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WEE BEEZ THE RICH ONEZ!!! :D :) :P |
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'''Westport''' is a coastal [[New England town|town]] of colonial origin located on [[Long Island Sound]] in [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]], [[Connecticut]], {{convert|47|mi|km}} northeast of [[New York City]] in the [[United States]].<ref name="Kerns2006">{{cite book|author=Ann Kerns|title=Martha Stewart|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SIPeZPZ7O1wC&pg=PA45|accessdate=24 November 2011|date=24 October 2006|publisher=Twenty-First Century Books|isbn=978-0-8225-6613-7|pages=45–}}</ref> The town had a population of 26,391 according to the [[2010 United States Census|2010 U.S. Census]] and in 2008 ranked the tenth wealthiest town in the U.S. with populations between 20,000 and 65,000, and second in the state.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov| title=Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Westport town, Connecticut| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder 2| accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Sherman2008>{{cite news|last=Sherman|first=Lauren|title=In Depth: Twenty Most Affluent U.S. Neighborhoods|url=http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/08/america-affluent-neighborhoods-forbeslife-cx_ls_1209realestate_slide_12.html|accessdate=14 November 2011|newspaper=Forbes|date=9 December 2008}}</ref> |
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The Westport area had been inhabited by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] for at least 7,500 years before the first permanent white settlers.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /> Five farmers and their families, subsequently known as the [[Bankside Farmers]], arrived at Machamux on 1693 having followed cattle to the isolated area known to the Pequot as the "beautiful land".<ref name=Prevost2001 /> As the settlement expanded its name changed: briefly known as "Bankside" in 1693, officially named Green's Farm in 1732 in honor of Bankside Farmer John Green and in 1835 incorporated as the Town of Westport.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /><ref name=Jennings.148>{{cite book|last=Jennings|pages=148}}</ref> |
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[[Agriculture]] was Westport’s first major industry; by the 19th century Westport had become a shipping center in part to transport onion to market. In the 20th century a combination of industrialization, and demand by New Yorkers attracted to fashionable Westport—which had attracted many arts and writers—saw farmers selling off their land. The Town of Westport's transition from a community of farmers to a suburban.<ref name="Congress1871">{{cite book|author=United States. Congress|title=Congressional edition|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WVNHAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA256|accessdate=12December 2011|year=1871|publisher=U.S. G.P.O.|pages=256–}}</ref><ref name="O'Meara2002">{{cite book|author=Lauraleigh O'Meara|title=Lost city: Fitzgerald's New York|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ZQxvxyCWKiQC&pg=PA34|accessdate=12December2011|date=2 August 2002|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-94055-9|page=34}}</ref> |
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Westport experienced a rapid population growth from the 1950s to 1970s that was reported to be driven by the town's proximity to New York City, school system reputation, “chic New York-type fashion shopping” and the "natural beauty of the town"<ref name="Klein(Conn.) 2000.233.262">{{cite book|author1=Woody Klein|author2=Westport Historical Society (Conn.)|title=Westport, Connecticut: the story of a New England town's rise to prominence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mLh4AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=27 November 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31126-0|pages=233–262}}</ref><ref name=Powell>{{cite news|last=Powell|first=Mike|title=Westport, Conn., Buying Guide|url=http://www.nytimes.com/ref/realestate/nabe-westport.html|accessdate=12 December 2011|newspaper=New York Times|year=2007}}</ref><ref name="GimpelSchuknecht2004">{{cite book|author1=James G. Gimpel|author2=Jason E. Schuknecht|title=Patchwork Nation: Sectionalism and Political Change in American Politics|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=VlEKxXBOpKwC&pg=PA217|accessdate=12 December 2011|date=14 June 2004|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=978-0-472-03030-9|pages=217–}}</ref><ref name="Kerns2006.45">{{cite book|author=Ann Kerns|title=Martha Stewart|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SIPeZPZ7O1wC&pg=PA45|accessdate=12December 2011|date=24 October 2006|publisher=Twenty-First Century Books|isbn=978-0-8225-6613-7|pages=45}}</ref><ref name="Inc1949">{{cite book|author=Time Inc|title=LIFE|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=y04EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74|accessdate=12December 2011|date=8 August 1949|publisher=Time Inc|pages=74–|id={{ISSN|00243019}}}}</ref><ref name="DanielsonDoig1983">{{cite book|author1=Michael N. Danielson|author2=Jameson W. Doig|title=New York: The Politics of Urban Regional Development|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=zR4le6t4B9wC&pg=PA151|accessdate=12December 2011|date=3 October 1983|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-04551-4|pages=151–}}</ref> By the 21st century Westport had developed into a center for finance & insurance (23%) and professional, scientific & technical services (21%)<ref name=CityData2011>{{cite web|title=Westport, Connecticut (CT) profile|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Westport-Connecticut.html|accessdate=6 December 2011}}</ref> |
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Westport is home to the [[Westport Country Playhouse]].<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15">{{cite book|author1=Woody Klein|author2=Westport Historical Society (Conn.)|title=Westport, Connecticut: the story of a New England town's rise to prominence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mLh4AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=21 November 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31126-0|pages=1–15}}</ref> |
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==History== |
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[[File:Old Map of Westport, CT.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Old Map of Westport, CT]] |
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Archaeological finds led to what are currently the earliest identified inhabitants of the Westport area that date back 7,500 years.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /> Records from the first white settlers report the [[Pequot]] Indians living in the area which they called ''Machamux'' translated by the colonialists as ''beautiful land''.<ref name="Prevost2001" /> Settlement by colonialists dates back to the five ''[[Bankside Farmers]]''; whose families grew and prospered into a community that continued expanding. The community had its own ecclesiastical society, supported by independent civil and religious elements, enabling it to be independent from the Town of Fairfield.<ref name="Somerset-Ward2005" /> |
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[[Image:Minuteman, Westport CT.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Minutemen]] Statue on [[Compo Beach]]]] |
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During the revolutionary war—on April 25, 1777 a 1,850 strong British force under the command of the [[List of colonial governors of New York|Royal Governor of the Province of New York]], Major General [[William Tryon]] landed on Compo Beach to demolish the [[Continental Army]]’s military supplies in [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]].<ref name="HowardCrocker1879">{{cite book|author1=R. H. Howard|author2=Henry E. Crocker|title=A history of New England: containing historical and descriptive sketches of the counties, cities and principal towns of the six New England states, including, in its list of contributors, more than sixty literary men and women, representing every county in New England|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8sRWAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA302|accessdate=28 November 2011|year=1879|publisher=Crocker & co.|page=302}}</ref> [[Minutemen]] from Westport and the surrounding areas crouched hiding whilst Tryon's troops passed and then launched an offensive from their rear. A statue on Compo beach commemorates this plan of attack with a crouching Minuteman facing away from the beach; looking onto what would have been the rear of the troops.<ref name="Boatner1975">{{cite book|author=Mark Mayo Boatner|title=Landmarks of the American Revolution: a guide to locating and knowing what happened at the sites of independence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=l0UaAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=13 November 2011|year=1975|publisher=Hawthorn Books|pages=45–47}}</ref> |
