Westport Museum for History and Culture

Exhibition Curator Tour: “Playful Pastimes”
2024-09-12 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Join our curators for a behind the scenes tour of our newest exhibit Playful Pastimes that explores the golden age of “accessible leisure” when everyday folks found themselves with leisure time and extra cash. See how Americans indulged in a variety of fun hobbies and activities from sand and surf to ports, board games, the circus or even bicycle races to name a few. You’ll glimpse unique artifacts from the Museum’s collection including images and artifacts from Westport’s sports teams, a wooden bicycle, an homage to silent film and much more. See the artifacts up close, and learn how this interactive big-top style exhibit came to life.

Tickets are $10 for nonmembers, free for members. Registration is available below. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Chats on the Past: Marilyn Chambers
2024-09-18 12:00 - 13:00
Join author Jared Stearns to discuss Pure: The Sexual Revolutions of Marilyn Chambers (Headpress 2024). The untold story of the world’s most famous X-rated star, the Westport native who rose to fame as the face of Ivory Snow laundry detergent (product tagline: 99 44/100% pure) and the star of Behind the Green Door but struggled to find her true self in a world of sex, scandal, and shattered dreams.

Chambers sustained a versatile three-decade career in entertainment, including roles in dramatic plays, a Broadway musical revue, her own television show, and the lead role in David Cronenberg’s film Rabid. But her success in adult films also proved to be her undoing. With recollections from family and friends, many of whom have never spoken publicly, along with Marilyn’s own words, and never-before-published photos, Jared Stearns vividly captures the revolutionary career of one of the twentieth century’s most misunderstood icons.

Tickets for this virtual event are free for members and $5 for nonmembers. To watch this program please use the direct link in your emailed purchase receipt.

Register online below. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

To learn more about another groundbreaking Westport woman click here to explore our online exhibition about Sigrid Schultz.

“Dragon From Chicago” Short-Film Preview
2024-09-19 19:00 - 20:00
When the rise of the German Third Reich menaced the world, American journalist Sigrid Schultz risked it all to out-scoop her male rivals and give readers the unvarnished truth – whether they wanted it or not. In partnership with Plumline Films, preview the documentary created in-part with material from Westport Museum about the preeminent American correspondent who covered Germany for the entire period between the wars: From the liberal exuberance of Weimar Berlin to the rise and fall of the Nazi regime. Appointed the first-ever woman bureau chief for The Chicago Tribune, Schultz ingeniously broke some of the biggest stories of the age. She was one of the first to see the true threat Hitler posed and was ruefully derided as “that dragon from Chicago” by Hermann Goering, the infamous Nazi deputy leader. Facing constant threats of expulsion and worse, Schultz pierced through the veil of Nazi lies in every one of her stories.

However, for all her accomplishments, Schultz’s story has been largely – and perplexingly – left out of the history books. This full-length film will explore the full arc of her extraordinary career: from her heady days as a young cub reporter covering Germany’s messy, new democratic Weimar Republic; to writing in secret under the alias “John Dickson” to avoid Nazi censors; to her anguish at seeing the Buchenwald concentration camp, followed by her descent into relative obscurity in Westport, Connecticut. What was it like to witness such a catastrophe unfold in real time, and what made her one of the greatest foreign correspondents of the 20th Century?

The Thursday evening event will feature a short preview of the unfinished film, a talkback with the film’s producer, and admission to the one-night only display of museum artifacts owned by Schultz including her war correspondent uniform. Enjoy light refreshments while learning more about this historic woman with all the evening’s proceeds going to support the museum’s award-winning exhibitions, programs and research.

Get your member tickets for $5 now, $10 for non-members. Limited quantities will be available at the door. Purchase your tickets using the online form. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Refreshments provided by Mrs. London’s Bakery & Cafè.

To learn more about Sigrid Schultz’s legacy, read our blog post and explore our virtual exhibit on her life by clicking here.

