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.
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… and inspecting a site for a new marker. (Photos/Bob Weingarten)