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The Town of Westport was officially incorporated on May 28, 1835 with lands from [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[Weston, Connecticut|Weston]] and [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]].<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /><ref name="Library1909">{{cite book|author=Connecticut State Library|title=Bulletin|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=hY_EAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA50|accessdate=20 November 2011|year=1909|page=50}}</ref> Daniel Nash led 130 people of Westport in the petitioning of the Town of Fairfield for Westport’s incorporation. The driving force behind the petition was to assist their seaport’s economic viability that was being undermined by neighboring towns’ seaports.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.85.108">{{cite book|author1=Woody Klein|author2=Westport Historical Society (Conn.)|title=Westport, Connecticut: the story of a New England town's rise to prominence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mLh4AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=21 November 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31126-0|pages=85–108}}</ref> For several decades after that, Westport was a prosperous agricultural community distinguishing itself as the leading onion-growing center in the U.S.<ref name="Mapes1853">{{cite book|author=James Jay Mapes|title=Working farmer|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=kc1FAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1|accessdate=21November 2011|year=1853|publisher=Kingman & Cross}}</ref> Blight caused the collapse of Westport's onion industry leading to the mills and factories replacing agricultural as the town's economic engine.<ref name="Somerset-Ward2005">{{cite book|author=Richard Somerset-Ward|title=An American theatre: the story of Westport Country Playhouse, 1931-2005|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=7wbvVZvDjrYC&pg=PA29|accessdate=17 November 2011|date=11 June 2005|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-10648-0|page=29}}</ref> |
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Starting around 1910 the town experienced a cultural expansion.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /><ref name="Inc1949"/> During this period artists, musicians, and authors such as [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] moved to Westport on account of being free of the commuting demanding experienced by business people.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.119.146" /> The roots of Westport’s reputation as an arts center can be traced back to this period during which it was known as a "creative heaven."<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /> |
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In the 1950s through to the 1970s baby boomers relocating from New York to the suburbs discovered Westport's culture of artists, musicians and authors.<ref name="Inc1949">{{cite book|author=Time Inc|title=LIFE|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=y04EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74|accessdate=12December 2011|date=8 August 1949|publisher=Time Inc|pages=74}}</ref> The population grew rapidly assisted by the ease of commuting to New York City and back again to rolling hills and the "natural beauty of the town."<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /><ref name="Klein(Conn.) 2000.233.262"/> By this time Westport had “chic New York-type fashion shopping.”<ref name="Powell"/><ref name="Kerns2006.45"/> And a school system with a good reputation all factors contributing to the growth.<ref name="GimpelSchuknecht2004"/><ref name="DanielsonDoig1983"/> |
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==Geography and environment== |
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According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Westport has a total area of {{convert|33.3|sqmi}}. {{convert|20.0|sqmi}} or 60.02% of it is land and {{convert|13.3|sqmi}} or 39.98% is water. |
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Westport is bordered by [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]] on the west, [[Weston, Connecticut|Weston]] to the north, [[Wilton, Connecticut|Wilton]] to the northwest, [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]] to the east and [[Long Island Sound]] to the south. |
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===Climate=== |
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{{Weather box|location = Westport, Connecticut |
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|single line = Y |
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|collapsed = {{{collapsed|}}} |
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|Jan record high F = 69 |
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|Feb record high F = 74 |
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|Mar record high F = 85 |
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|Apr record high F = 96 |
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|May record high F = 97 |
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|Jun record high F = 97 |
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|Jul record high F = 102 |
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|Aug record high F = 104 |
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|Sep record high F = 97 |
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|Oct record high F = 86 |
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|Nov record high F = 82 |
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|Dec record high F = 76 |
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|year record high F = 88.75 |
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|Jan high F = 39 |
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|Feb high F = 42 |
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|Mar high F = 51 |
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|Apr high F = 63 |
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|May high F = 73 |
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|Jun high F = 81 |
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|Jul high F = 86 |
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|Aug high F = 84 |
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|Sep high F = 76 |
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|Oct high F = 65 |
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|Nov high F = 54 |
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|Dec high F = 43 |
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|Jan low F = 20 |
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|Feb low F = 22 |
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|Mar low F = 29 |
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|Apr low F = 39 |
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|May low F = 48 |
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|Jun low F = 57 |
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|Jul low F = 63 |
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|Aug low F = 61 |
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|Sep low F = 54 |
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|Oct low F = 42 |
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|Nov low F = 34 |
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|Dec low F = 25 |
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|Jan record low F = -18 |
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|Feb record low F = -14 |
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|Mar record low F = -6 |
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|Apr record low F = 16 |
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|May record low F = 28 |
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|Jun record low F = 35 |
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|Jul record low F = 43 |
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|Aug record low F = 37 |
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|Sep record low F = 28 |
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|Oct record low F = 16 |
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|Nov record low F = 7 |
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|Dec record low F = -13 |
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|year record low F = 1982 |
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|Jan record low C = -28 |
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|Feb record low C = -26 |
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|Mar record low C = -21 |
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|Apr record low C = -9 |
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|May record low C = -2 |
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|Oct record low C = -9 |
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|Nov record low C = -14 |
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|Dec record low C =-25 |
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|year record low C = -9 |
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|Jan humidity= 73.5 |
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|Feb humidity= 97.4 |
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|Mar humidity= 64.6 |
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|Apr humidity= 77.7 |
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|May humidity= 78.8 |
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|Jun humidity= 85.3 |
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|Jul humidity= 90.8 |
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|Aug humidity= 80.6 |
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|Sep humidity= 88.4 |
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|Oct humidity= 71.7 |
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|Nov humidity= 78.9 |
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|Dec humidity= 73.5 |
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|precipitation colour= green |
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|Jan precipitation inch = 4.0 |
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|Feb precipitation inch = 3.5 |
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|Mar precipitation inch = 4.7 |
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|Apr precipitation inch = 4.8 |
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|May precipitation inch = 4.7 |
