New Town Common

Aerial view of The Town Common, sited between Main Street and Myrtle Avenue; Source- Bing
Historic/Common Name:
Veteran's Common, Town Common
Address:
_ Trapezoid of open space between Main Street and Myrtle Avenue
Town:
Westport »
Year:
1795 - present
Historic Designation:
LHP, SR
Property Authority:
Historic District Commission
Features:
Archaeological Site, Buildings, Open space, Monument
Historic Use:
Garden, Field
Present Use:
Open space park
Architectural Style:
_
Era:
18th Century, 19th Century, 20th Century
Map:
{# if eligible_for_tax_credits}
Eligible for Historic Home tax credits:
Yes
{/if #}
General description:

The archaeological site is located between Main Street and Myrtle Avenue, towards the north of Avery Place. It comprises of two parcels, Parcel A, 0.5 acres owned by Westport Historical Society and Parcel B, 0.963 acres owned by the Town of Westport.

Significance of the property:

The Town Common is significant for the open space it provides for the general welfare of the populace. It contains artifactual evidence relating to 18th and 19th century land use in the settlement of an early New England village. Brick remains from late 19th-20th century gardens are buried immediately below the surface and should be protected. Buried surfaces may be found below deep fill along Main Street. While the original Town Common is in the Green Farms area, the renovation of the school on Myrtle Avenue and its present use as the center of Town Government ties in well with this green area continuing the tradition of a 'Town Common'. [2]

Relationship with the Surroundings:

The property is located in a pre-dominantly commercial area. Saugatuck River flows towards the west of the property, at a distance of approximate 600 feet.

Ownership:
Public
Owner:
Parcel A- Westport Historical Society; Parcel B- Town of Westport
Sources:

Assessors information retrieved from the website www.visionappraisal.com.
[1] Historic Property information retrieved from the town of website http://www.westportct.gov/.
[2] McWeeney Lucinda, The Town Common, Historic Resources Inventory, Historic Archeological Sites, 1989, SHPO library, Hartford.
[3] Historic District handbook accessed in the town website [http://www.westportct.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=280].
GIS information retrieved from http://www.westportct.gov/index.aspx?page=538.

Map of the historic property retrieved the online GIS map, accessed from the town website.

View photo
Date of Compilation:
12/31/11
Compiler:
Manjusha Patnaik, CT Trust for Historic Preservation