Destination Westport: Saugatuck Stories
2024-08-10 09:30 - 10:30
Explore diverse experiences as you stroll through the riverside neighborhood of Saugatuck. Situated at the mouth of the Saugatuck River at the Long Island Sound, the area has been historically significant from before European colonization, through the 20th century. Explore commerce, including the Atlantic trade, as well as 19th and early 20th century immigrant and women’s experiences in the town through the history of this area.

Bring your walking shoes as the tour covers one mile. Meet at the Saugatuck Train Station, New York bound side (45 Railroad Place).

Tickets $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Reservations are required, register below. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Space is limited to 25 persons per tour. Additional tours may be added if demand requires. If you wish to join but the tour has been sold out or are interested in a private tour, please email your interest to programs@westporthistory.org

Destination Westport: Black Stories
2024-09-28 09:30 - 11:00
Traverse downtown Westport and learn the hidden African American history of Westport, based on the Museum’s award-winning exhibit Remembered: The History of African Americans in Westport. Trained guides reveal the untold stories of the region’s Black community from colonial times through today. From enslaved people to soldiers, sailors, activists, artists, and respected citizens, this rich history is deeply explored through existing buildings and long destroyed sites. Follow along with our virtual exhibit of the same name online here.

Meet on the Westport Museum’s brick walk along Myrtle Avenue. The tour covers 1-2 miles of sidewalk walking, please bring water and suitable outdoor attire.

Tickets $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Reservations are required, register online below. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Space is limited to 25 persons per tour. Additional tours may be added if demand requires. If you wish to join but the tour has been sold out or are interested in a private tour, please email your interest to programs@westporthistory.org

Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Barnum Museum
2024-09-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06604, United States
A tornado closed the doors of the Barnum Museum in 2010. Since then, extensive repair and reconstruction have taken place at the Nationally Registered landmark. Now, for the first time a select number of visitors will be able to participate in an exclusive hard-hat tour to see the ongoing reimagining of the Barnum. This one-time tour has been created in connection with our exhibition “Playful Pastimes 1890-1910” focusing on the history of fun and games, as well as a Connecticut showman.

The Greatest Showman, P.T. Barnum created multiple museum’s including the American Museum in New York City. Barnum’s American Museum burned in 1865, and his rebuilt New Museum burned again in 1868. Following the fires Barnum left show business but in 1871 employed Westporter George Bunnell, who would become a successful showman himself. Barnum financially supported Bunnell’s New American Museum in New York in 1876. Finally, Barnum approved construction of Bridgeport’s Barnum Institute of Science and History (as the museum was originally known) as a celebration of American cultural and scientific achievement. Barnum never saw the Barnum Museum’s completion before his death in 1891, but the site became an icon for showman of the era including Bunnell.

The Saturday afternoon event at the Barnum Museum will feature a 30-minute hard-hat tour of the historic building and admission to an exhibit of items related to Barnum’s life including furniture owned by General Tom Thumb, who was among both Barnum and Bunnell’s most famed performers. Enjoy light refreshments, mocktails, and virtual content while waiting for your tour. The evening’s proceeds will go to support both the Barnum and the Westport Museum. One free admission ticket for the Westport Musuem’s exhibit (to be used through December 28th) is also included with your event purchase.

Get your tickets for $75 per person now using our online form. Only 20 tickets are available for this private tour. Tickets are fully refundable up to one week before the tour and 50% refundable up to 24 hours before the tour. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Can’t make the event but want to support the museum? Make a tax-deductible donation using our donation form linked here.

Daring Dinner Escape Room
2024-10-01 11:30 - 19:00, 2024-10-01 11:30 - 20:00, 2024-10-01 11:30 - 2025-06-28 20:00
As a famous reporter investigating the rising National Socialist German Workers’ Party in Germany, you’re not surprised to receive an invitation at the home of a top German General for a dinner party. After a tip that this General owns top-secret documents that could reveal vital information about what the Germans are planning, you accept. Arriving early, you sneak into the house and steal a glimpse of these documents before dinner starts. However, you are on a strict time limit – the General and his dinner guests will arrive in 60 minutes. If you are caught with these documents, the consequences will be dire. Can you find the information before you are found out?

