Blog
Read about the latest research, projects, events, exhibits and programs at the museum in our blog post feed.
- This 1970s Cult Inspired Abusive Teen Rehabilitation Methods Still Used Today
Researched and written by the Westport Museum, this article was originally published in Teen Vogue on January 8th, 2024. The news has been filled with exposés about aggressive rehabilitation programs using “tough love” to treat everything from addiction to “converting” LGBTQ+ people to a straight lifestyle. But the roots of … - Where Are the Period Rooms?
New staff member, Sasha Arellano, remembrances of the museum and why the historically themed spaces were retired. When I applied to work at the Westport Museum for History & Culture in May of this year, I didn’t even realize it was no longer called the “Historical Society.” I remembered having … - Black History Month in Connecticut: Lessons About Race
The fight for equality of education—and for respect in the classroom for children and teachers of color—in Connecticut towns can be traced back nearly two hundred years. Entrenched social biases had long created de-facto segregation within the state’s education system. In 1831, the citizens of New Haven successfully fought the opening … - Fighting for Freedom: Black Soldiers in the Civil War and Connecticut’s 29th Colored Regiment
In 1863, Governor Buckingham authorized a bill calling volunteers to make up the 29th Regiment Colored Volunteers. - A Brief Glimpse into the History and Fashions of Gay Weddings
Connecticut became one of the first states to legalize gay marriage in 2008, but the fight for marriage equality in the U.S. continued. - I Thee Wed: Bridal fashion from the Collection
The white wedding dress is probably the most significant part of the scene but has this always been the case? - Bittersweet: Chocolate in the American Colonies
Caribbean foods like pineapple, allspice, and cocoa were precious to wealthy port families like Charleston, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. - New Year’s Day Traditions
As with other cultures, certain traditions were followed on New Year’s Day in colonial America—many of which placed the day above Christmas as a festive day. - From Henry Street to Westport
A nurse and humanitarian, Lillian Wald was a noted pioneer of American public health who lived at the “House on The Pond” in Westport. - Town Poet Laureate Diane Lowman on The History of Everyday Poetry in Westport
A whole host of cultural illuminati have lived or worked in Westport for a time. Famously, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald wrote, and Desi loved Lucy.
Browse Blog Posts by Category