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Under The Gunn
Public comment was overwhelmingly in favor of it. But the Planning & Zoning Commission wasn’t. They voted to deny a plan to move the Kemper Gunn House — the handsome, century-old building on Church...
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Geiger Demolition: The Sequel
Alert “06880″ reader Wendy Crowther writes: Last Tuesday (November 12), the Historic District Commission voted unanimously to uphold the 180-day demolition delays placed on both the house and vintage...
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Historic Designation Sought For Golden Shadows
The best use of the Baron’s South property is still a subject of debate. But a group of Westporters want to make sure that whatever it is, it includes Golden Shadows. The 1959 Colonial Revival-style...
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108 Cross Highway: Preserving History, Preventing A Teardown
In June 2011, 108 Cross Highway came on the market. From all indications, it would be the next Westport teardown. An uproar ensued. The 2-story “vernacular” — with a barn — on the well-traveled stretch...
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[OPINION]: Save Turkey Hill South!
The saga of 63 Turkey Hill Road South continues. Built in 1920, it’s one of 4 remaining Mediterranean-style houses in Westport. Neighbors hope to save it from a proposed demolition. Right now, it’s...
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Downtown Affordable Housing To Be Demolished Soon
Westport is about to lose 14 more very affordable housing units. And downtown is set to lose 2 more pieces of its history. Applications have been filed to demolish 2 buildings: #7 and #15 Belden Place....
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Get Your Historic Home Preservation Tax Credits Here!
One of the constant themes on “06880” — not as popular as entitled drivers and parkers, but then what is? — is real estate. Specifically: tearing down an old home, or preserving it. There are valid...
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1 Wilton Road: The Sequel
Earlier this month, “06880” reported on 1 Wilton Road. The quaint little building at the traffic-choked intersection with Post Road West and Riverside Avenue was going to be renovated by — and serve as...
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1 Wilton Road: Demolition Is Halted
For several days, Westporters watched with mounting concern as 1 Wilton Road — the little building at the always-clogged intersection with Post Road West and Riverside Avenue — was slowly reduced to...
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Honoring Westporters Who Preserve History
Though the 1 Wilton Road building disappeared, plank by wooden plank, there is some good news on the preservation front. Next Monday (October 30, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), 1st selectman Jim Marpe...
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9 Stone Bridges
Alert — and history-minded — “06880” reader Wendy Crowther writes: It’s hard for us to imagine today the difficult problem that rivers, streams and brooks posed for Westport’s early settlers and...
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Lincoln Street Nears Historic District Designation
Last night, Westport’s Historic District Commission unanimously supported the creation of a new historic district. Comprising 13 houses on Lincoln Street and 4 on Riverside Avenue — all built between...
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Developer, Preservationists Battle Over Artists’ Property On Morningside Drive
The last time I wrote about Walter and Naiad Einsel was in 2016. The story was about their estate sale. Collectors flocked from many states to the 1853 Victorian farmhouse that for over 60 years had...
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Developer Withdraws Morningside South Demolition Applications
The Westport Historic District Commission has a full agenda for next Tuesday’s public meeting (August 14, Town Hall, 7 p.m.). They’ll hear a request by the Westport Historical Society to place a...
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Preserving — And Honoring — Westport’s Past
Homeowners who put time, money, energy and love into preserving old homes don’t do it for a prize, or even praise. They do it because they love Westport’s past. They want to honor and keep it. But it...
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And The Next 8-30(g) Affordable Housing Application Is …
Hot on the heels of the Planning & Zoning Commission’s denial of an application for construction of a 6-story, 81-unit apartment complex between Lincoln and Cross Streets, off Post Road West, comes...
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[OPINION] Historic Importance Of South Morningside Is Huge
Between the ospreys and education issues, Westporters’ attention has recently been diverted from the long-running saga of Morningside Drive South. But the Historic District Commission meets Tuesday...
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The Continuing Saga Of Terrain’s Sagging House
In 2011 — as part of its application process to open in town — Terrain agreed to preserve the small house at the corner of Crescent Road. The Historic District Commission and Planning and Zoning...
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Roundup: WTF; Reopening; Historic Homes; More
How you gonna keep ’em away from the farm? Wakeman Farm Town announces a slew of interesting events. A “Rockin’ Lawn Party” (Wednesday, August 5, 6 p.m.) includes live music and a customized picnic...
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Unsung Hero #174
Bob Weingarten nominates Carol Leahy as this week’s Unsung Hero. He writes: For 22 years Carol Leahy has served Westport. She started as a part-time employee in the selectman’s office, then in 1990 was...
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Friday Flashback #285
174 Hillspoint Road is the house everyone loves to hate. Built in 1968, and located not far from Old Mill Beach, it looks vaguely Mediterranean. Westport Journal’s Thane Grauel described it as “a...
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Roundup: Deer, Alaska, Trump …
A deer in distress has been wandering around the Long Lots Lane/Keene Road area. Tangled in what looks like a badminton net, its gaunt appearance suggests it cannot see to forage for food. Residents...
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Historic District Commission Gets State Grant
Everyone talks about historic preservation in Westport. But — as homes and buildings as old as 200 years, and as new as 20, fall to the wrecking ball — what are our greatest protection needs? The...
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Roundup: Amy Scarella, Staples Books Complaint, Historic District …
Amy Scarella is a 1994 Staples High School graduate. Many Westporters know her as the passionate power behind Little Black Dog Rescue. She was the woman driving around town with an SUV full of howling...
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Scott Smith: Meeting House Musings
The other day, alert and longtime “06880” reader Scott Smith tromped around one of Westport’s most historic sites: the “Meeting House” land, where the original Green’s Farms Congregational Church was...
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