The Westbrook Historical Society

Interesting Photo of the Month Click HERE to view

**** WINNERS - 2nd Annual Westbrook History Contest **** 1st Place - Beth Paulsen-Olmstead "A Farm History" 2nd Place - Rose DiRenzo Prillaman "Going Back in Time"

This year's History Contest entries were sent in from ME, AZ and VA. [There were no sudent entries.] The subject matter included memories of growing up in Westbrook, a trip to the local library, biographical sketches of Westbrook immigrants (Italian, Franco-Canadian and Danish) and a farm history. Shirley Direnzo Cleveland accepting 2nd prize for sister Rose DiRenzo Prillaman and Beth Paulsen-Olmstead, 1st place winner for 2nd year in a row! Judges for the contest were Roberta Morrill, Marion Broaddus and William O'Gara. Thanks to all.
[See the People, Places and Events page to view some examples of articles that were submitted for the 2012, 2013 contest.]
"Westbrook Remembered"
The Westbrook Historical Society's entry at the 2012 Westbrook Festival of Trees reflected our City's history... from the City Seal at the top, to the photographs of city buildings and landmarks. Many of the buildings are no longer standing but are well remembered by our residents. See the Society's past entries at the bottom of this page.

First Annual History Essay Contest - June 2012 - Winners:
1st Place, Student: Mrs. Card's 3rd Grade Class Congin School for their slide show of "The City of
Westbrook"
2nd Place, Student: Morgan Rielly for his interview with "Arthur and Bill Currier"
1st Place, Adult: Beth Paulsen-Olmstead & Charles Marsters for "511 Main Street", a history of the owners and businesses at that address
2nd Place, Adult: Craig Siulinski for "The Art of Good Business" about the Men's Shop in Westbrook

Entries came from CA, FL, MI, ME and included subjects such as local businesses, families, childhood memories and history. Thanks to all who entered and helped make this a wonderful gift to our City!

1st Prize - Adult	1st Prize - Student	2nd Prize -Student

WESTBROOK HISTORICAL SOCIETY REOPENS AT 426 BRIDGE STREET
March 7, 2012

OPEN HOUSE
(Staff Photo by Sean Murphy)

Mrs. Eleanor Conant Saunders, 91, a founding member of the Westbrook Historical Society, performs the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Grand Opening of the Society's new quarters at the Westbrook Community Center. Mayor Colleen Hilton assists.The Society recently completed a move from the second floor of the American Legion building on the edge of Riverbank Park to the Fred C. Wescott building..

open house3

The festivities were attended by a many

open hoiuse4

Society members and supporters.

	SUPPORTING	LOCAL AUTHORS
		On Saturday June 3, 2010 the Westbrook Historical Society was proud to host a "Meet the Author and Book Signing" with our own member, Andrea Pacillo Vasquez as the honored guest. *Remembering Westbrook: The People of the Paper City* by Andrea M.P. Vasquez Containing a collection of Andrea's "History Matters" columns previously published in American Journal, along with never before published chapters, this book relates stories about historic Westbrook citizens. Books are now available at area book stores and at the Historical Society (see Gift Shop page).
	PROGRAMS

	Cats, cows, coins, Westbrook artists, French Christmas decorations, bells, shoes (ceramic only!), bells, thimbles, Avon bottles, bears and Civil War newspapers were some of the items displayed and discussed by the Society members when they took part in the program on Collecting, on October 7, 2009. It is wonderful to have outside speakers but it is also fun and informative...(the things we learn about our fellow members!)...to have programs which are totally presented by the membership! [The Cow Collection, presented by Ruth Knight, walked off with the 'grand' prize!]
	JULY 25, 2009 Declared "Rudy Vallée Day" in Westbrook


	Eleanor Vallée arrives in 2009 ------------------------------------- Rudy Vallée arrived in 1930

	Eleanor Vallée and husband Byron Clark

	Mayor Chuluda welcomes Eleanor and Byron. He read the City Proclamation which named this date "Rudy Vallée Day" and rededicated the area as "Rudy Vallée Square".	Eleanor addresses the audience, relates stories of Rudy's youth in Westbrook and unveils her gift to the City.