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|Jun precipitation inch = 4.6 |
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|Jul precipitation inch = 4.1 |
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|Aug precipitation inch = 4.2 |
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|Sep precipitation inch = 4.9 |
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|Oct precipitation inch = 4.8 |
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|Nov precipitation inch = 4.5 |
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|Dec precipitation inch = 4.4 |
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|Jan snow inch = 7.6 |
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|Feb snow inch = 7.8 |
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|Mar snow inch = 4.9 |
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|Apr snow inch = 0.7 |
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|May snow inch = 0 |
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|Jun snow inch = 0 |
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|Jul snow inch = 0 |
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|Aug snow inch = 0 |
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|Sep snow inch = 0 |
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|Oct snow inch = 0 |
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|Nov snow inch = 0.6 |
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|Dec snow inch = 4.6 |
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|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |
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|unit snow days = 0.1 in |
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|Jan precipitation days = 6.3 |
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|Feb precipitation days = 5.9 |
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|Mar precipitation days = 6.8 |
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|Apr precipitation days = 7.3 |
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|May precipitation days = 7.7 |
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|Jun precipitation days = 7.1 |
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|Jul precipitation days = 6.6 |
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|Aug precipitation days = 6.5 |
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|Sep precipitation days = 6.3 |
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|Oct precipitation days = 5.7 |
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|Nov precipitation days = 6.4 |
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|Dec precipitation days = 6.3 |
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|Jan snow days = 3.5 |
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|Feb snow days = 2.9 |
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|Mar snow days = 1.2 |
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|Apr snow days = 0 |
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|May snow days = 0 |
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|Jun snow days = 0 |
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|Jul snow days = 0 |
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|Aug snow days = 0 |
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|Sep snow days = 0 |
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|Oct snow days = 0 |
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|Nov snow days = 0.1 |
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|Dec snow days = 1.4 |
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|Jan sun = |
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|Feb sun = |
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|Mar sun = |
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|Apr sun = |
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|date=December 2011}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Weather.com|url= http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxclimatology/monthly/06880|publisher=Weather.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Historical Weather Westport, CT Weather|url=http://www.usa.com/westport-ct-weather.htm|accessdate=7 December 2011}}</ref> |
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===Topology=== |
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Both the train station and a total of 26 percent of town residents live within the 100-year floodplain.{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} The floodplain was breached in 1992 and 1996 resulting in damage to private property, the 1992 flooding of the train station car park and the implementation of flood mitigation measures that include town regulations that affect renovations and additions to building within the floodplain zone. {{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} |
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===Neighborhoods=== |
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[[Image:Neighborhoods of Westport, CT.svg|thumb|right|100px|[[Neighborhoods of Westport, CT]]]] |
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* '''[[Saugatuck (Westport)|Saugatuck]]''' – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices. Saugatuck originates from the Paugussett tribe meaning ''meaning mouth of the tidal river''. |
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* '''[[Greens Farms]]''' – is Westport's oldest neighborhood starting around Hillspoint road and ending at Westport's boundary on the east side.<ref name=Prevost2001>{{cite news|last=Prevost|first=Lisa|title=If You're Thinking of Living In/Green's Farms; A Country Atmosphere Near the Sound|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9504E2D71E3BF934A35752C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print|accessdate=30 November 2011|newspaper=New York Times|date=7 January 2001}}</ref> |
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* '''[[Cockenoe Island]]''' (pronounced "KawKEEnee") – just off the southeastern coast of the town. Cockenoe Island was purchased by Westport for $212,740 from the United Illuminating Company in 1969 so that the company could not use the land to build a nuclear plant.<ref name=Prevost2001 /> |
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* '''[[Old Hill, Westport|Old Hill]]''' – west of the [[Saugatuck River]] and north of the [[Boston Post Road|Post Road]], a historic section of town with many homes from the Revolutionary and Victorian eras. Prior to the road being called the Boston Post Road it was called the Connecticut Turnpike.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.96">{{cite book|author1=Woody Klein|author2=Westport Historical Society (Conn.)|title=Westport, Connecticut: the story of a New England town's rise to prominence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mLh4AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=30 November 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31126-0|page=96}}</ref> |
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* '''[[Coleytown]]''' – Located at the northern edge of town, near the Weston town line. Home to Coleytown fire station, Middle and Elementary school. |
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* '''[[Compo (Westport)|Compo]]''' – Located around the main beach in the town, Compo Beach. Compo (Compaug), can be traced back to the early Paugussett tribe and means ''the bear's fishing ground''.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.16.29">{{cite book|author1=Woody Klein|author2=Westport Historical Society (Conn.)|title=Westport, Connecticut: the story of a New England town's rise to prominence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mLh4AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=18 December 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31126-0|pages=16–29}}</ref> |
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==Demographics== |
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{{Historical populations |
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| source = [http://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/SectionVII/SecVIITOC.htm/ CT.gov] |
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|1840 | 1803 |
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|1850 | 2651 |
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|1860 | 3293 |
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|1870 | 3361 |
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|1880 | 3477 |
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|1890 | 3715 |
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|1900 | 4017 |
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|1910 | 4259 |
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|1920 | 5114 |
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|1930 | 6073 |
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|1940 | 8258 |
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|1950 | 11667 |
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|1960 | 20955 |
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|1970 | 27318 |
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|1980 | 25290 |
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|1990 | 24410 |
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|2000 | 25749 |
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|2010 | 26391 |
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}} |
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As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 26,644 people, 9,586 households, and 7,170 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 1,286.7 people per square mile (496.8/km²). There were 10,065 housing units at an average density of 503.0 per square mile (194.2/km²). |
