Westport Museum for History and Culture

Free First Saturdays
2023-09-02 11:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
First Saturdays are a great opportunity to experience what we have to offer at the Westport Museum free of charge on the first Saturday of each month.

Young visitors can enjoy a scavenger hunt in the museum, the diorama of Westport featuring an audio tour by Joanne Woodward, coloring pages, colonial games and more. Adult visitors will enjoy our wide array of exhibits. Our 2023 exhibitions include Legacy: The Adairs of Westport, Bittersweet: Chocolate in the American Colonies, I Thee Wed: Bridal Fashion from the Collections, Reluctant Liberators: Westport in the Civil War, Becoming Westport, and our local history gallery.

Thursday Treasure: Dolls
2023-10-05 18:00 - 18:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Whether you find them creepy or cute, dolls remain popular toys and collectibles amongst children and adults. From the sweet to the sinister, take a look at dolls housed in the museum’s collection. Just as the famous Annabelle doll calls Connecticut home, you may find some… hauntingly beautiful dolls right here in Westport. Make sure to let us know if one starts moving on its own – these dolls aren’t mechanical!

Thursday Treasures is a Westport Museum programming series showcasing objects from the 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.

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

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

“Who Was Accused in the Salem Witch Trials?: Tituba” with Illustrator Rowan MacColl
2023-09-30 16:00 - 17:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Join us for an in-person discussion with the illustrator of Who Was Accused in the Salem Witch Trials?: Tituba, a graphic novel exploring the Salem witch trials through the eyes of Tituba, one of the first women to be accused of witchcraft.

Follow the terrifying events of the 1692 Salem witch trials from the perspective of Tituba, an enslaved woman who was accused of bewitching two girls, Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams, during this harrowing, historic period. A story of speculation, mass hysteria, and survival, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves into this haunting moment in American history—brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page.

Light refreshments will be served. Registration highly recommended, register here.

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

Felt Pumpkin Kits
2023-09-27 11:00 - 2023-10-31 17:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Our felt pumpkin kits are the perfect craft to celebrate the spooky season. Celebrate a spooktacular Halloween with your own miniature pumpkin creation! Miniature pumpkin kits will include one felt pumpkin, stuffing, felt face pieces, coloring book and a lollipop.

Participants may drop in anytime between 11am and 5pm to decorate a miniature pumpkin. Can’t stay? Pumpkin decorating kits are available for purchase in the museum’s shop to make your unique creations at home.

Kits $5 to cover supplies. Purchase your kits here. 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 Walking Tour: Evergreen Burial Ground
2023-09-16 09:30 - 10:30 | Evergreen Cemetery, Evergreen Avenue, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Survey the resting place of past Westporters and learn their stories as you meander through Saugatuck Congregational Church’s Evergreen Cemetery. Discover gravestones belonging to everyday citizens as well as prominent individuals and families.

Meet at the southernmost entrance of the cemetery along Evergreen Avenue. 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 here. 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: In Gatsby’s Shoes
2023-09-02 09:30 - 11:00 | Longshore Marina, 260 Compo Rd S, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Imagine it’s the summer of 1920. Westport is a sleepy farm community that lures New York’s most glamorous couple-F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald—to its shores.

Seeking respite from their whirlwind Jazz era lives, the Fitzgeralds set up in an 18th century farmhouse that has seen Revolution and the building of a nation over many decades. Zelda swims daily in the peaceful waters of the Long Island Sound while Scott takes advantage of the bucolic quiet to work on what he hopes will be his next great novel — The Great Gatsby. Join the Museum, as we recreate the summer of 1920 and the sites and characters that influenced Fitzgerald’s Great American novel.

Come prepared for a gorgeous, vigorous 90-minute walk in one of the East Coast’s most beautiful settings. Please bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Parking Information: Guests should park at Longshore Marina, along the asphalt and dirt areas, in Lot F.

Tickets $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Reservations are required, register here. 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.

Dress Construction Viewing and Activities
2023-07-12 12:30 - 17:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Ever wanted to know how a dress from your favorite period drama was made? Have questions about fashion from the past?
Join our Director of Programs and Collections, 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.
This gown will be worn by the bride during our fall Mock Colonial Wedding, on September 16th. Interested in attending? Registration is required and can be made with the form below.

