Westport Honors Residents and Businesses for Preservation Efforts

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell today presided at a Town Hall ceremony honoring residents and businesses for making additions to their homes and business places that were in keeping with the historic design of the structures.
A Town Hall ceremony today honored Partrick Road resident Sean Timmins for his preservation efforts. Pictured are (l to r) architect Chris Woerner, Timmins, First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, Don Miro, chair of the Westport Historic District Commission, Mary Alice Timmins, and the Timmins daughters.(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Don Miro, chair of the Westport Historic District Commission, told the gathering that “last year was a record year for teardowns in Westport, which made efforts to restore and preserve the character of the town that much more important.”

The commission presented Sean Timmins, his wife, Mary Alice, their two daughters, Madison and Victoria, and their friend and architect, Chris Woerner, with the Westport Historic Preservation Award for 2004.

The citation said it was “in recognition and grateful appreciation for the architecturally sympathetic additions to the original 1823 Lewis Partrick home at 87 Partrick Road.”

Also receiving an award was Cynthia Noreke which her daughter, Sara, accepted on her behalf. Their award was "in recognition and grateful appreciation for the appropriate design of the addition to the classic cape at 95 Partrick Road."
The original Lewis Partrick home at 87 Partrick Road was built in 1823. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Also honored were the Westport Historical Society for its renovation of the Wheeler House and octagonal barn, 25 Avery Place; Joy Palermo, 2 Over Rock Lane, classic federal style house; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schreiner, 249 Greens Farms Road, the Charles Bedford House; Mr. and Mrs. James Agah, 244 Compo Road South, the William Gray II / F. Scott Fitzgerald House, and the Westport Chamber of Commerce, 60 Church Lane, the William Sturgess House.

Timmins, co-director of The Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund which is fighting development of the former F. D. Rich property in northwest Westport, said historic building and neighborhood preservation starts with individual homes.

But he added that such efforts require "the commitment of the community and our leaders to truly preserve the character of our town."

Timmins added, "Unnecessary overdevelopment has become a blight on many historic communities throughout New England. Even as we speak, my neighborhood is being threatened by profit-seeking developers.”

More than a dozen members of the Partrick Wetlands group were in attendance, including State Sen. Judy Freedman.

Lewis Partrick was a gentleman farmer and one of the signers of the 1835 charter of the Town of Westport.

He was married to Mary Nash, daughter of the first postmaster of Westport. He built the house in 1823 and married Mary following the death of his father.

His brother George built his home which is now 100 Partrick Road that same year.

Posted September 11, 2004 09:43 PM | TrackBack