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According to the [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]], the population of Westport was 1.2% [[African American|Black or African American]], 92.6% [[White American|White]], 4.0% [[Asian American|Asian]], and 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]]. Individuals from other races made up 0.6% of Westport's population while individuals from [[Multiracial American|two or more races]] made up 1.6%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=November 14, 2011}}</ref> In addition, [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics]] of any race made up 3.5% of Westport’s population. About 29.8% of Westport residents were younger than age 18 as of 2010; higher than the U.S. average of 24%. |
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According to the [[2000 United States Census|2000 Census]], there were 9,586 households, of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.8% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.10. |
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In the town the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 2.7% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males. |
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According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $147,391, and the median income for a family was $176,740. As of the 2000 Census, males had a median income of $100,000 versus $53,269 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $73,664. 2.6% of the population and 1.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 2.7% are under the age of 18 and 2.1% are 65 or older. |
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Westport was named the fifth top-earning city in the US, with a median family income of $193,540 and median home price of $1,200,000 in July, 2008.<ref name=CNN2008>{{cite news|title=25 top-earning towns|url=http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/moneymag/0807/gallery.bplive_topearners.moneymag/5.html|accessdate=21 November 2011|newspaper=CNN|date=7 August 2008}}</ref> |
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==Government== |
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[[Image:Westport Town Hall, Myrtle Avenue.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Westport Town Hall]] on Myrtle Avenue]] |
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The town switched to a Representative Town Meeting style governance in 1949. The government consists of a three-member Board of Selectmen, a [[Town meeting|Representative Town Meeting]] (RTM), a Board of Finance, a Board of Education, a Planning and Zoning Commission, and various other commissions, boards, and committees. |
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===Fire Department=== |
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The town of Westport is protected 24/7, 365 by the paid, full-time firefighters of the Westport Fire Department(WFD). Established in 1929, the Westport Fire Department currently operates out of 4 Fire Stations, located throughout the town, and maintains a fire apparatus fleet of 4 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 Rescue, 1 Fireboat, 1 High Water Unit, 1 Utility Unit, and a Shift Commander's Unit. The Westport Fire Department responds to, on average, approximately 4,000 emergency calls annually.<ref>http://www.westportct.gov/index.aspx?page=111</ref> |
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Below is a complete listing of all fire station locations and apparatus in the town of Westport. |
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{| class=wikitable |
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|- valign=bottom |
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! Engine Company |
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! Truck Company |
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! Special Unit |
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! Command Unit |
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! Address |
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! Neighborhood |
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|- |
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| Engine 2 || Truck 1 || Rescue 3, Fireboat, High Water Unit, Utility Unit || Car 3(Shift Commander) || 515 Post Rd. E. || Downtown |
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|- |
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| Engine 4 || || || || 555 Riverside Ave. || Saugatuck |
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|- |
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| Engine 5 || || || || 66 Center St. || Greens Farms |
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|- |
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| Engine 6 || || || || 61 Easton Rd. || Coleytown |
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|} |
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==Education & Science== |
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===Education=== |
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[[Image:Staples High School, Westport, CT.jpg|thumb|right|220px|alt=View of Staples High School, December 2011 | View of Staples High School, December 2011]] |
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''About Westport's schools (public & private) and library.'' |
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'''Public high school''' - [[Staples High School]], Westport's only public high school, was ranked by ''[[Newsweek]]'' magazine in 2005 as 452nd on a list of the best 1,000 high schools in the country<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8759025/site/newsweek/page/5/ Msn.com] Web page listing high schools in Newsweek survey, accessed September 5, 2006</ref> (Grades 9 to 12) with 1,800 students. In the 2008-2009 school year Staples was also ranked the #1 school in Connecticut by Connecticut Magazine.<ref>[http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?/v2/comments/connecticut_magazine_names_staples_best_state_high_school WestportNow] WestportNow article about Connecticut Magazine cover, accessed July 19, 2010</ref><ref name=Steele2008>{{cite news|last=Steele|first=Charles|title=Top High Schools|url=http://www.connecticutmag.com/Connecticut-Magazine/November-2008/Top-High-Schools/|accessdate=21 November 2011|newspaper=Connecticut Magazine|date=November 2008}}</ref> The school underwent a $73,900,000.00 renovation that was completed in 2005. In 2011, [[Staples High School]] was ranked No. 1 out of 190 high schools in the state of [[Connecticut]], with 87 percent of students meeting or exceeding state goals.<ref name=westportdv >{{cite web|last=Inzitari|first=Vanessa|title=Westport School District Tops State Rankings|url=http://westport.dailyvoice.com/schools/westport-school-district-tops-state-rankings|publisher=The Westport Daily Voice|accessdate=26 July 2012}}</ref> This put Westport as the No. 1 high school district out of 134 districts across the state. <ref name=westportdv /> |
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'''Middle schools''' - The district has two middle schools (Grades 6 to 8) – Bedford Middle School and Coleytown Middle School – with a total of 1,321 students. In September 2009, Bedford Middle School was awarded the government-honored [[Blue Ribbon Schools Program|Blue Ribbon Award]]. In 2011, Out of 298 middle schools, Coleytown Middle and Bedford Middle schools were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the state.<ref name=westportdv /> |
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""Elementary Schools"" - There are five elementary schools (Kindergarten to Grade 5) with a total of 2,556 students: |
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* Coleytown Elementary School<ref>[http://ces.westport.k12.ct.us/cesinformation/ Coleytown Elementary School]</ref> |
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* King's Highway Elementary School<ref>[http://khs.westport.k12.ct.us/khsinformation/ King's Highway Elementary School]</ref> |
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* [[Greens Farms School|Green's Farms Elementary School]]<ref>[http://blackboard.westport.k12.ct.us/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_22_1 Green's Farms Elementary School]</ref> |
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* Saugatuck Elementary School<ref>[http://blackboard.westport.k12.ct.us/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_28_1 Saugatuck Elementary School]</ref> |
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* Long Lots Elementary School<ref>[http://blackboard.westport.k12.ct.us/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_36_1 Long Lots Elementary School]</ref> |
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'''Preschools''' - There are a number of preschools in Westport, including Stepping Stones Pre-school, Greens Farms Nursery School, Saugatuck Nursery School, Earthplace Nursery School and the YMCA Childcare.<ref name=Minuteman2011>{{cite news|title=Around Our Towns|url=http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2011/11/02/westport/life/doc4eb15b6741c3a735045514.txt?viewmode=fullstory|accessdate=23 November 2011|newspaper=Minuteman News Center|date=2 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="Burtt1984">{{cite book|author=Kent Garland Burtt|title=Smart times: a parent's guide to quality time with preschoolers|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=vLlzwgB9zp8C|accessdate=23 November 2011|date=November 1984|publisher=Harper & Row|isbn=978-0-06-015287-1|page=xii}}</ref><ref name="Directory of Child Day Care Centers: Northeast">{{cite book|title=Directory of Child Day Care Centers: Northeast|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WNg_AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA371|accessdate=23 November 2011|date=1 January 1986|publisher=Oryx Press|isbn=978-0-89774-256-6|pages=371–}}</ref><ref name=Lang2011>{{cite news|last=Lang|first=Kirk|title=Saugatuck Nursery grows to keep up with youngsters|url=http://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Saugatuck-Nursery-grows-to-keep-up-with-youngsters-2250726.php|accessdate=23 November 2011|newspaper=Westport News|date=3 November 2011}}</ref> |
