly to the increased utility costs and some repairs to the back of the building. Our financial condition remains strong and we will continue to keep a sharp eye on expenses in the coming year.
Roger Griswold