This is a great group activity! Wonderful for birthdays, company activities or a club outing. Fun for the whole family, this escape room is recommended for children over eight. Online waiver acknowledgment is required prior to entry into the escape room. Those 17 and under must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Participants under 15 must have an adult ticket holder in their group.

Tickets $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Groups of 2-10 people. Reservations are required, select your date and time online. Reservations close 48 hours prior to their posted start date. You may make your reservation private for an additional $10 per group.

Tickets may be purchased with the online form. To book a private session or use your member discount, please email the museum at info@westporthistory.org.

Time slots are available Tuesdays-Thursdays from 11:30 am to 5 pm; on Fridays and Saturdays slots run from 11:30 am through 8 pm. All reservations last for 60 minutes, with the recommendation of arriving 15 minutes prior to your start time.

Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt. Groups arriving 15 minutes after their reservation start time will have their reservation cancelled without a refund.

Sponsored, in part, by Cohen and Wolfe

Destination Westport: Art from the Beyond Walking Tour
2024-10-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Greens Farm Lower Cemetery, Nyala Farms Rd, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Ever wondered why you shouldn’t walk on a grave or why there are so many skulls on tombstones? Do you know the story of Connecticut’s witch trials?

Join WM Assistant Director Nicole Carpenter at the Greens Farms Lower Cemetery to discuss the 18th and 19th century superstitions associated with cemeteries and the dearly departed. Hear the tale of Westport’s accused witches and see the oldest gravestone in the burial ground. Learn what urns, willow trees and other artistic symbols on gravestones mean as you meander through the cemetery.

Park on Nyala Farms Road and meet on the marked green at the back entrance to the cemetery. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring bottled water on the walking tour — the ground is uneven and the weather may be warm. This tour is not handicap accessible.

Tickets $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Purchase your tickets online here. Please note reservations are required. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Space is limited to 25 persons per tour. Additional tours may be added if demand requires. If you wish to join the walking tour but it has been sold out or are interested in a private tour, please email your interest to programs@westporthistory.org

Join us for more Spooktober programs, exploring the darker side of history. Click here to explore more.

Real and Genuine, Faked and Forged: Fantastical Stories and Objects from the Barnum Museum Collection
2024-10-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
The Barnum Museum holds a world of wonders. From Tom Thumb’s miniature boots and carriages to ethnographic materials from cultures the world over, the museum’s collection is a veritable cabinet of curiosities. Even the most mundane seeming items have interesting stories regarding their use, creation, display, or history…and some are fakes which also weave an intriguing tale.

Among their shelves lurks an Egyptian mummy and coffin whose stories were first entwined in 1894; a FeeJee Mermaid for whom a captain sold a ship he did not own; early glass milk bottles created to stop an epidemic; a 17th century spoon which was as personal as a toothbrush and as handy as a swiss army knife; and two Medieval knives that stymied top archaeologists and British antiques dealers for half a century.

Join us to see items from the Barnum Museum’s collection in-person. This program is free to the public, but reservations are required, register online with the form below. Donations for both the Westport and Barnum Museums are greatly appreciated.

Join us for more Spooktober programs, exploring the darker side of history. Click here to explore more.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Reading by Washington Irving
2024-10-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
The ghostly apparition of Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, has been resurrected for a special reading of his frightful tale about the Headless Horseman. Audiences of all ages are encouraged to hear an abbreviated version of his famous story in our historic barn. Enjoy light refreshments while you listen.

Tickets free for members, $5 for non-members. Become a member today to attend this program for free. Members receive discounts on most programs.

Reservations are required, register online with the form below. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Join us for more Spooktober programs, exploring the darker side of history. Click here to explore more.

