Naiad Einsel is honoring Westport’s heritage by displaying a Westport Historical Society plaque identifying her home at 26 Morningside Drive South in the Greens Farms area as the Charles B. Sherwood house built in 1853. Charles B. Sherwood was given seven acres of land by his father Walter in 1853 and in the same year built this house. The house was sold in 1864 to John B. Elwood who owned it until 1920. The house was purchased by the Einsels in 1965 after vacationing in Westport for four years. Naiad and her late husband, Walter, are both noted illustrators and graphic designers. Walter was also a kinetic sculptor. Naiad Einsel said that “sadly in the past, Westport has changed its character due to the tear down of historic homes” but feels that “with the current renewed efforts of the last few years hopefully this trend has ended.” In 2005, the Einsels received a Preservation Award for their home, and in 2007 their home and property was designated a Local Historic District. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Weingarten for WestportNow.com

An application is in process to acquire a permit to demolish the house at 10 Elizabeth Drive off Westport’s Old Road. Built in 1954, the one-story split level has 1,801 square feet and is situated on a .54-acre property.  Because it was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Historic District Commission at its meeting on Tuesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Melissa Yurechko and her husband Tim are honoring Westport’s heritage by displaying a Westport Historical Society plaque identifying their home at 167A Compo Road South as the Henry Raleigh Studio which was built in 1913.  Raleigh (1880-1944) used this house as his studio while living with his wife at 181 Compo Road South. Raleigh was a noted magazine illustrator with four decades of contributions for various publications including Harper’s Bazaar, The Saturday Evening Post and Collier’s. In 1959, the studio was purchased by writers John and Dorothy Tarrant who collaborated on “A Community of Artists,” which chronicles Westport’s flourishing artist colony. The Yurechkos moved to Westport several years ago after living in other antique houses in Connecticut. They decided to purchase their current home because of the “location, privacy and charm of the house.”  They welcome recent increased efforts to enhance the antique character of Westport and say, “Keep up the good work.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Weingarten for WestportNow.com

The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation will award its 2009 Connecticut Preservation Award to Westporters Mike and Kim Ronemus, owners of the historic Meeker Elwood House at 113 Cross Highway. The property is the former Cross Highway Garage. The award will be made at a ceremony on April 27 in Wethersfield. The honor is awarded annually to recognize outstanding preservation efforts within the state. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Billy Nistico honored Westport’s heritage by displaying a Westport Historical Society plaque identifying this home at 144 Imperial Ave. as the Rasmus C. Karstensen house which was built in c.1893.  Karstensen built this house after purchasing the land from A. L. Vanderbuilt in 1890. The property was then sold to Neils P Christensen in 1899. Nistico, having been born and raised in Westport, purchased the house in 2007 since he “loved the charm and history as well as the location.” He said that “being a lifelong Westport resident and realtor for William Raveis Real Estate, it’s very important for me to preserve Westport historic homes.” Although the house was named the “happy house” by his friends, Nistico recently sold it and said he knows that the new owners appreciate the history associated with it. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Weingarten for WestportNow.com