Westport In Focus is a virtual oral history project that began to document the COVID-19 crisis in our town but has evolved into Westporters—and former Westporters—telling their own stories and sharing observations during the dramatic and historic age in which we find ourselves. Westport in Focus marries the skill of the experienced portraitist with the curatorial and oral history expertise of the museum. The goal is to create a first-hand, living history of the town’s experiences during this time for future generations. Westporters—and those who work in Westport—are encouraged to participate.
The project can be viewed on Instagram @WestportFocus and Facebook @WestportInFocus. Families can signup by emailing the museum at virtualmuseum@westporthistory.org
- Focus On: Ellis Freeman Family
Trey Ellis and Dr. Amanda Freeman and their blended family have lived in Westport for … Read more - Focus On: Minnie Lee Seo
Korean-American Westporter Minnie Seo graduated from Laurelton Hall in Milford in 2020. She majors in Music Education at UCLA College and spoke at the #StopAsianHate … Read more - One Year On: Re-Focus on Nicole Gerber
Nicole Gerber was one of the first Westporters to be featured in the Westport in Focus series … Read more - Focus On: Roe Halper
Roe Halper was born Brooklyn in 1937 and was raised in White Plains. She studied art … Read more - Focus On: Arlene Yolles
Arlene Yolles has lived in Westport since 1979. A retired math teacher, Arlene writes a … Read more - Focus On: Monique Hodges, President, Westport Young Woman’s League
Monique Hodges is the current President of the Westport Young Woman’s League which she joined … Read more - Focus On: Will Haskell
Will Haskell made news in 2018 when he was elected in as Connecticut’s youngest state … Read more - Focus On: Rev. Dr. John T. Morehouse
Rev. Dr. John T. Morehouse, Senior Minister of the Unitarian Church in Westport has lived in Westport … Read more - Focus On: Diane Sembrot, Editor, Westport Magazine
Diane Sembrot has many centuries of roots in Westport through her Wakeman ancestors. Today she … Read more - Focus On: Peggy Henkel
Mrs. Margaret “Peggy” Henkel moved to Westport in 1965 and was part of a group of locals … Read more - Focus On: Michael Friedman, Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel
Michael Friedman is originally from Great Neck, NY. He attended Yale University as an undergraduate where he … Read more - Focus On: Patton Family
The Patton family moved to Westport eight years ago from Simsbury. Rev. Alison J. Buttrick … Read more - Focus On: David Adam Waldman
A life-long Westporter who has lived in town for fifty years, having moved here at age one, … Read more - Focus On: Edward F. Gerber
A recognizable figure around town, Ed Gerber has lived in Westport for 10 years although … Read more - Focus On: Adam Moore & Family
Adam Moore is the CEO and co-founder of WHEELHOUSE Center for Health and Wellbeing along … Read more - Focus On: Darcy Hicks
Darcy Hicks is a well-known figure throughout town—an activist and artist who moved here with her brother … Read more - Focus On: Cat Graham, Westport Museum Associate
Catherine—Cat—Graham joined Westport Museum as an associate, after graduating from Staples High School in 2019. In addition to greeting … Read more - Focus On: Jes Bengston, Regional Executive Chef, Terrain Café and Amis in Westport
Chef Jes Bengston has worked in Westport for the last four years at Terrain’s popular … Read more - Focus On: Stafford Thomas
Lessons I Learned From This Pandemic For one, we know that this dreadful virus has put our … Read more - Focus on: Michael Barker, Managing Director, Westport Country Playhouse
Michael originally hales from Jonesboro, Arkansas and Sewanee, Tennessee. He spent 4 years in graduate school … Read more - Focus On: Diane Benke & Family
“We have lived in Westport 10 ½ years. I am a stay at home mom … Read more - Focus On: Michelle Murphy & Family
As I write this, we are in week six of social distancing. Although I have … Read more - Focus On: Laura Tucker & Family
