Westport Civic and Community Organizations, 1700s-2000s

Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains documentation related to civic and community organizations in Westport, CT.
Extent:
15 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [Box no]., Westport Civic and Community Organizations, Westport Museum for History and Culture

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents civic and community organizations in Westport.

Biographical / historical:

Like many other towns in New England, Westport's roots are in the Native Americans who frequented the area years ago. The colonial settlers came from three surrounding towns – Norwalk, Fairfield, and Weston, parts of which comprised Westport. The river was the dividing line between Norwalk and Fairfield, and vital to farmers as a pathway to markets for their produce. A small community of wharves, warehouses, stores and a tavern grew up on both sides of the river to become the Village of Saugatuck. The first church built in Westport was the Green's Farms Congregational Church, in 1711, and it served as the focal point of all town activities, from running the schools to collecting the taxes. After the Revolutionary War, the Village of Saugatuck began to grow as a shipping center. In the 1830s, Daniel Nash, a leading resident, together with 130 other villagers made an application to the Connecticut General Assembly to incorporate Westport as a town. The charter was granted May 28, 1835.

Acquisition information:
Materials in the collection were donated by civic and community organizations.
Arrangement:

Series 1: Organizations A-I

Series 2: Organizations J-S

Series 3: Organizations T-Z

Physical location:
Westport Museum for History and Culture Archives Room

Indexed terms

Places:
Westport (Conn.)--History.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Westport Museum for History and Culture.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [Box no]., Westport Civic and Community Organizations, Westport Museum for History and Culture

Location of this collection:
25 Avery Place
Westport , CT 06880
Contact:
archives@westporthistory.org
(203) 222-1424
http://www.westporthistory.org/