Westport-wide Scavenger Hunt
2023-08-19 00:00 - 2023-09-09 23:59 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Riddle me this! Can you find all 12 of the Museum’s town history “quilt” squares? Hidden around town at partner locations are 12”x12” beautifully designed artworks inspired by town monuments, buildings and industries mimicking the quilt style. Solve a riddle (pay close attention to the highlighted words) for the location and write down your answer about which animal is on each board when you find them. If you get stuck, you can always ask the Museum for a hint.
Once you’ve found at least 8, return your sheet to the Museum before 5 pm on September 9th to be entered for a chance to win one of two great family friendly prizes—two tickets to our Sanitarium Escape Room or Haunted House.
Many notable sites in Westport have taken a panel and cleverly placed them somewhere on their property. It’s your job to find them!
Winners will be randomly selected from completed packets that are returned to the Museum by September 9th at 5 pm. Winners will be notified through email.
Scavenger hunt kits are free for Family Members and above, $5 for nonmembers. Register here to access and receive a scavenger hunt download. Tickets are nonrefundable. In the event you cannot participate, we will consider your purchase a donation and will happily issue you a donation receipt. This program is active until September 9, 2023.

Legacy: the Adairs of Westport
2023-08-17 00:00 - 2023-12-30 23:59 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
For nearly one hundred years Benjamin Adair and his descendants called Westport home. Likely born into slavery in North Carolina, Adair built a prosperous life through a series of smart investments and his association with financier Morris Ketchum. Married to Ursula Mingo of Long Island’s Shinnecock nation, for decades Adair’s daughters became prominent educators and creatives, yet their story and Westport Legacy was interrupted when the family lost their homestead through unfair real estate taxation. Rediscovered in 2020, their legacy is re-explored in this exhibit built using artifacts from descendants.
This exhibit is included in the ticket price for visitors. It is on display until November 11, 2023.

I Thee Wed: Bridal Fashion from the Collections
2023-08-17 00:00 - 2023-12-30 23:59 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Visitors can explore several examples of wedding gowns—both white and the less traditional—in the Museum’s collection in I Thee Wed: Western Bridal Fashion from the Collection. Discover how these iconic dresses and their place in the world of fashion relate to wealth, class, gender, and women’s rights. Or try creating your own wedding dress with fashions from around the world at our interactive magnet wall.
This exhibit is included in the ticket price for visitors. It is on display until November 11, 2023.

Bittersweet: Chocolate in the American Colonies
2023-08-17 00:00 - 2023-12-30 23:59 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Experience the growing, harvesting, and historical process of making cocoa in Westport Museum’s hands-on exhibition that explores the connection between chocolate and Westport’s mercantile past in the 18th and 19th century. Learn more about the history of the cocoa industry in the American colonies and how the Saugatuck River and other regional waterways supported this trade.
This exhibit is included in the ticket price for visitors. It is on display until November 11, 2023.

Exhibition Curator Tour: “Legacy: The Adairs of Westport”
2023-08-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Join our curators to immerse yourself in the story of the Adair family in this special tour of our exhibit “Legacy: The Adairs of Westport.” Hear the fascinating story of how the Westport Museum brought to light a family that Westport had forgotten. See the artifacts up close, and learn how the exhibit came to life through years of research and an intense writing and design process.
Pre-registration required. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase 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: Cheyney McKnight
2023-07-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Join us for an in-person discussion with social media influencer Cheyney McKnight. Known for her online work at Not Your Momma’s History (@notyourmommashistory) she is a living historian of African American history. McKnight brings to light the histories of enslaved Africans – from whom she is descended, as well those of the generations that followed. These stories are often overlooked or forgotten entirely in the historical narrative. McKnight is also the Living History Coordinator at DiMenna Children’s Museum at New York Historical Society. Come to the Museum to hear McKnight speak about her fascinating work and learn how people like McKnight are helping to give us a more complete picture of America’s history.
The Westport Museum and Not Your Momma’s History are collaborating to create a series of videos documenting Black history in Westport and surrounding communities, focusing on African American women. Stay tuned for more!
Event is limited to 40 attendees, so grab your spot! Register for free below.

