In 1777 the British landed on the shores of Compo Beach, and headed for what is now known as “The Battle of Danbury”, where they escaped a trap set by Benedict Arnold. The Westport Minutemen put up quite a fight, and held the British at bay. The copper statue of a Westport Minuteman, designed by Harry Daniel Webster, (and used in an “I Love Lucy” episode, when Lucy posed as the statue), still stands today, representing Westport’s illustrious early years.

Throughout the years, Westport grew and prospered. In 1960, its residents, a forward thinking active group, purchased the 110 acre Longshore Country Club for $1 million, for use as a town facility. This private country club, of which all Westport residents are automatically members, offers an 18 hole golf course, paddle and tennis courts, a swimming pool, a sailing school along with town docks and daily boat rentals, an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter, a pro shop, and The Longshore Inn, is one of Westport’s great treasures.

Responsive to its growing and changing community needs, Westport added a much used mini bus which runs regularly scheduled routes to the train station, shopping, the library, the Y, and even from the schools to places of worship for after school programs.

Westport is home to one of the state’s finest school systems, leading the way in curriculum, athletics, special education, gifted programs, and extracurricular activities, while stressing academic excellence and individual growth. Integrated within the program are music, drama, dance, visual arts, and even required foreign language study beginning in Kindergarten. Westport’s students are lucky enough to be offered a visiting relationship with performing artists from New York City’s Lincoln Center, among others.

The other side of the Westport story is a commercial one. Sometimes called the “Rodeo Drive of Connecticut”, Westport’s sophisticated yet informal Main Street atmosphere has attracted chic boutiques and fine restaurants, making the town a gourmet and shopping mecca.

F. Scott Fitzgerald summered here, as did Bette Davis. It is still home to many celebrities, who have joined the community to promote civic growth. Resident Paul Newman ran his “Hole in the Wall” charity here, while wife Joanne Woodward is busy running the committee to rebuild the Westport Playhouse. Michael Bolton stepped in at the last minute for a town fundraiser when hired entertained Ray Charles fell ill.

The warmth of the summer finds Westport’s residents heading for the sand and surf of one of Westport’s 3 private beaches, State Park, Sherwood Island or the free outdoor summer concerts, performed nightly at The Levitt Pavilion. Our summer open air Art Show closes off Main Street to traffic for one full weekend, for art connoisseurs and curious onlookers alike.

Whatever the season, Westport is a vital and exciting place offering an incredible quality of life.