DEVELOPMENT Westport Museum for History and Culture

Getting Creative: Wartime Weddings in the US and UK
2023-06-07 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Westport Museum for History & Culture, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT, 06880, United States
Did you know that, during World War II, wedding rates skyrocketed? It seemed soldiers and civilians alike were rushing to the altar. However, due to limited resources in the US and fabric restrictions in the UK, brides had to get creative. Come and hear about the unique ways women found to make wedding dresses for their wartime weddings.
We encourage participants to bring a bagged lunch to enjoy while listening. Registration is strongly recommended, sign up below.

LGBTQ Oral Histories Wanted!
2023-06-01 - 2023-07-15
12:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Westport Pride and the Westport Museum for History & Culture have joined forces to create a new LGBTQ Oral History Project!
Historically, queer narratives have been conspicuously absent from community archives, leaving a void in the historical record. This omission is a consequence of the pervasive bias and criminalization endured by gay, trans, and nonbinary citizens throughout history.
Want your story to be heard? Throughout June and July, LGBTQ Westporters can participate in our LGBTQ Oral History Project by booking a time slot for a video or in-person oral history interview with our staff.
To ensure the preservation and accessibility of these valuable interviews, the Westport Museum will house them in its digital archive. The transcripts will be integrated into finding aids, searchable through the Connecticut Digital Archive, facilitating easy access to this vital source material.
By sharing your experiences, you are making an enduring contribution to the historical narrative of Westport and empowering future generations to understand and appreciate the struggles and triumphs of LGBTQ individuals.
Use the form below to choose a slot to visit the Museum and film your oral history. Slots are available Tuesday through Friday. (Please note: the form may take an additional minute or two to load.)

Heartfelt Letters: Discussions of Grief
2023-05-30 19:00 - 20:00
Society has been in the midst of a difficult time in global history. Many are experiencing grief, either personal or as a community. This sense of profound loss is a part of the shared human experience and can be made easier through expression in many forms.
Join us for a three-part discussion on historic collections—letters, diaries, textiles and objects—that illuminate the feelings of those who came before that reflect our modern experience. Learn how their stories progressed and how we continue to draw these stories into the light.
To register for our virtual series reserve your space below.

Unpopular Opinions: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
2023-05-24 18:00 - 19:00
Despite their fantastical themes, the Pirates of the Caribbean movies are surprisingly accurate about the history of piracy. From characters to costumes to countries, there is some truth to many aspects of the films. Can you separate fact from fiction as we discuss the very first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, also known as The Curse of the Black Pearl? Sit back and have some laughs with Captain Jack Sparrow, but don’t forget to watch carefully and bring your thoughts to Unpopular Opinions!
Unpopular Opinions is a monthly discussion group that analyzes works of historical fiction, as well as nonfiction, for their accuracy and overall quality. Group members are encouraged to share their thoughts and questions, so grab a book, watch some TV, and get ready to share your unpopular opinions! Recommended for teen audiences and up.
Registration recommended, sign up below.

Chats on the Past: Sofi Thanhauser
2023-05-18 18:00 - 19:00
Join us for a discussion with Sofi Thanhauser, author of Worn: A People’s History of Clothing. Thanhauser will discuss her book, a fascinating history of the textiles we use today and their origins from Louis XIV’s reign to the modern-day mass production of clothing. Learn how clothing is so much more than just a piece of fabric – it is a foundational part of our history and culture.
Register below for free.

Wedding Dress Deep Dive, Edwardian Gown
2023-05-11 18:30 - 19:30
In connection with our new exhibition, I Thee Wed: Bridal fashion from the Collection, take a closer look at one of our beautiful wedding dresses in detail. Learn the history of the dress, its structure, and popular styles of the time. Travel to the past as we recreate what this early 20th century dress would have looked like on a wedding day.
Visitors can explore several examples of wedding gowns—both white and the less traditional—in the Museum’s collection in I Thee Wed. Discover how these iconic dresses and their place in the world of fashion relate to wealth, class, gender, and women’s rights. Or try creating your own wedding dress with fashions from around the world at our interactive magnet wall.
Registration is strongly recommended, sign up below.

Music of the American Spirit: Black Excellence and the Sounds of the Jazz Age
2023-04-11 17:00 - 2023-04-29 21:00
Explore the history behind Ain’t Misbehavin’ with our new micro-exhibit in the Westport Playhouse’s lobby exploring the historical events that led to the Harlem Renaissance and the music featured in the play. This installation is the first of three exhibits accompanying productions during the theater’s 2023/24 season. Featuring costumes from Westport Museum’s collection and original research, the displays add context to the action on the stage.