Destination Westport: Westport Sanitarium Walking Tour
2024-10-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Winslow Dog Park, 25 CT-136, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Though the buildings are long gone, the site of the Westport Sanitarium—one of two in Westport—stood in what is, today, Winslow Park. Follow our docent through the park and discover the tales of the administrators, doctors and patients that lived and worked in the sanitariums. See images from the time and ear tales of heartbreak, control, medicine, life and death on this unique walking tour.

Meet on the cement path in front of the parking lot along Compo Road North. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring bottled water — the ground is uneven and the weather may be warm.

Tickets $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Reservations are required, register online below. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Space is limited to 25 persons per tour. Additional tours may be added if demand requires. If you wish to join but the tour has been sold out or are interested in a private tour, please email your interest to programs@westporthistory.org

Join us for more Spooktober programs, exploring the darker side of history. Click here to explore more.

Destination Westport: Dark History
2024-10-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Sneak along the paths of downtown as you hear curious tales from the darker side of Westport’s past. Care for a stroll along the waters that once contained the runoff of the Embalmers Supply Company? Peek into the windows of the former Coffin Tack factory, rest at a speakeasy, and hear about the Westport Museum’s resident ghost.

Meet on the Westport Museum’s brick walk along Myrtle Avenue. The tour covers 1-2 miles of sidewalk walking, please bring water and suitable outdoor attire.

Tickets $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Reservations are required, register online below. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Space is limited to 25 persons per tour. Additional tours may be added if demand requires. If you wish to join but the tour has been sold out or are interested in a private tour, please email your interest to programs@westporthistory.org

Join us for more Spooktober programs, exploring the darker side of history. Click here to explore more.

Native American Healing Workshop
2024-11-05 18:30 - 19:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Join the Westport Museum as we welcome Clan Mother Shoran Waupatukuay Piper of the Golden Hill Paugussett tribe for a one-of-a-kind workshop about traditional Native healing techniques. Learn how to create a soothing salve ointment through this rare hands-on experience.

Clan Mother Piper, in addition to being well-versed in indigenous healing methods, is the tribal leader of the Paugussett nation and wider community, and an accomplished author. Her book “Red Road: Traditional Voice of Afro-Indigenous American” was published in 2021 and is described as a work where “you will learn and understand the true real authentic Afro-Indigenous American and Indigenous American traditional ways.”

Tickets are $30 per person, $25 for members. Register using the form below to save your spot. Workshops limited to 12 attendees, save your spot with the reservation form below before we sell out! To support the museum and take advantage of membership discounts, please join today!

Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Can’t make this event, but want to learn about the vital role the Paugussett Tribe plays in our community? Come to our plaque dedication on November 23rd that will not only celebrate the Indigenous peoples whose land we occupy, but also the countless members of the African American community who made Westport the town it is today.

Toys for Tots
2024-11-08 11:00 - 2024-12-13 17:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Participate in the spirit of giving this winter by donating a toy to a child in need! Westport Museum is once again collecting unwrapped toy donations to support Toys for Tot’s mission of delivering hope and joy to children this festive season.

This year, Toys for Tots has a few areas of need that they have outlined. The gifts that they believe will make the holiday season special in our community are books in either Spanish or Haitian Creole, toys for newborns (such as teethers), and toys for teenagers up to eighteen.

Just one gift could put a smile on the face of a child in need.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Looking for a convenient time to drop off a gift? Join us for one of the many programs we’re hosting as part of our Holly Days programming!

Tuesday Treasure: Leisure Clothing
2024-11-12 12:30 - 13:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
On a lazy Sunday you might pull on your sweatpants and throw on your favorite t-shirt, but what were Westporters wearing during their down time in the late 19th and early 20th century? While things have certainly changed, humans have always been looking for ways to unwind. From sports uniforms to bathing suits, what people wore while they had fun can tell us a whole lot about how they spent their free hours.

Tuesday Treasures is an online programming series showcasing objects from our collection not normally on public view. See and hear the stories behind some of the most unique, mysterious, and impactful artifacts in our community.

To watch live and ask questions, join our YouTube broadcast here. Can’t join us live? No problem! You can watch this program and many others online for free on our YouTube channel.

