Westport Museum for History and Culture

Dress Construction Viewing and Activities
2023-07-12 12:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Chats on the Past: Cheyney McKnight
2023-07-20 18:00 - 19:00
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