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For the 2009-10 fiscal year, the school district's adopted budget is $110.6 million.<ref>[http://www.westportct.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E260D71D-4A31-43EC-9751-2E91D4C91223/0/Website201011Budget.pdf WestportCT.gov] Westport 2010-2011 Fiscal Year Budget</ref> The school district had an estimated $109.1 million budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, giving it an average per pupil expenditure of $16,266.<ref>[http://blackboard.westport.k12.ct.us/bbcswebdav/institution/Web_District/geninfo.htm Westport School District] General information about the district incl. number of enrolled students</ref> The average 2010 class size for kindergarten through first grade was 22 students and 25 students for second through fifth grade.<ref name=Lomuscio2010>{{cite news|last=Lomuscio|first=James|title=Opening Day for Schools Called a ‘Great Kickoff’|url=http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?/v2_5/comments/opening_day_for_schools_called_a_great_kickoff/|accessdate=12 November 2011|newspaper=WestportNow.com|date=1 September 2010}}</ref> |
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'''Private schools''' - [[Greens Farms Academy]], located in the 1920s Vanderbilt estate overlooking [[Long Island Sound]], is a K-12 private preparatory school located in the Greens Farms section of town. [[Pierrepont School (Westport, CT)|Pierrepont School]], opened in 2002 on Sylvan Road, is a private K-12 school for gifted students. |
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[[Image:Westport Public Library.jpg|thumb|right|220px|alt=Westport Public Library taken from the opposite side of the Saugatuck River. | Westport Public Library taken from the opposite side of the Saugatuck River.]] |
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The [[Westport Public Library]] features changing displays of art from area artists. |
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===Science=== |
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* The [[Rolnick Observatory]], operated by the Westport Astronomical Society, is open to the public for free on clear Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The observatory is located at 182 Bayberry Avenue, on a former [[Nike (rocket)|Nike missile site]].<ref name="Harrington2010">{{cite book|author=Philip S. Harrington|title=Cosmic Challenge: The Ultimate Observing List for Amateurs|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8mQmvT4wpWQC&pg=PR10|accessdate=12 December 2011|date=30 November 2010|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-89936-9|pages=10–}}</ref><ref name="Astronomy">{{cite book|title=Astronomy|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0zQRAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=12 December 2011|year=1982|publisher=AstroMedia Corp.}}</ref> |
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* [[Earthplace|Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center]], is a [[natural history]] museum, [[nature center]] and [[wildlife sanctuary]] located at 10 Woodside Lane. The organization is dedicated to the promotion of public environmental education, preservation and conservation. Activities include maintaining a {{convert|62|acre|m2|adj=on}} open space wildlife sanctuary with trails, presenting public nature education programs, a water quality monitoring program, an interactive nature discovery area, a nursery school and summer camp. |
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==Townscape== |
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{{wide image|Post Road Bridge, Westport, CT.JPG|1100px|<div class="center">Westport Town Center at Sunrise.</div>}} |
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==Culture== |
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Around 1910 the Town of Westport experienced the beginning of a period during which it attracted artists, musicians, writers, and creative people.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /> These include [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]].<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /> |
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===Arts=== |
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[[Image:Westport Country Playhouse.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Westport Country Playhouse]]]] |
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* The [[Westport Country Playhouse]], founded in 1930, is a regional theater known for its excellent theatrical performances.<ref name=Morris2010>{{cite web|last=Morris|first=Stacey|title=Westport: The Beverly Hills of the East|url=http://www.jpost.com/Travel/TravelNews/Article.aspx?id=178214|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|accessdate=21 November 2011|date=13 June 2010}}</ref> After Paul Newman moved to Westport in the 1960 he became a principal "driving force" behind the playhouse reported as "one the country’s most respected summer theaters."<ref name=Morris2010 /> The playhouse went through a renovation process that was completed in 2005 on its seventy-fifth anniversary.<ref name="Somerset-Ward2005">{{cite book|author=Richard Somerset-Ward|title=An American theatre: the story of Westport Country Playhouse, 1931-2005|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=7wbvVZvDjrYC&pg=PA216|accessdate=20 November 2011|date=11 June 2005|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-10648-0|page=237}}</ref> |
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* The film, [[The Swimmer]], was largely fimed here in 1966. |
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===Architecture=== |
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''[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Fairfield County, Connecticut|''On the National Register of Historic Places in Westport'']]'' |
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[[Image:National Register of Historic Places in Westport.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Map of National Register of Historic Places in Westport]] |
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[[Image:Bradley-Wheeler House, Westport, CT 01.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Bradley-Wheeler House]]]] |
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{{Collapse top|title=On the National Register of Historic Places in Westport}} |
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{{NRHP header|NRISref=2009a}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=1 |
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|refnum=10000492 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=The Allen House (Westport, Connecticut) |
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|name=The Allen House |
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|address=4 Burritt's Landing North |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=2010-07-22 |
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|image= |
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|lat=41.115833 |
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|lon=-73.375556 |
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|description=Built in 1958, the house is the only known example in Westport of work by [[Chicago]] architect [[Roy Binkley, Jr.]].<ref name=AllenHouse>{{cite web|url=http://www.Westportct.gov/news/histdist09.htm |title=Historic Preservation Awards recipients announced for 2009 |publisher=Town of Westport website|accessdate=August 3, 2010}}</ref> |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=2 |
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|refnum=84000791 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=Bradley-Wheeler House |
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|name=Bradley-Wheeler House |
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|address=25 Avery Pl. |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1984-07-05 |
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|image=Bradley-Wheeler House, Westport, CT 01.jpg |
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|lat=41.144167 |
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|lon=-73.361389 |
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|description=Headquarters and museum of the Westport Historical Society |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=3 |
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|refnum=91000393 |
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|type=HD |
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|article=Compo-Owenoke Historic District |
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|name=Compo-Owenoke Historic District |
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|address=Roughly bounded by Gray's Creek, Compo Rd. S., and [[Long Island Sound]] |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1991-04-19 |
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|image= |
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|lat=41.106111 |
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|lon=-73.355 |
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|description=<!-- Description goes here --> |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=4 |
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|refnum=77001396 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=Godillot Place |
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|name=Godillot Place |
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|address=60, 65 Jesup Rd. |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1977-08-29 |