Destination Westport: Saugatuck Stories Walking Tour
2023-07-15 09:30 - 10:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
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 nonmembers. 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: Evergreen Burial Ground
2023-07-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Survey the resting place of past Westporters and learn their stories as you meander through Saugatuck Congregational Church’s Evergreen Cemetery. Discover gravestones belonging to everyday citizens as well as prominent individuals and families.
Meet at the southernmost entrance of the cemetery along Evergreen Avenue. 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 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

Getting Creative: Wartime Weddings in the US and UK
2023-06-07 12:30 - 13:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Did you know that, during World War II, wedding rates skyrocketed? It seemed soldiers and civilians alike were rushing to the altar. However, due to limited resources in the US and fabric restrictions in the UK, brides had to get creative. Come and hear about the unique ways women found to make wedding dresses for their wartime weddings.
We encourage participants to bring a bagged lunch to enjoy while listening. Registration is strongly recommended, sign up below.

LGBTQ Oral Histories Wanted!
2023-06-01 - 2023-07-15 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
12:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Westport Pride and the Westport Museum for History & Culture have joined forces to create a new LGBTQ Oral History Project!
Historically, queer narratives have been conspicuously absent from community archives, leaving a void in the historical record. This omission is a consequence of the pervasive bias and criminalization endured by gay, trans, and nonbinary citizens throughout history.
Want your story to be heard? Throughout June and July, LGBTQ Westporters can participate in our LGBTQ Oral History Project by booking a time slot for a video or in-person oral history interview with our staff.
To ensure the preservation and accessibility of these valuable interviews, the Westport Museum will house them in its digital archive. The transcripts will be integrated into finding aids, searchable through the Connecticut Digital Archive, facilitating easy access to this vital source material.
By sharing your experiences, you are making an enduring contribution to the historical narrative of Westport and empowering future generations to understand and appreciate the struggles and triumphs of LGBTQ individuals.
Use the form below to choose a slot to visit the Museum and film your oral history. Slots are available Tuesday through Friday. (Please note: the form may take an additional minute or two to load.)

Heartfelt Letters: Discussions of Grief
2023-05-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Society has been in the midst of a difficult time in global history. Many are experiencing grief, either personal or as a community. This sense of profound loss is a part of the shared human experience and can be made easier through expression in many forms.
Join us for a three-part discussion on historic collections—letters, diaries, textiles and objects—that illuminate the feelings of those who came before that reflect our modern experience. Learn how their stories progressed and how we continue to draw these stories into the light.
To register for our virtual series reserve your space below.

Unpopular Opinions: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
2023-05-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Despite their fantastical themes, the Pirates of the Caribbean movies are surprisingly accurate about the history of piracy. From characters to costumes to countries, there is some truth to many aspects of the films. Can you separate fact from fiction as we discuss the very first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, also known as The Curse of the Black Pearl? Sit back and have some laughs with Captain Jack Sparrow, but don’t forget to watch carefully and bring your thoughts to Unpopular Opinions!
Unpopular Opinions is a monthly discussion group that analyzes works of historical fiction, as well as nonfiction, for their accuracy and overall quality. Group members are encouraged to share their thoughts and questions, so grab a book, watch some TV, and get ready to share your unpopular opinions! Recommended for teen audiences and up.
Registration recommended, sign up below.

Chats on the Past: Sofi Thanhauser
2023-05-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Join us for a discussion with Sofi Thanhauser, author of Worn: A People’s History of Clothing. Thanhauser will discuss her book, a fascinating history of the textiles we use today and their origins from Louis XIV’s reign to the modern-day mass production of clothing. Learn how clothing is so much more than just a piece of fabric – it is a foundational part of our history and culture.
Register below for free.

Wedding Dress Deep Dive, Edwardian Gown
2023-05-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
In connection with our new exhibition, I Thee Wed: Bridal fashion from the Collection, take a closer look at one of our beautiful wedding dresses in detail. Learn the history of the dress, its structure, and popular styles of the time. Travel to the past as we recreate what this early 20th century dress would have looked like on a wedding day.
Visitors can explore several examples of wedding gowns—both white and the less traditional—in the Museum’s collection in I Thee Wed. Discover how these iconic dresses and their place in the world of fashion relate to wealth, class, gender, and women’s rights. Or try creating your own wedding dress with fashions from around the world at our interactive magnet wall.
Registration is strongly recommended, sign up below.

Music of the American Spirit: Black Excellence and the Sounds of the Jazz Age
2023-04-11 17:00 - 2023-04-29 21:00 | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Explore the history behind Ain’t Misbehavin’ with our new micro-exhibit in the Westport Playhouse’s lobby exploring the historical events that led to the Harlem Renaissance and the music featured in the play. This installation is the first of three exhibits accompanying productions during the theater’s 2023/24 season. Featuring costumes from Westport Museum’s collection and original research, the displays add context to the action on the stage.
