LOCATION
Just 47 miles northeast of
Manhattan, Westport is located on the Connecticut shore of the Long Island
Sound between Norwalk and Fairfield in Fairfield County. Covering 22 miles with
a population of 25,000, Westport is a vital and colorful community, rich in
history yet completely up-to-date and ready to offer an exceptional quality of
life. Easy access to the Connecticut Turnpike, The Merritt Parkway and Metro
North Railroad, has made Westport a long time haven for commuters to Manhattan,
Westchester and nearby towns.
HISTORY
Yesterday and Today - As
early as 1648, colonists settled along the shores of the Saugatuck River. Soon
stores, warehouses, and a shipping company joined the robust band of farmers
and fishermen, forging a custom-made center for trade and social activities. In
1835, Westport was granted an official charter, which established what had
already become an envied place in New England's history. Today, Westporters
still live in and around their vintage historic landmarks, relishing their
beauty and learning from their stories. Proof-positive are the designated
historic landmarks, to include the pristine Greens Farms Congregational Church
dating from 1711, the National Hall from 1875, and the Westport Town Hall from
1908.
When the era of mills and farms
was ending, Westport began its second renaissance. Famous writers, artists and
theater people flocked there and set the pace. Seeking a retreat from the noise
and bright lights of New York, they found another world just "up the mainline"
(railroad) into Connecticut. Here by the seacoast and the green woods was
escape. Inevitably, they brought change with them.
Beginning in the 1920's, the
growing stream of glittering newcomers was making Westport's legend. Through
the next decades, the town began to figure in the plays, novels, artwork and
movies generated by this talented coterie. From F. Scott Fitzgerald to Paul
Newman, Joanne Woodward and Michael Bolton, from The Man in the Gray Flannel
Suit to I love Lucy, from Westport Famous Writers', Photographers' and Artists'
Schools to Stevan Dohanos' famous covers for the Saturday Evening Post;
Westport's sparks were flying. Westport began to make a dramatic transition
from a primarily agricultural and seaport community to a suburban residential
and cultural center, as well as a resort community.
The images of the town defined a
lifestyle, invented a new vocabulary and forever fixed Westport in the American
imagination. "Playing Westport", commuters and bedroom communities came to
stay. As we approach the 21st century, the population continues to grow and
attract executives and professionals from the arenas of advertising,
communications, national and international business who have created a new
diversity. The spirit and care with which people tend to this town is what
gives it its very heart and soul. The other side of Westport is a commercial
one. The sophisticated yet informal downtown Main Street hub with its chic
boutiques, specialty shops, fine restaurants, and a high level of creativity
makes Westport a gourmet and shopping mecca. Harmoniously scaled new buildings
for corporate, retail and mixed use are carefully integrated into the
landscape. Westport keeps its small town ambiance with a real cosmopolitan
flare.
CULTURE & the ARTS
Westport, Weston and Fairfield are
cultural meccas for Fairfield County and beyond, attracting industrialists,
advertising executives, entrepreneurs and business leaders, as well as an
impressive group of internationally known artists, writers and actors, who fell
in love with its ideal combination of woodland and shoreline.
THEATRE
Westport, Weston and Fairfield have often
been called the Beverly Hills of the East, a star-spangled community of
Broadway and Hollywood luminaries. Stage and screen performers, have sought out
and settled in this area for decades. They follow in the footsteps of artists
and illustrators who first found homes and studios here in the early 1900s.
Scores of established headliners, supporting players and fledgling stars have
chosen Westport, Weston and Fairfield to put down roots - some of brief duration, others
long-lasting.
Devotion to the performing arts
is strong and broadly popular. In its 71th summer season, The Westport Country
Playhouse remains America's foremost summer theater. Its old red barn, listed
on the Connecticut Registrar of Historic Places, was first a cow barn and then
the Kemper Tanning Factory. Purchased in 1930 by Weston resident, Laurence
Langer, it was renovated for use as a playhouse. Its stage was constructed with
the same dimensions as the Times Square Theatre, so that New York productions
could be exported to this venue without a hitch. More than 800 plays have been
produced at the Westport Country Playhouse since its inception, starring the
greatest names in the American theatre. Some of those stars that have graced
the stage include Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Geraldine Page, Gene Kelly, Lillian
Gish, Jane Fonda, Helen Hayes, Liza Minelli, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and
the list goes on and on. The Playhouse also hosts an equally professional and
heavily attended Children's series.