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|image= |
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|lat=41.140278 |
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|lon=-73.359722 |
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|description=A [[Stick style]] house built in 1879 , an associated cottage, and a carriage barn.<ref name="nrhpinv3_Godillot">{{cite web|url=http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/77001396.pdf |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Godillot Place |date=September, 1976 |author=T. Robins Brown|publisher=National Park Service}} and [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Photos/77001396.pdf ''Accompanying 10 photos, exterior and interior, from 1976'']</ref> |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=5 |
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|refnum=91000391 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=Green Farms School |
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|name=Green Farms School |
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|address=Junction of Morningside Dr. S. and Boston Post Rd., In the [[Greens Farms]] |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1991-04-19 |
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|image= |
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|lat=41.136944 |
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|lon=-73.325278 |
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|description=[[Tudor Revival style]] school built in 1925, designed by architect [[Charles Cutler]]<ref name="nrhpinv3_GreenFarms">{{cite web|url=http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/91000391.pdf |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: Greens Farms School |date=August 20, 1990 |author=Jan Cunningham|publisher=National Park Service}} and [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Photos/91000391.pdf ''Accompanying nine photos, exterior and interior, from 1990 (see photo captions page 6 of text document)'']</ref> |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=6 |
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|refnum=98000884 |
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|type=HD |
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|article=Kings Highway North Historic District |
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|name=Kings Highway North Historic District |
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|address=Roughly along Kings Highway, N., from Wilton Rd. to Woodside Ave. |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1998-08-10 |
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|image= |
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|lat=41.140556 |
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|lon=-73.368333 |
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|description=<!-- Description goes here --> |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=7 |
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|refnum=91000392 |
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|type=HD |
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|article=Mill Cove Historic District |
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|name=Mill Cove Historic District |
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|address=Between Compo Mill Cove and Long Island Sound |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1991-04-19 |
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|image= |
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|lat=41.113056 |
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|lon=-73.342222 |
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|description=<!-- Description goes here --> |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=8 |
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|refnum=84000812 |
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|type=HD |
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|article=National Hall Historic District |
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|name=National Hall Historic District |
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|address=Riverside Ave., Wilton and Post Rds.; in downtown Westport, on the west side of (and abutting) the Saugatuck River and north side of Post Road East |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1984-09-13 |
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|image= |
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|lat=41.140278 |
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|lon=-73.365 |
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|description= |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=9 |
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|refnum=87000126 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=Saugatuck River Bridge |
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|name=Saugatuck River Bridge |
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|address=CT 136 |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1987-02-12 |
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|image=Saugatuck River Bridge, Spanning Saugatuck River at Route 136, Westport (Fairfield County, Connecticut).jpg |
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|lat=41.122778 |
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|lon=-73.369444 |
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|description=From 1884, a swinging bridge |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=10 |
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|refnum=87000846 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=Saugatuck River Railroad Bridge |
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|name=Saugatuck River Railroad Bridge |
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|address=[[Amtrak]] right-of-way at the [[Saugatuck River]] |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1987-06-12 |
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|image=Saugatuck River Bridge, Saugatuck (Fairfield County, Connecticut).jpg |
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|lat=41.119444 |
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|lon=-73.368889 |
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|description= |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=11 |
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|refnum=99000432 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=Shambaugh House |
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|name=Shambaugh House |
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|address=12 Old Hill Rd. |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1999-04-09 |
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|image= |
|||
|lat=41.143889 |
|||
|lon=-73.37 |
|||
|description=<!-- Description goes here --> |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=12 |
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|refnum=82004343 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=Town Hall (Westport, Connecticut) |
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|name=Town Hall |
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|address=90 Post Rd. E. |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=1982-05-18 |
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|image= |
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|lat=41.141111 |
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|lon=-73.360833 |
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|description=The former Town Hall |
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}} |
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{{NRHP row |
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|pos=13 |
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|refnum=06000593 |
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|type=NRHP |
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|article=Westport Bank and Trust Company |
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|name=Westport Bank and Trust Company |
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|address=87 Post Rd. E., in downtown Westport |
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|city=Westport |
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|county=[[Fairfield County, Connecticut]] |
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|date=2006-11-06 |
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|image=Westport Bank and Trust Company, Westport, CT, USA 2012 C.JPG |
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|lat=41.141667 |
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|lon=-73.361111 |
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|description= |
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}} |
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|} |
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{{Collapse bottom}} |
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===Pop Culture=== |
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===In music=== |
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* One of the most popular tracks on [[REO Speedwagon]]'s eponymous debut album, released on Epic Records in 1971, was "157 Riverside Avenue". The title refers to the Westport address where the band stayed during the recording process. |
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===In musicals and onstage=== |
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* In the musical ''[[Rent (musical)|Rent]]'', Benny is married to Alison Grey of Westport, who comes from a wealthy family. |
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===In television=== |
