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
October 4, 2011
Handy House Cookbook
The Handy House Cookbook is ready just in time for holiday giving. Published by the Westport Historical Society, this book honors Eleanor Tripp, Westport’s unofficial historian and the last resident of the Handy House. All proceeds from the sale of this special cookbook will support the restoration and preservation of the Handy House by the Westport Historical Society. Besides researching Westport's history, Eleanor, who loved to cook, collected a vast number of recipes.
This book includes over 200 of her tasty recipes, along with a dedication to Mrs. Tripp and a little taste of Handy House history. The Handy 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.
If you would like to order the cookbook by mail, please click on this link
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Norma Judson, who has spent many hours selecting recipes for the cookbook, described Eleanor as the “Queen of Flour.” The fragrance of baking bread and simple dishes were always wafting from the Handy House. She loved to cook simple, basic recipes. Her kitchen was primitive and she often used her fireplaces and she shunned microwaves.
The baker will find recipes for over a dozen varieties of yeast breads (some with a Swedish flavor, reflecting Eleanor's Scandinavian origins), plus quick breads, muffins, cookies and cakes. Locavores will appreciate Eleanor's emphasis on local vegetables, seafood and good soups. They will find close to 20 veggie dishes and almost as many soups. Remember the casserole? Some of these main dish favorites are revived here.
Penny Hadfield, Blair Walker, Elisabeth Mundel and Norma Judson met regularly for months to select the tastiest and most interesting recipes. It was a huge job trying to pare down Eleanor's 11 volume accumulation to a collection suitable for one, albeit very sizable, book. Designed by Geraldine Millham, the cookbook also includes many photographs of the historic Handy House, as well as information about the significance of the property.
The Handy House Cookbook is available for purchase ($19.95 plus tax) at Partners, Lees Market, and the Westport Historical Society. Mail order forms for the cookbook are available . For more information is available at www.westporthistory.com or by calling 508 636 6011. The Handy House Cookbook is funded by the Westport Cultural Council through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by Bank of America