The Tuckers, Laura, David and their three kids Lili, a college freshman; Avery a Staples sophomore … Read more - Focus On: Netta Levy & Family
I am a PTA volunteer (Staples high school PTA President) and a marketing consultant. I’ve been … Read more - Focus On: Cheryl Bliss
Cheryl Bliss has lived in Westport for 40 years. She moved here with her husband, Michael, and together … Read more - Focus On: CLASP
Since 1976, CLASP group homes, headquartered in Westport, creates and supports family environments for people with autism and intellectual … Read more - Focus On: Lisa Laudico & Family
Lisa Laudico has lived in Westport for 13 years with her husband and two sons. She is … Read more - Focus On: Kelle & Jeff Ruden
Originally hailing from Texas, Kelle Ruden has lived in Westport for 20 years with her husband … Read more - Focus On: Bob Mitchell
Bob Mitchell is a former chairperson of Westport Museum (Westport Historical Society). He’s lived in … Read more - Focus On: Westport Third Selectperson, Melissa Kane
Melissa Kane is Westport’s Third Selectperson. Raised in Manhattan she spent summers in Westport as … Read more - Focus On: Chef Matt Storch
Chef Matt Storch, owner of Match restaurant in SoNo and Westport’s own BurgerLobster was born and raised in Westport. … Read more - Focus On: Westport First Selectman, Jim Marpe
Ohio Native, Jim Marpe and his wife, Mary Ellen, have lived in Westport for 31 years. Previously … Read more - Focus On: Sara Scully and Family
Sara Scully and her family have lived in Westport for four years. She is a … Read more - Focus On: Chef Bill Taibe
Chef and Restaurateur Bill Taibe, is the mastermind behind the beloved Westport restaurants, Ka Wa Ni, the Whelk … Read more - Focus On: Lindsay Bilchik & Family
This has been a special time for our family of 3 to be together before baby number … Read more - Focus On: Dawn Collins
Dawn Collins has lived in Westport for 20 years although she originally hails from Maine. … Read more - Focus On: Larry Untermeyer
At 91 years old, Larry Untermeyer is still very much the international jet-setting man-about-town he … Read more - Focus On: Liz Britten & Family
I was aware of COVID in January because of what was happening in China. In … Read more - Focus On: Navida Greifenberger & Family
Navida Greifenberger has lived in Westport with her husband and almost-9-year-old daughter for 8 years. She is the … Read more - Focus On: Stephanie Webster & Family
I am the Editor for CTBites, Your Guide To Great Food in CT. As you can imagine, the playing … Read more - Focus On: Stephanie Szostak & Family
Stephanie Szostak, her husband and two boys, aged 17 and 13 have lived in Westport … Read more - Focus On: Sheri Gordon
Sheri Rabiner Gordon is a member of Westport’s Board of Finance. “I spend my days helping everyone … Read more - Focus On: Annette Norton
I own a local department store on Main Street: Savvy+Grace. It went from a retail business … Read more - Focus On: Jay Dirnberger & Molly Alger
Jay Dirnberger and Molly Alger moved to Westport from New York City 11 years ago and quickly … Read more - Focus On: Alana Flinn & Family
We’ve lived in Westport for 9 years and have two young girls. I’m a stay … Read more - Focus On: Kristin Ehrlich & Family
We’ve lived in Westport for 17 years and I am an Occupational Therapist at a … Read more - Focus On: Ken & Alice Bernhard
Ken Bernhard is a name—and a face—recognizable around town. A principal in the local law … Read more - Focus On: Amy Mandelbaum
I own a gym called CrossFit Westport which I closed proactively before the state mandated closings. I felt that … Read more - Focus On: Deej & Deborah Webb
Deej Webb has lived in Westport since 1967 and attended Saugatuck Elementary, Bedford Junior High … Read more - Focus On: Jen Schlegelmilch & Family
I am a divorced mom with three boys. Life happens and the unexpected is always … Read more - Focus On: Harold & Bernicestine McLeod Bailey
Harold and Bernicestine Bailey are Chair and Secretary, respectively, of the town’s diversity action committee (TEAM Westport) which works … Read more - Focus On The Porretta Family: Drawing Strength from Memory