The Levitt Pavilion on the
bank's of the Saugatuck River is another of Westport's summer performance
hallmarks. Located on a bluff, this outdoor band-shell offers music and
entertainment for every taste and age. Each night throughout the season people
of all ages come with picnics, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the high
quality, free of charge entertainment while relaxing under the
stars.
The Westport Community Theatre,
located in Westport's Town Hall, presents five major productions each year.
There is fresh new work by debuting playwrights, drama, comedy and experimental
theatre.
The intimate, little White Barn
Theatre of Lucille Lortel is another venerable summer tradition. Innovative,
full of cabaret and stage magic, its performances offer an exciting and unusual
experience.
- Westport Country Playhouse,
Box Office Playhouse Square 227-4177
- Levitt Pavilion, Office
226-7600
- Westport Community Theatre
110 Myrtle Avenue 226-5459
- White Barn Theatre Newtown
Turnpike 227-3768
MUSEUMS
The Westport Historical
Society at the Bradley-Wheeler Barn - Built in 1795 and remodeled in the
1860s this restored Victorian home has the only octagonal-roofed cobblestone
barn in Connecticut. A museum of the history of Westport from 1835 to the
present; it is dedicated to the actress and loyal supporter of the Society,
Joanne Woodward. Photographs from the Westport Historical Society's archives,
authentic local artifacts, and effective signage create a fascinating panorama
for the museum. Located at 25 Avery Place with a Gift Shop specializing in
maps, books and Westport related items.
The Society and the Westport
Young Women's League have put together a "Jennings Trail" historic guide to
Westport.
Listed below are a few of the
museums scattered throughout Fairfiled County. Many exhibits in art, science
and nature.
- Westport Historical Society
25 Avery Place 222-1424
- Maritime Center 10 N. Water
Street, S. Norwalk 203-852-0700
- Silvermine Guild Arts Center
1037 Silvermine Road, New Canaan 203-966-5617
- Aldridge Museum of
Contemporary Art 258 Main Street, Ridgefield 203-438-4519
THE
ARTISTS
In the 1930s, artists
"discovered" Westport and began to spread the word. This quiet, beautiful and
accessible town still to this day is a wonderful place for artists to work.
Many well known painters, illustrators and graphic designers have made their
home in Westport. The Westport Arts Center is a working home for 36 plus
artists. They support the creation, exhibition and production of the visual,
literary and performing arts. They also sponsor a Young Artists Festival, that
recognizes and rewards school age playwrights, directors and actors, poets and
visual artists.
Not to be missed is the Annual
Downtown Merchants' Outdoor Art Show, which takes place every July in downtown
Westport.
Unique to Westport is the
monthly exhibit in the window of Max's, the art supply shop on 111 Post Road in
Westport. Local professional as well as amateur painters, graphic designers,
illustrators and creative sorts wait their turn for an exhibit at
Max's.
Westport Arts Center
431
Post Road
East 222-7070
RECREATION
Whatever the season, Westport is
a vital and colorful place. The Westport Recreation Commission oversees 210
acres of public recreational space with a wide range of programs and facilities
ready to offer an exceptional quality of life. The warmth of summer finds
Westport's residents heading for the sand and surf at Compo, Burying Hill, and
Old Mill beaches while winter can find our residents cross country skiing on
our hills and dales. The Compo Beach-Longshore complex offers so much. There is
the beautiful stretch of sandy beach on Long Island Sound offering a day of sun
and fun, a state-of-the-art playground and a snack bar. The Longshore Sailing
School offers the opportunity to set sail on the blue waters for a day of
peace. From the fairways on the 18-hole golf course at Longshore Club Park as
well as on the driving range, players are welcome to enjoy coastal vistas as
well as a great game. Why not end the day with a great meal or drink on the
terrace of the Longshore Clubhouse? Also available to residents in the
Compo-Longshore complex is; a swimming pool, boating marina and yacht basin, a
softball field, basketball court, roller-blade park and 26 tennis courts. Hand
passes are required for all persons using Longshore Club Park (with the
exception of the restaurant), additional town tennis courts and Staples High
School recreational facilities. A hand pass is a prerequisite to purchasing
tennis/golf season permits and for participation in recreation program
activities. Parking passes are required for all those who wish to park their
vehicles at the town beaches.
