Every Post Road driver smiles at the sculptures in front of Winslow Park Animal Hospital.
The Playhouse Square light ensures we have plenty of time to enjoy the ever-changing holiday decorations there.
St. Patrick’s Day 2021 at Winslow Park Animal Hospital. (Photo/Molly Alger)
But long before veterinarians named their practice after a neighboring dog park, a restaurant was named for a nearby theater.
The other day in the animal hospital, Bob Weingarten spotted a photo of the building on the mantle.
The local house historian and experienced researcher was intrigued.
Bob asked the Westport Country Playhouse about the photo. Company manager Bruce Miller supplied a few more photos.
Playhouse Kitchen interior.
But the Playhouse archives had no further information about the Kitchen — except to say they had not operated it.
Digging further, Bob learned that the building was moved from Long Island to Westport around 1835, with 2 adjacent structures.
(That was around the time the town of Westport was officially established, breaking off from Norwalk, Weston and Fairfield. The meeting was held at the Saugatuck Congregational Church — directly across the street, where 2 gas stations are now. The church moved diagonally across the Post Road in 1950.)
All 3 buildings were called the “Tannery Cottages.” They were used to house employees for the Morocco Manufacturing tannery, first owned by R. & H. Haight and then Charles H. Kemper until the beginning of 1900s.
In 1931, the tannery behind the cottages was transformed into the Westport Country Playhouse.
The WCP sold the building in 2012. Winslow Park Animal Hospital was established the next year.
Winslow Park Animal Hospital, today.
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