The Westport Historical Society (WHS) will launch a new exhibit “The Beautiful Pond” based on the book of the same title by local artist and author Judith Orseck Katz on Sunday, May 15, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Robin Tauck and Judith Orseck Katz at the book launch party in November. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phylllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Like the book, the exhibit features watercolors of the Sherwood Mill Pond and its environs.
According to Barbara Peck, WHS assistant director, the circa 1705 mill pond played a pivotal role in the development of the town.
“As the first working mill and first commercial enterprise in what is now part of Westport, the pond’s grist mill gave the area the commerce required to be chartered,” says Peck.
She added that Katz wrote her book as “a celebration of our pond and dedicated it to the preservation of our waters and our history.”
The exhibit will feature Katz’s original artwork and “never before shown pieces of the rich history of the area,” Peck says.
She adds that the history of the pond and the area known as Compo Cove will be showcased via documents, photographs and memoirs that belonged to the late town historian Allen Raymond and to John Colburn, a descendant of one of the original builders of the cove.
Peck said Katz and her sponsor, Westporter Robin Tauck who lives at Compo Cove, have partnered with SoundWaters, the Stamford-based nonprofit educational organization aimed at preserving the Long Island Sound, to fund academic enrichment courses for low-income students by donating all of the book’s proceeds.
The exhibit to be held in the WHS Betty and Ralph Sheffer Gallery runs through Sept. 1. For further information, call (203) 222-1424, or visit westporthistory.org.