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* Westport is where the Ricardos and the Mertz' moved to when Lucy and Ricky bought a house in the country on ''[[I Love Lucy]]''. |
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* Westport was the location of the fictional residence (1164 Morning Glory Circle) of Darrin and Samantha Stephens on the television series ''[[Bewitched]]''.<ref name="Terrace1993">{{cite book|author=Vincent Terrace|title=Television character and story facts: over 110,000 details from 1,008 shows, 1945-1992|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=1jUbAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=13 November 2011|date=October 1993|publisher=McFarland & Co.|isbn=978-0-89950-891-7|page=46}}</ref> |
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* ''[[The Twilight Zone]]'' had one episode called "[[A Stop at Willoughby]]", wherein the main character worked in NYC and commuted by train to his home in Westport.<ref name="Feldman2010">{{cite book|author=Leslie Dale Feldman|title=Spaceships and Politics: The Political Theory of Rod Serling|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=sD1Rj8rRDiUC&pg=PA91|accessdate=13 November 2011|date=30 November 2010|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-0-7391-2045-3|pages=91–92}}</ref> It aired on May 6, 1960, and the episode was written by then-Westport resident [[Rod Serling]]. |
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* In the television series "[[The Dick Van Dyke Show]]", Alan Brady, the star of the show that Rob Petrie worked for, lived in Westport. |
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* In the television series ''[[The West Wing]]'', [[Bradley Whitford]] plays Josh Lyman, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, who comes from a wealthy family from Westport. |
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*In the television show "[[Boy Meets World]]", [[Anthony Tyler Quinn]] plays Mr. Jonathan Turner, main character's high school teacher, who comes from Westport. |
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===Parks and recreation=== |
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* Comprising {{convert|234|acre|km2}}, [[Sherwood Island State Park]] is located on [[Long Island Sound]] and includes beach access. Compo Beach and Burying Hill Beach are municipal beaches that are open to out-of-town visitors in the summer for a fee. The state's 9/11 memorial was put in [[Sherwood Island State Park]] in Westport; on a clear day you can see the New York City skyline.<ref name="LascheverCantele2009">{{cite book|author1=Barnett D. Laschever|author2=Andi Marie Cantele|author3=Kim Grant|title=Explorer's Guide Connecticut|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4PVT3Qk8AAYC&pg=PA88|accessdate=28 November 2011|date=18 May 2009|publisher=The Countryman Press|isbn=978-0-88150-824-6|pages=88–}}</ref> |
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{{Clear}} |
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{{Panorama |
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| image = File:Longshore Club Park Panoramic, Westport, CT.jpg |
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|alt = A panoramic view looking over Longshore Club Park, Westport, CT. |
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| fullwidth = 4370 |
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| fullheight = 665 |
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| caption = Panorama of Westport town park: Longshore Club Park, taken in 2011. |
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| height = 265 |
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}} |
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*In 1960 Westport purchased Longshore Club Park. |
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{{Clear}} |
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{{Panorama |
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| image = File:Panorama, Compo Beach, Westport, CT 01.JPG |
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|alt = A panoramic view looking over Compo Beach, Westport, CT. |
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| fullwidth = 18257 |
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| fullheight = 3713 |
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| caption = Panorama of Compo Beach, Westport, CT, taken in 2012. |
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| height = 270 |
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}} |
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===Media=== |
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{{Main|Media in Westport, Connecticut}} |
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Westport's first newspaper dates back to the printing and publication of the first issue of ''The Saugatuck Journal'' on December 26, 1828.<ref name=Klein(Conn.)2000.119.146>{{cite book|author1=Woody Klein|author2=Westport Historical Society (Conn.)|title=Westport, Connecticut: the story of a New England town's rise to prominence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mLh4AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=29 November 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31126-0|pages=119–146}}</ref><ref name=Klein(Conn.)2000.65.82>{{cite book|author1=Woody Klein|author2=Westport Historical Society (Conn.)|title=Westport, Connecticut: the story of a New England town's rise to prominence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mLh4AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=21 November 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31126-0|pages=65–82}}</ref> |
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Westport is served by both English-language newspapers and news websites including ''[[Westport News (Connecticut)|Westport News]]'' and ''[[WestportNow]]'', as well as the [[Westport Minuteman]]. The town is also home to a monthly magazine ''Westport.'' |
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===Literature and film=== |
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''For a more comprehensive list, see: [[List of Literature and films from Westport, Connecticut]]'' |
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Westport has been the subject, inspiration, or location for written and cinematic works. |
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*In the popular book series, [[Percy Jackson and the Olympians]] by [[Rick Riordan]], the main antagonist, Luke Castellan, formerly lived in Westport. |
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*In 1911, part of the film ''[[The Charity of the Poor]]'' was filmed in Saugatuck<ref>[http://imdb.com/List?endings=on&&locations=Saugatuck,+Connecticut,+USA Internet Movie DataBase Web site's page for Saugatuck, Connecticut], accessed on July 2, 2006</ref> followed up the next year, in 1912, with the film ''[[In Time of Peril]].'' |
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*Two films partially filmed in Westport during the 1950s include the 1956 movie, ''[[The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit]]'', with [[Gregory Peck]], based on the book by [[Sloan Wilson]] which was itself based in Westport, takes place in part and was filmed in parts of Westport. In particular, shots of the Westport Saugatuck train station can be seen, as well as a sequence towards the end of the movie showing a still recognizable Westport Main Street in the late 1950s. Followed up by the 1958 production of ''[[Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!]].''<ref name="Levy2009">Shawn Levy. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=Gtj5Ms8jMQQC&pg=PT178 Paul Newman: A Life]''. Random House Digital, Inc.; 5 May 2009 [cited 12 November 2011]. ISBN 978-0-307-35375-7. p. 178.</ref> |
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*The 1968 film ''[[The Swimmer (film)|The Swimmer]]'' starring Burt Lancaster and based on a short story by John Cheever, was partially filmed in Westport backyard pools.<ref name=Donovan1990>{{cite news|last=Donovan|first=Elisabeth|title=Just Pooling Around|accessdate=13 November 2011|newspaper=The Miami Herald|date=24 June 1990}}</ref> |
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*The 1972 the local filmmaker Sean Cunningham shot ''[[The Last House on the Left (1972 film)|The Last House on the Left]]'' which was his first feature film.<ref name="The Film journal">{{cite book|title=The Film journal|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8QnsAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=14 November 2011|date=1 January 1989|publisher=Pubsun Corp.}}</ref> Three years later the 1975 production of ''[[The Stepford Wives (1975 film)|The Stepford Wives]]'' was released featuring scenes shot in a Williamsburg colonial house in Westport.<ref name=Charles1985>{{cite news|last=Charles|first=Eleanor|title=Connecticut Guide|accessdate=13 November 2011|newspaper=New York Times|date=21 April 1985}}</ref> |
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*The 1998 production ''[[This Is My Father]]'' was partly filmed in Westport.<ref name="BessièreOdin2004">{{cite book|author1=Irène Bessière|author2=Roger Odin|title=Les européens dans le cinéma américain: émigration et exil|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=MVEXawZ3zD0C&pg=PA217|accessdate=14 November 2011|year=2004|publisher=Presses Sorbonne Nouvelle|isbn=978-2-87854-261-5|page=217}}</ref> |
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*The film ''[[The Girl Next Door (2004 film)|The Girl Next Door]]'' was vaguely based on Westport - director [[Luke Greenfield]] grew up in town. It was filmed and set in California. That same decade parts of the 2008 production of ''[[The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2]]'' were filmed in Westport<ref>{{cite news|last=Meyers|first=Joe|title=Major movies filmed scenes in Conn.|accessdate=13 November 2011|newspaper=Connecticut Post Online|date=10 September 2008}} "The recent Warner Bros. release "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" features parts of Bridgeport standing in for Providence, R.I. and Manhattan; the Westport Country Playhouse is passed off as a Vermont summer stock theater; and WestConn in Danbury fills in for the Rhode Island School of Design."</ref> |
