A 501 (c)(3) organization is being formed for those interested in Westport Island’s proud history. The “Friends of Westport Island History” will be a member-based organization whose mission will be to further the collection of historical records and artifacts, showcasing it to the public, while fostering a culture that values and recognizes the contributions of volunteers and donors.

The town of Westport Island wasn’t formed until 1828, in a split from neighboring Edgecomb, but there are homes that date back to pre-Revolution settlement of the Midcoast area, and some of the early tidal mill sites can still be seen on the southern end of the island. The town hall is a late 18th century gem. Local year-round and seasonal residents have long had an interest in documenting and celebrating the town’s history, and several books have been published with old photographs and stories of life on the island going back more than 250 years.

Over time the town has received a number of documents and artifacts donated by community members and their descendants. An ad hoc History Committee, led by Mary Ellen Barnes, Gaye Wagner, and Mary Coventry, was able to obtain a grant to improve how these historical items are preserved, resulting in the renovation of the History Room in the Town Hall and the improved storage of documents. The Board of Selectmen established the Westport Island History Committee (WIHC) as a regular town standing committee. Committee members are appointed by the Selectmen with 3-year terms, charged with the responsibility of overseeing the collection and preservation of Westport Island’s history.

Interest in Westport Island history has grown, and with it the size of the Committee. In the summer of 2017 the members decided their mission would benefit with the formation of a sister organization, a Friends of Westport Island History. The “Friends” will be a membership organization, with all those interested able to join rather than needing appointment by the Selectmen. There are lots of projects that new people could become involved with, and as we all know, many hands make light work.

The “Friends” organization is also planned to help by raising funds, both from grants, where a non-profit has more opportunities than a town, and from private donations, where donors can receive a tax deduction. There have been times when the History Committee wanted to acquire an item for the town without the time to raise the money needed. An acquisition fund could be one objective for the Friends group.

Another need will soon be storage space for the town’s collection of documents and artifacts. Space in the Town’s History Room has become tight, as more gifts have been given to the town, now that there is a secure place to store them. And the hope is that more residents will feel comfortable in donating or loaning old family photographs or correspondence, articles of 19^th century clothes and textiles, or a ship’s log, knowing that those treasures will be maintained for future generations.

Note: Items that have been donated to the town remain owned by the town, and under the control of the WIHC. Items donated in the future to the Friends, thereby receiving a tax benefit, will be formally loaned to the town and maintained by the WIHC.

At present, Westport Island has no museum or display case in a town building where selected items from the town collection could be shown safely. Setting up a museum space, with expanded archival storage, would be another great project where the Friends organization could take a leading role.

More information about the Friends of Westport Island History will be coming out later this summer. To find out more, or to be put on a mailing list for news, please email wihistorycommittee@gmail.com, or call WIHC Chair Jeff Tarbox at 776-2015.