Like our programs? We’d appreciate your support! Suggested donation of $5 continues our unique programming. Visit our donation form.

Want to learn more about the leisure activities Westporters were dressing up for? Come see our Playful Pastimes exhibit that is currently displayed here at the Westport Museum!

Book Evaluation with Head to Tail Books
2024-11-16 13:00 - 16:00
Would you like to have your vintage books evaluated? Ever wondered what stories they might tell other than what’s written on the page? Make an appointment at the museum to meet with Michele Wan, proprietor of Head to Tail Books, to learn more about your old books.

Examples of materials to bring for evaluation:

Handpress-era books

Modern books

First editions

Books by authors from marginalized or underrepresented communities (people of color, LGBTQ+, women, etc.)

Historical and fine bindings

Quirky and unusual publications

Ephemera and manuscripts (letters, notes, advertisements, etc.)

30-minute appointments cost $75 and may be made for no more than 5 items. Should you have over 5 items, please contact Ms. Wan for a private appointment on another day.

Appointment bookings can be reserved with the form below.

Head to Tail Books is a bookstore for rare, vintage, and collectible books, open online and by appointment in Westport, Connecticut. Prior to establishing the store, Ms. Wan cataloged rare books and manuscripts as the Special Collections Cataloging Librarian for Columbia University Libraries. She also managed the CABS-Minnesota Diverse Voices Fellowship for early-career booksellers from 2021-2023. Ms. Wan attended Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, as well as the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar.

Opinions of value are informal and may not be used for insurance or charitable donation, which require a certified appraisal.

Dress Construction Viewing
2024-11-20 13:00 - 17:00
Ever wanted to know how a dress from your favorite period drama was made? Have questions about fashion from the past?

Join our Assistant Director, Nicole Carpenter, as she creates a reproduction gown based on 18th century examples and techniques. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions about the process of creating a gown, the history of mantua-makers or dress makers, and the Museum’s textile collection. Visitors can also try textile art objects like a spinning wheel, loom, and embroidery hoops for themselves.

Interested in learning more about our textile collection? Book a private collection event or group lecture to experience unique items up close. Use our contact form to learn more.

Black & Indigenous History Plaque Dedication
2024-11-23 16:30 - 17:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Westport Museum will be dedicating a permanent plaque honoring the native peoples of this area—the Golden Hill Paugussett tribe as well as the area’s earliest Black residents. The dedication will be followed by a brief reception with light refreshments. Further information on both groups will be available.

The Paugussett people have been residing in the area of what is now southeast Connecticut area for nearly 7500 years but were pushed out of the region in 1639. The plaque will honor their history while acknowledging their ongoing struggle for Federal recognition. Likewise, Black Westporters have been integral to the creation of Connecticut—and the nation at large—but have largely gone unrecognized. Their memorial recognizes the earliest individuals of color, almost entirely enslaved, who made our town.

Like our programs? We’d appreciate your support! Suggested donation of $5 continues our unique programming. Visit our donation form.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Holiday Wreath Workshop
2024-11-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Make your own festive décor at our holiday wreath workshop. Led by the Westport Garden Club, your personal creation will add a touch of jovial cheer to your home.

Included in your registration is one 20”-26″ evergreen wreath, a decorative bow, natural trim, and embellishments. We encourage you to bring your own gloves and any favorite decor, ornaments or trimmings you might like to use.

Tickets are $65 per person, $55 for members. Register using the form below to save your spot. Workshops limited to 12 attendees, save your spot with the reservation form below before we sell out! To support the museum and take advantage of membership discounts, please join today!

A waiting list is available if all spaces are sold, email programming@westporthistory.org to be placed on the list. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Not feeling crafty? Visit the Museum’s Winter Market on December 7th to participate in a plethora of festive activities in downtown Westport!

Join us for more Holly Days programs, festive activities for the whole family! Click here to explore more.

