Jesup Green has been in the news lately. Plans to add parking spots at the top — and, later, more green space near the Saugatuck River — have sparked controversy.
The small park in the center of town has long been a gathering spot, for joyful celebrations and solemn ceremonies.
For decades, it was the end point for the Memorial Day parade. Speeches, patriotic songs and 21-gun salutes followed (as kids rode their bikes in the parking lot, and the Good Humor man did a brisk business).
In 1965, Staples student Adam Stolpen delivered the Memorial Day address. Others in the photo include Westport resident and former Connecticut Governor John Davis Lodge (Navy cap) and World War I veteran and grand marshal E.O. Nigel Cholmeley-Jones (in uniform).
In August of 2013, Jesup Green was packed for a different type of ceremony.
Hundreds of Westporters honored the town’s Little League all-stars. They’d just returned from the Little League World Series, where they made a magical run all the way to the finals.
Jeb Backus marveled, “As a 3rd-generation Westporter living here for 50 years, this was the most special town event I have ever attended. Absolutely amazing.”
(Photo/Jeb Backus)
NOTE: That’s not the first connection between Jesup Green and Little League. In the 1950s and ’60s, there was a baseball diamond a few yards away — near where the Westport Library is now.
And next to both: the town dump. I’m not making this up.
More recently, Jesup Green has been the site of rallies: for Black Lives Matter, and against anti-Asian and antisemitic incidents.
It’s also where Westport Pride holds its LGBTQ+ celebration every June.
Local clergy members on Jesup Green, at Westport Pride.
Jesup Green is where Westporters gather, in good times and bad.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945 — exactly 79 years ago today.
Two days later, stores throughout Westport closed.
Residents headed to the green. They sang “America,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Abide With Me.”
Veterans fired a military salute. The somber sounds of “Taps” filled the air.
As it had been for decades — and continues to be today, Jesup Green was Westport’s town square.
(Courtesy of Cindy Buckley)
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