Along with everyone, our daily routine has disappeared. We are building new routines together and … Read more - Focus On The Greely Family: Sending Encouragement to Those on the Front Lines
My husband David and I (NAME) are both self-employed. I’m an artist; primarily a printmaker and painter. All … Read more - Focus On the Kaplan Family: An Ordinary Family Living Thru an Extraordinary Time
Amy Kaplan is an artist, an event planner and an elected RTM member. She, her … Read more - Focus On Quincy Cuthbertson & Family: The College Perspective
Quincy Cuthbert has spent all of her 18 years in Westport, having been born and … Read more - Focus On The Griffiths Family: Facing Challenges Head On
The Griffiths family found their home in Westport 5 years ago, having immigrated to Connecticut from Cape Town, South Africa, 11 years ago. Dad, Warren, … Read more - Focus On Jill Rizack: Moving from “It’s Mine” to “It’s Ours”
Jill Rizack is a graphic designer who owns Blush Waters, a company that specializes in event invitations in … Read more - Focus On The Lukacs Family: Within Us There is Something Stronger
The Lukacs family (left to right), Michael, Julianna, Char and Evan have lived in Westport … Read more - Focus On Chris Buckley: There’s A Light at the End of Every Tunnel
Together for 30 years, Chris Buckley, and his husband Mark Ciano moved to Westport in 2013 from Forest Hills, Queens when their … Read more - Focus On Laura & Dan Nissim
Dan Nissim is a software engineer who works remotely and his wife Laura is a Board … Read more - Focus On Jen Tooker: Getting Through & Getting Stronger
Jen Tooker has lived in Westport with her husband Mo since 2008. The couple has … Read more - Focus On Donisha Diagne: Ultimately, We’re Going to be Ok
For the last 11 years, Donisha and Alie Diagne have made Westport their home and where they’ve raised three children, … Read more - Focus On Alisyn Camerota: A Comforting Morning Presence
Journalist Alisyn Camerota is the anchor of New Day: CNN’s morning news show. She has lived in Westport for seven … Read more - Focus On Diane Lowman: Things Will Mend
Diane Lowman is a yoga instructor who has lived in Westport for 23 years. Last … Read more - Focus On Nathalie Laitmon: On The Virtual Frontlines
Nathalie Laitmon has lived in Westport for 15 years. The writer and mom of three contracted COVID-19 … Read more - Focus On Nicole Gerber Staying AWARE of What Matters
Nicole is the co-director of AWARE CT, a volunteer run non-profit that works to make meaningful … Read more - Focus On Bill Chase: Things Are the Same, But Different
Bill Chase has lived in Westport for 45 years in the same home where he and his wife Katie raised … Read more - Focus On The Scharfstein Family: Radical Acceptance of What Is
The Scharfstein family (from left to right) Lee, Arielle, Kaya and Brooke (with Ryder the dog) live … Read more
History happens every day and all around us. Sometimes that fact is more apparent than at others in our lives but this is one of those times when it is crystal clear. Our hope is that we can record history for posterity and for the knowledge of future generations.
RAMIN GANESHRAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WESTPORT MUSEUM
In an effort to remain connected as a community, our mission is to show our faces to our neighbors. We can’t forget who we are behind the closed doors during this pandemic. Partnering with Westport Museum to create a living history to be archived for future generations will demonstrate how we survived, thrived, and maintained our humanity as a town in this unprecedented time.
JERRI GRAHAM, WESTPORT IN FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHER
Partially funded by a grant from CT Humanities
Any views or opinions expressed in this oral history project are personal to the profile subject, belong solely to said person and do not necessarily represent opinions of Westport Historical Society D/B/A Westport Museum for History & Culture, its employees, board members, volunteers or contractors.