Bradley-Wheeler Barn, Museum of Westport History, Wesport
– Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
The Fairfield County town of Westport is located in the southern part of the state on the Long Island Sound. The first white settlers to the area were farming families, who called the area Green’s Farm. In 1835 the town incorporated and the name changed to Westport. By the 19th century the town became a bustling shipping center and the leading onion growing center in the US. By the early 20th century, Westport had a lively arts community that attracted artists, musicians, and writers. The later 20th century saw Westport become an upscale residential community and suburb of New York City. It has been depicted in numerous books and movies.
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Places
Connecticut Freedom Trail. “Green Farms Burying Ground,” 2016. Link.
Connecticut Freedom Trail. “Henry and Lyzette Munroe House,” 2016. Link.
Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. “Sherwood Island State Park,” 2016. Link.
“Westport Country Playhouse,” 2016. Link.
“Westport Historical Society,” 2016. Link.
Westport Historical Society. “Wheeler House,” 2016. Link.
Documents
“Map - Town of Westport, Fairfield Co. Conn. (Petersen Collection).” Westport, CT, ca 1868. University of Connecticut Libraries - Map and Geographic Information Center - MAGIC. Link.
Connecticut State Library Digital Collections. “Westport - WPA Architectural Survey,” 2016. Link.
“Westport Collection.” Connecticut Digital Archive, n.d. Link.
Books
McCain, Diana. Connecticut Coast: A Town-by-Town Illustrated History. Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press, 2009.
Hurd, D. Hamilton, ed. History of Fairfield County, Connecticut with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Philadelphia, PA: J.W. Lewis & Company, 1881. Link.
Scheffler, William. Westport and Weston Connecticut. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 1998.
Scheffler, William. Westport and Weston Connecticut: In Vintage Postcards. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2001.
Westport Historical Society, and Woody Klein. Westport, Connecticut: The Story of a New England Town’s Rise to Prominence. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2000.
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