- Bike Trails
- Hiking Trails
- Fishing
- Children and Adult Sports
Leagues and Programs
- Pal Football
- Little League
- The Westport Soccer
Association
Make use of the parks and school
fields throughout town for their packed seasons. The 300 acre Sherwood Island
Beach complex in Westport is a state park.
Additional indoor swimming pools
are available downtown at the Westport YMCA and at Staples High
School.
Westport has several private
clubs; Birchwood Golf and Country Club with its beautiful award winning 9-hole
golf course, swimming pool and tennis program, The Fairfield County Hunt Club
with swimming pool and horseback riding and the Saugatuck Rowing Club, with
fabulous exercise facilities and rowing program. All have superb dining rooms.
Westport also has several private yacht clubs: Cedar Point Yacht Club and
Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club.
The Nature Center for
Environmental Activities is located on a 62-acre sanctuary. Dedicated to public
environmental education, preservation and conservation, this natural science
preserve welcomes over 80,000 visitors annually while sharing the beauty and
wonder of the natural science world. There are three miles of interconnecting
trails, an Exhibit Hall, a live Animal Hall, exhibits of fauna and flora native
to Connecticut, a hands-on Discovery Room and a Marine Hands-On Tank area. The
Nature Center has events, activities and educational programs for all ages.
Regional experts and staff are available to lead canoeing, hiking and touring
expeditions. Also available is the Nature Center Nursery School as well as its
outdoor summer programs.
The YMCA Outdoor Center offers a
very active outing program including tubing, cycling, skiing, rafting and
caving. The "Great Race", held every summer on the Saugatuck River, fields a
splashy array of seaworthy crafts as well as designer specials, the
"Funtastical" tubs. The Rolnick Observatory of the Westport Astrological
Society is also a favorite place to reach for the stars.
SCHOOLS
There are 7 schools in the
Westport School District:
- 4 Elementary
Schools
- 2 Middle Schools
- 1 High School
Each school has a unique,
individual website covering most activities & events of that
school.
Elementary
Schools
-
Coleytown Elementary
School
65 Easton Road
Westport, CT 06880
(203)
341-1700
Principal: Kaye May
Asst. Principal: Charlotte
Janis
Asst. Principal: Mary Ann Hergenrother
-
Green's Farms Elementary
School
17 Morningside Drive
South Westport, CT 06880
(203)
222-3600
Interim Principal: Dan Sullivan
Asst Principal: Brenda
Anziano
Asst Principal: Beth Heroux
-
King's Highway Elementary
School
125 Post Road
West Westport, CT 06880
(203)
341-1800
Principal: Robert Buckley
Assistant Principal: Deborah
Fritz-Bradeen
Assistant Principal: Rebecca Hamman
-
Long Lots Elementary
School
13 Hyde Lane
Westport, CT 06880
(203)
341-1900
Principal: Barbara Lasher
Assistant Principal: Mary
Misevich
Assistant Principal: Karen Griffin
Middle School
-
Bedford Middle School
170
Riverside Avenue
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 341-1500
Principal:
Angela Wormser
Vice Principal: Julio Delgado
Vice Principal: Patricia
Raneri
-
Coleytown Middle
School
255 North Avenue
Westport, CT 06880
(203)
341-1600
Principal: James Welsch
Vice Principal: Amedeo
Cannone
Vice Principal: Arlis Aron
High School
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