Longtime local historian Bob Weingarten writes:
Peter Jennings is an 11th-generation Westporter. His family settled in this area around 1650.
For the past 23 years Peter has quietly maintained Jennings Trail, Westport’s network of roadside historic markers.
And he’s done it at his own cost.
Jennings Trail is named in honor of Peter’s cousin, beloved educator and well- known authority on Westport history, Bessie Jennings.
Originally conceived in 1974 as part of Westport’s plans to celebrate the Bicentennial, the Trail was initiated by the Westport Historical Society in collaboration with the Westport Young Woman’s League.
One of the plaques on Jennings Trail marks the Elmstead Lane home where Bessie Jennings was born, and died.
23 markers were installed at historic locations throughout Westport. They are made of bronze, mounted on stone plinths, and contain brief narrative descriptions that describe the significance of each site. Jennings Trail is now under the stewardship of the Westport Historic District Commission.
As it has been nearly 50 years since the markers were first installed, maintenance is necessary. On a recent weekend, Peter was spotted at Machamux Park off Greens Farms Road – site of our community’s very first meeting house.
Peter Jennings, rebuilding the Machamux marker base …
He carefully rebuilt the masonry base and reinstalled the bronze marker for the park’s Jennings Trail marker.
… and reinstalling the marker …
Meanwhile Peter, together with a small group of other local historians, is currently planning the first major expansion of Jennings Trail since the Bicentennial.
The group knows that a number of Westport’s most historic sites remain hidden in plain sight. Initially, 4 new markers will be installed. Each has a fascinating story to tell.
In the meantime: Thank you, Peter, for keeping Westport’s past alive.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
… and inspecting a site for a new marker. (Photos/Bob Weingarten)
Thank you, Peter Jennings! We very much appreciate what you do to keep the history of Westport alive. The Angus family would like to help if you can use us. Also, I’m pretty sure the Scouts are always looking for Eagle projects if that could be any help.
Peter is wonderful person he also takes care of joes for hope shelter if you no Peter he was the nicest people in Westport please get to no him
Nicest person ever.
Is there a map or something for people who might want to do a self guided tour? I remember doing at least part of the trail as a child on a school field trip, but I would love to take my husband on it now.
Thank you, Peter!
And yes, what Ellen said…absolutely, the nicest person ever!
Simply nice and wonderful. David Singer
Besides caring for the historical legacy of what now is Westport, what sets Peter Jennings apart is that he is a walking memory bank. He knows our town through family genealogy, tradition and artifacts, dating to the 17th century, along with Greens Farms Church history, and local property history. He knows who’s buried where in our ancient cemeteries, where they lived, and what they did. Now, by preserving and expanding the Jennings Trail, he is providing the rest of us, and generations that follow, with a window on how our town began, as a colonial Puritan settlement, in co-existence with local Native Americans, and how it evolved. Truly, Peter Jennings is far more than a “good neighbor.” He is a Town treasure, to whom we owe much gratitude.
Thank you Peter! You are a true Westport hero whose family has contributed so much to the history and development of our town! Thanks to Bob Weingarten also for being a true tracker of history allowing us all never to forget the remarkable history of Westport.
I believe Elmstead Lane only has one house on it. I have known those in the Jennings family and it’s nice to see someone who cares about Westport’s history!
I believe that Jennings family included “Pop” Jennings, the beloved custodian at Greens Farms School and then the original custodian at Burr Farms School. His daughter Grace worked at the ticket office at Greens Farms Station and became a cause celeb when the New Haven Railroad eliminated the position and people rallied to try to save it.
Pop, the custodian at Greens Farms School in the early to mid 1950s lived on Old Road across from Cuseo. He was a great guy. Not sure of the family connection though!
Thank you Peter Jennings – your selfless work preserving (and enhancing) Jennings Trail should have been recognized sooner – but know that many appreciate Jennings Trail and the preservation of local history it accomplishes so well. You are obviously cut from the same cloth as your cousin Bessie.
To echo another comment i: Is there amap that one may use for a self guided tour?
I remember a Sereno Jennings. The name I remember from the early 1950s I can’t recall if I met him or just my father talking about him.
Peters Grandfather. One of my favorite Westporters
Thank you!
Thank you, Bob, for sharing this wonderful story. And thank you, Peter, for all that you and your family have done over the centuries. I’ve worked with Peter in real estate and property management, and know him to be a truly remarkable person, so this is not surprising to hear about all the work he has done on the trail. He is an inspiration to the rest of us!
Thank you Peter for everything you’ve done for Westport, and continue to do.
I mean he takes care of the property we’re and is homes for hope all I am sorry if it was wrong
Peter’s passion for Westport and its rich history is remarkable and it was a pleasure working with him on any tour or event that celebrated the people and places that make our town so special.
Kudos to Peter for sharing information that inspires all Westporters to embrace gratitude for living in such a vibrant town!
So cool. I remember riding a school bus around town to see these plaques in elementary school and hearing the story of the hidden silver at the well at Nyala Farms during the Revolutionary War and what school was like at Adams Academy. Do the schools still do this?
Love seeing this. Never knew. Hope to see it continue in future generations of Jennings 🇺🇸
Thank you all for your kind words.
The existing brochures are out of print, but I’ll send a scanned version to anyone who sends a request to: PeterJ2729@gmail.com
Peter
Peter is an expert on local history.
I got to know him well at the former historical society
Where he kept the building running . He’s so smart , kind
And passionate about all things Westport.
Not only not a hero and a treasure as stated above
But a gift to the town preserving our history the future.