Foggy Westport Library café …
… and downtown …
,,, and National Hall (Photos/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Foggy Westport Library café …
… and downtown …
,,, and National Hall (Photos/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Posted in Downtown, Library, Pic of the Day, Weather
Tagged National Hall, Westport Library cafe
First it was National Hall. The handsome brick building on the west side of the Saugatuck River housed — among other things — a bank, newspaper, meeting hall, and (in 1884) the first few months of Horace Staples’ new school.
In the 1900s it became Fairfield Furniture. Painted white, its 3 floors were filled with — you guessed it — sofas, tables and the like.
The roof was filled with something else: a century of bird droppings.
When the Tauck family considered buying it in the late 1980s, that almost became a structural-defect deal-breaker.
But the Taucks persevered. Their painstaking renovation returned it to its original splendor, this time as a boutique hotel and high-end restaurant.
In the years since, the rechristened National Hall has been the site of other restaurants, offices and a real estate firm.
Last week it — well, the top floor window and adjacent molding — was the subject of our Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)
Fred Cantor, Rick Leonard, Diane Silfen, Andrew Colabella, Molly Alger, Jonathan McClure, Jim Dickenson, Seth Braunstein, Kenny Gilbertie, Jodie Aujla and Clark Thiemann quickly knew the answer.
Most of them are longtime Westporters. All have, I am sure, sat in traffic often, gazing up at that sight: one of our town’s most historic structures.
Speaking of history: Who remembers Ross Perot’s run for president in 1996? (I didn’t; I thought his only attempt was in ’92.)
It lives on in Westport. But where?
(Photo/James R. Morgan)
If you know where you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
Posted in Downtown, Looking back, Photo Challenge
Tagged Fairfield Furniture, National Hall, Ross Perot
Today’s Friday Flashback is a 3-fer.
This circa-1976 image reminds us of when:
(Friday Flashback is a weekly “06880” feature. Please click here to help us continue flashing back. Thank you!)
Posted in Downtown, Friday Flashback, Weather
Posted in Downtown, Pic of the Day, Weather
Tagged National Hall, Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge, Saugatuck River
Downtown Westport is compact: Main Street and the Post Road, plus the Saugatuck River.
But there’s a lot to see. And there’s no one who captures it better than Lynn Untermeyer Miller.
The Westport native and 1971 Staples High School graduate sees it all: the natural beauty. The shops and shoppers. And the hidden sights the rest of us walk right past.
Here’s what Lynn sees:
Downtown Westport in the fog — captured by Lynn Untermeyer Miller.
Posted in Downtown, Pic of the Day, Weather
Tagged Giegerich Building, National Hall, Westport Library Riverwalk
The Westport Fire Department says:
At approximately 3:50 p.m. today. the Department received calls reporting a building fire at 2 Post Rd West (National Hall).
Arriving units reported heavy smoke from the roof of the 3-story building. Firefighters searched all floors to ensure everyone had evacuated safely.
Crews searched the top floor and attic space for fire. Westport Truck 1 went to the roof and searched for fire in the heavy smoke. Fire was discovered under the roof sheathing, and was extinguished after access was made by crews on the roof and top floor.
Norwalk Truck 2 assisted with roof operations, while Wilton Engine 1 provided manpower on scene. Roadways were shut down in the vicinity of the fire on Wilton and Post Roads for the duration of the operation.
Crews from Fairfield and Weston Fire Departments provided station coverage. One firefighter was treated on scene for minor injuries.
Cause of the fire is under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office.
Comments Off on Pics Of The Day #1568
Posted in Beach, Downtown, Pic of the Day
Tagged Compo Beach sunset, National Hall, Owenoke, Saugatuck River, Sherwood Mill Pond
Posted in Downtown, Environment, Pic of the Day
Tagged National Hall, Wright Street building