Winter Market
2024-12-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
This family-friendly event will bring the holiday spirit to downtown Westport. View our gingerbread village of local buildings, explore our local vendor booths, enjoy the warming fire and hot chocolate, and much more.

While you shop, visit Santa and get a photograph! Santa is double checking his list and will have a candy cane or sticker for each visitor.

Have a one-of-a-kind hand cut silhouette crafted right before your eyes. Reservations for silhouette appointments may be made in the form below.

This is a FREE event offered on the grounds of the museum. Like our programs? We’d appreciate your support! Suggested donation of $5, continues our unique programming. Visit our donation form.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Join us for more Holly Days programs, festive activities for the whole family! Click here to explore more.

Cultural Fellowship
2024-12-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Join the Westport Museum for History & Culture for our second annual Cultural Fellowship! This free event celebrates the many different wintertime celebrations that are not only celebrated here in Westport, but across the world. Come enjoy a warming fire, festive music, yummy treats and fun activities, all while learning a little more about the rich cultures that have found a home in Westport and the surrounding area.

This evening program will feature international celebrations and traditions including Indigenous winter festivities, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, Christmas and many others.

Do you have a winter cultural tradition that you want to share? Contact our programming associate at programming@westporthistory.org, before December 1st, if you’re interested in hosting a table.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Park on Myrtle Avenue and Avery Place or behind Westport Town Hall or in the Baldwin Parking lot.

Like our programs? We’d appreciate your support as Westport Museum is a 501(c)3 museum not affiliated with or funded by the Town of Westport! A suggested donation of $5 continues our unique programming. Visit our donation form here.

Gingerbread Cookie Decorating
2024-12-14 13:00 - 15:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Two for the price of one! One ticket covers two gingerbread cookies to be decorated this season at Westport Museum for History & Culture. Bring your favorite person or get to decorating on your own at this festive event!

Each pair receives their choice of two gingerbread cookies, assorted candy, and icing to decorate as well as staff to give recommendations. These cookies will be a delicious seasonal souvenir. A great activity for parents and children, couples, and friends to be together during the most festive time of the year.

Tickets are $15 per pair, $10 for members and includes all materials. Reservations may be made at 1 pm or 2:30 pm; each workshop lasts for approximately 60 minutes. Workshops are limited to 6 pairs during each time slot, save your spot in the form below before we sell out!

To support the museum and take advantage of membership discounts, please join today! Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Join us for more Holly Days programs, festive activities for the whole family! Click here to explore more.

Cookies provided by Alina’s Cakes & Cookies

Join us for more Holly Days programs, festive activities for the whole family! Click here to explore more.

Ornament Making
2024-12-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Are you looking for a truly unique ornament to celebrate this holiday season? Grab a buddy and join us any time between December 17th and 20th, to create a memory, build a custom ornament and enjoy some hot cocoa in our historic 7-sided cobblestone barn! This is an ideal family fun event.

$5 entry includes hot cocoa and all materials for your group of two.

When you drop in, peruse our shop for holiday gifts—your purchases support the museum! Museum members receive a discount in our shop, including holiday merchandise and year-round programs. To support the museum and take advantage of membership discounts, please join today!

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Click here to explore more Holly Days programs, festive activities for the whole family like our Winter Market on December 7th!

"A Christmas Carol" Live Dramatic Reading
2024-12-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Mr. Charles Dickens reads A Christmas Carol, his classic yuletide tale live. Join us in our newly restored 19th century barn to hear Julliard trained actor Greg Porretta read the rousing story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a host of holiday ghosts, and the beloved Tiny Tim. Hot chocolate and sweets treats will be available, for a donation, to enjoy as you listen.

Register using the form below to save your seat! Reservations required.

Tickets free for members, $5 for non-members. Become a member today to attend this program for free. Members receive discounts on most programs.

Join us for more Holly Days programs, festive activities for the whole family! Click here to explore more.