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===Notable people=== |
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''For a more comprehensive list, see: [[List of people from Westport, Connecticut]]'' |
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Among the many famous actors, singers and other entertainers who have lived in town are [[Helen Keller]] and [[Paul Newman]] who was active in supporting the Westport County Theatre until his death in 2008.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/movies/28newman.html | work=The New York Times | title=Paul Newman, a Magnetic Titan of Hollywood, Is Dead at 83 | first=Aljean | last=Harmetz | date=September 28, 2008 | accessdate=April 6, 2010}}</ref><ref name="The Encyclopedia of New York City Second Edition">{{cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of New York City Second Edition|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lI5ERUmHf3YC&pg=PT3240|accessdate=12 December 2011|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-18257-6|pages=3240–}}</ref>[[Fala (dog)|Fala]] (1940–1952), President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s dog, was an early Christmas gift from Mrs. Augustus G. Kellogg, a town resident.<ref name="Derr2005">{{cite book|author=Mark Derr|title=A Dog's History of America: How Our Best Friend Explored, Conquered, and Settled a Continent|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=AO1WTqb5fMwC&pg=PA305|accessdate=12 November 2011|date=15 September 2005|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-374-52997-0|page=305}}</ref> |
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Actress [[Gene Tierney]] grew up in Greens Farms.<ref name="Inc1940">{{cite book|author=Time Inc|title=LIFE|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tj8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35|accessdate=12 November 2011|date=19 February 1940|publisher=Time Inc|page=35|id={{ISSN|00243019}}}</ref> |
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[[Martha Stewart]] also lived in Westport at her historic estate of Turkey Hill.<ref name="Price2007">{{cite book|author=Joann F. Price|title=Martha Stewart: a biography|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=uIAgzyk4VboC&pg=PA33|accessdate=12 November 2011|date=June 2007|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-33893-9|page=33}}</ref> |
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===Nonprofit institutions=== |
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* [[Save the Children (U.S.)|Save the Children]], the American charity, governed entirely separately from the British charity of the same name is headquarted in Westport.<ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.1.15" /><ref name="Klein(Conn.)2000.181.204">{{cite book|author1=Woody Klein|author2=Westport Historical Society (Conn.)|title=Westport, Connecticut: the story of a New England town's rise to prominence|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mLh4AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=28 November 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31126-0|pages=181–204}}</ref> |
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* The [[Smith Richardson Foundation]], a public policy think tank, is headquartered in Westport, Connecticut. |
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==Economy and industry== |
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{{Main|Economy of Westport, Connecticut}} |
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{{See also|List of companies based in Westport, Connecticut}} |
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There are three periods in Westport's economic and industrial history. First was farming, then industry and manufacturing, and finally services: financial, professional, scientific, and technical.<ref name=CityData2011 /><ref name=Jennings.39>{{cite book|last=Jennings|pages=39}}</ref> |
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''Farming'' - From 1648 with the settlement and commencement of farming at Bankside for the next two and half centuries Greens Farms flourished as an agricultural area. At its peak From 1861-1865 Westport was the largest onion seller to the U.S. Army during the Civil War in the United States. 75 farmers contributed to the onion industry that saw up to ten dollars for a barrel of white onions sold to the New York City market. 89-95 The onion industry ended with the arrival of the cutworm which wiped out the community's crop.<ref name="Jennings.39"/> |
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''Industrialization'' - in the 20th century, Westport's manufacturing activities expanded mills and factories and it became a shipping center. |
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''Service industry'' - the financial services sector employs 7,171 in Westport; half of whom commute daily to Westport.<ref name=CityData2011 /> The financial services industry is a major segment of the local economy. The major financial services companies in Westport now are [[Bridgewater Associates]], a global [[Investment management|investment manager]] and Westport's largest employer, [[Canaan Partners]], a leading early stage venture capital firm focusing on IT and life sciences, and [[The Bank of New York Mellon|BNY Mellon]].<ref name=WestportNow2010>{{cite news|title=Bridgewater, Town’s Largest Employer, Could Be Leaving|url=http://westportnow.com/index.php?/v2/comments/bridgewater_towns_largest_employer_could_be_leaving/|accessdate=13 November 2011|newspaper=WestportNow|date=9 July 2010}}</ref> Professional, scientific, and technical services companies include [[Terex]], a [[Fortune 500]] company manufacturing industrial equipment and offering professional and technical services around those products, [[Playtex|Playtex Products Inc.]] concentrating on feminine, infant, and skin care products, and [[dLife]], a multimedia diabetes education (and marketing) company. |
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==Transportation== |
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[[Image:Saugatuck River, Westport.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Saugatuck River]]]] |
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[[Interstate 95 in Connecticut|Interstate 95]], the [[Merritt Parkway]] and [[U.S. Route 1 in Connecticut|U.S. 1]], as well as the [[Saugatuck River]], run through Westport. |
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Westport has two train stations, [[Green's Farms (Metro-North station)|Green's Farms]] and [[Westport (Metro-North station)|Westport]] on the [[Metro-North Railroad]]'s [[New Haven Line]], which serves [[Stamford Transportation Center|Stamford]] and [[Grand Central Terminal]] in [[New York City]] or [[Union Station (New Haven, Connecticut)|New Haven-Union Station]]. This line is shared with [[Amtrak]] trains as it is part of the [[Northeast Corridor]], but no Amtrak services stop at Green's Farms or Westport. The nearest Amtrak stations are at [[Bridgeport (Metro-North station)|Bridgeport]] (10 miles) and Stamford (12 miles). |
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==Sister cities== |
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Westport currently has three [[Twin towns and sister cities|sister cities]]: |
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* {{flagicon|France}} [[Marigny|Marigny, France]]{{disambiguation needed|date=January 2012}} |
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* {{flagicon|Russia}} [[St. Petersburg, Russia]] |
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* {{flagicon|China}} [[Yangzhou|Yangzhou, People's Republic of China]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
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{{Commons category|Westport, Connecticut}} |
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==External links== |
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{{Portal|Connecticut}} |
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* [http://www.westportct.gov/ Town of Westport official site] |
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* [http://www.westportlibrary.org/ Westport Public Library] |
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* [http://www.westportnow.com/ WestportNow] |
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{{Fairfield County, Connecticut}} |
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{{Connecticut}} |
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{{New York metropolitan area}} |
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{{New England}} |
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Revision as of 18:33, 26 August 2012
Westport, Connecticut | |
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Country | United States |
State | Connecticut |
NECTA | Bridgeport-Stamford |
Region | South Western Region |
Incorporated | May 28, 1835 |
Government | |
• Type | Representative town meeting |
• First selectman | Gordon F. Joseloff |
• Town meeting moderator | Hadley C. Rose |
Area | |
• Total | 33.3 sq mi (86.2 km2) |
• Land | 20.0 sq mi (51.8 km2) |
• Water | 13.3 sq mi (34.5 km2) |
Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
Population (2010)[1] | |
• Total | 26,391 |
• Density | 790/sq mi (310/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
ZIP code | 06880 |
Area code | 203 |
FIPS code | 09-83500 |
GNIS feature ID | 0213532 |
Website | http://www.westportct.gov/ |
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