Plum Pudding Cooking Workshop
2024-12-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
No dessert says “Christmas” quite like plum pudding. This delectably moist, confection, heady with the flavor of brandy, is a Victorian tradition that recalls the charming holidays of yore. Join our Executive Director, Ramin Ganeshram, a trained chef, food historian and award-winning cookbook author to talk about the history of plum pudding and to make your own special mix of brandy-soaked fruit and pudding mix to take home and bake or give as a gift!

Tickets are $40 per person, $30 for members. Register using the form below to save your spot. Workshops limited to 12 attendees, save your spot with the reservation form below before we sell out! To support the museum and take advantage of membership discounts, please join today!

Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Join us for more Holly Days programs, festive activities for the whole family! Click here to explore more.

Sip and Shop
2025-01-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Looking for a fun and fashionable way to spend an evening after work? Come down to the Westport Museum’s upcoming Sip and Shop!

Enjoy a glass of wine while you browse the unique offerings of our gift shop. Between handcrafted decor from our staff, beautiful coffee table books, and many local artisan creations there is something to be found for every type of shopper.

Surprise someone special in your life and help support local history. Purchasing from our shop isn’t just a great way to show someone you care, but supporting culture around the corner is the gift that keeps on giving with our award-winning programs and exhibits that YOUR purchase helps support.

Enjoy high quality at a low price with our special event discount! Our Sip and Shop will feature a 20% discount on most items— 25% for holiday goods.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Park on Myrtle Avenue and Avery Place or behind Westport Town Hall or in the Baldwin Parking lot. Westport Museum is a 501(c)3 museum not affiliated with or funded by the Town of Westport. Please support our work by donating here.

Tuesday Treasure: Phonograph Cylinders
2025-01-21 12:30 - 13:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Today, you can listen to your favorite song with a few taps on your smartphone. Even if you’re a little more old-fashioned, you can have a record or CD spinning within a minute or so. However, the earliest lovers of recorded music didn’t have the luxury of such simple mechanisms. Phonograph cylinders were the earliest way people were able to record audio, and the Museum will be sharing some of our own during our upcoming Tuesday Treasure showcase.

Tuesday Treasures is an online programming series showcasing objects from our collection not normally on public view. See and hear the stories behind some of the most unique, mysterious, and impactful artifacts in our community.

To watch live and ask questions, join our YouTube broadcast here. Can’t join us live? No problem! You can watch this program and many others online for free on our YouTube channel.

Like our programs? We’d appreciate your support! Suggested donation of $5 continues our unique programming. Visit our donation form.

Want to learn more about other ways Westporters were spending their free time at the turn of the century? Come see our Playful Pastimes exhibit that is currently displayed here at the Westport Museum!

Monte Carlo Masquerade Casino Night
2025-02-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Don your finest mask, evening wear or costume to join the Westport Museum for History & Culture for our casino, Monte Carlo Masquerade Casino Night. Enjoy casino games, signature cocktails, delicious food, and prize drawings for casino winnings at this special event.

Take part in some glamourous fun at our gambling-to-give gaming tables! Try your hand at three different casino games with all the evening’s proceeds going to support the museum’s award-winning exhibitions, programs and research.

Your ticket includes admission onto the red carpet, refreshments, entertainments, and $25 dollars’ worth of casino chips. Additional casino chips may be added to your ticket purchase.

Tickets are limited, get yours today for $80 per person, $70 for members. Limited quantities may be available at the door.

Purchase your tickets using the online form. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you must cancel, we will consider your purchase a tax-deductible donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt.

Westport Museum is accessible via public transit! The Westport-Saugatuck railroad station has connections on the MTA New Haven line from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and New Haven, and more. Uber 2.3 miles to the Museum or take the Norwalk Wheels bus transit system when available to Post Road West at Myrtle Avenue, which is a brief 7-minute walk from the Museum!

Park on Myrtle Avenue and Avery Place or behind Westport Town Hall or in the Baldwin Parking lot. Westport Museum is a 501(c)3 museum not affiliated with or funded by the Town of Westport. Please support our work by donating here.

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