	The Mayor unveils the new signs. A new look for Rudy Vallée Square!	A bust of Rudy is presented to the City by Eleanor (with the Mayor and Rudy's nephew William Vallée).
	Two special guests attended the dedication: Norman Ostrowski, 91, Rudy's "Number One Fan" and long time friend, flew in from Dearborn Heights, Michigan Karen Welles, President of The Rudy Vallée Fan Club came from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
	The Historical Society hosted a special Rudy Vallée Exhibit which was attended by close to 200 visitors.
		The main exhibit included a Rudy Vallée Christmas tree (as seen further down on the Activities page), 1920s vintage clothing, a Victoria with Rudy's records on display, the infamous megaphone and raccoon coat, a University of Maine pennant and photos of Rudy in his Navy uniform (age 15!) and in his Coast Guard uniform of WW II.
	The Vallée family was remembered in photos of the family and the family Pharmacy which stood in Vallée Square from 1910 - 1970. Yearbook clippings of Rudy (WHS 1920), sister Kathleen (WHS 1917) and brother William (WHS 1929) highlighted their scholastic careers. Both homes that the family lived in were shown...then and now. Kathleen is well remembered by many Westbrook residents who took piano lessons from her at the home on Monroe Ave. William, the youngest child, was know for his cartoons and for helping manage his brother's career. (William's son attended the festivities.)

	The Radio Years	Stage & Screen Years

	Historical Society President Donna Conley with Eleanor, Byron and William Vallée. All three graciously signed autographs, had their photos taken and visited with Historical Society guests following the band concert in Riverbank Park.	Jerry Brooks, leaders of The Westbrook City Band, presents Eleanor with a framed program of their Concert in the Park dedicated to Rudy Vallée
	- MOVIES AT RIVERBANK -
		On Friday August 22, 2008 the Society held its 1st "Movies in the Park" night. The Palm Beach Story, a 1942 romantic comedy starring Claudette Colbert, Joel McCrea, Mary Astor ...and Westbrook's own RUDY VALLÉE...was presented in Riverbank Park. The event was free...and enjoyed by all who attended. Movies presented 2009: Wall-E, The Palm Beach Story, Cool Hand Luke Presented by the Westbrook Historical Society in conjunction with the City of Westbrook and through the efforts of Society member John Morgan
	DEDICATION OF THE PHILIP LAVIOLET MILITARY COLLECTION

	Mayor Bruce Chuluda, Philip LaViolet, Commander Bruce Staples
	THE PHILIP LAVIOLET MILITARY COLLECTION was dedicated at the May meeting of the Society. Over forty people were in attendance to witness this event honoring life-long Westbrook resident, Philip LaViolet. Among those in attendance were Mayor Bruce Chuluda (who wore two hats as he is also Commander of American Legion Post #62), Commander Dana Staples and David Martin representing American Legion Post # 197, Mrs. Philip (Constance Meloche) LaViolet and their 2 daughters, and longtime friends Mr. & Mrs. Philip Mailhot (from the St. Hyacinth Historical Society which Phil LaViolet founded in 1988). Phil has put his heart and soul into preserving and updating this piece of Westbrook history for future generations. A reception honoring Phil followed the program. The Society and the City thanks you, Philip LaViolet! [For more information about Phil, see the Collections page]
	SCHOOL VISITS

	One of the favorite activities of the Westbrook Historical Society volunteers is to play host to our 3rd graders from Congin School. The students come to the museum before they start their course on Westbrook history. Volunteers show them the kitchen equipment that Grandmother used when she had to cook “from scratch” and bake on the wood stove. They learn about the Westbrook dairies that used to deliver milk in glass bottles to the door. They see how clothes were washed in the large wooden wash basin. Grandfather also worked hard, they learn, making nails by hand and cutting boards with small hand saws, all of which were on display and demonstrated by Society volunteers. School practices (such as sharing of books and the use of slate boards) and strict schoolroom etiquette and discipline are demonstrated. The children get to play with old time toys like Jacob’s Ladder, wooden clamp-on skates and pick-up-sticks. Each child leaves with a bag containing a home-made molasses cookie, a pencil and a pamphlet telling the history of Westbrook. Everyone has a grand time!

Rudy Vallée Commemorative Stamp The Westbrook Historical Society collected signatures for a petition to have a commemorative stamp honoring Westbrook's 'native' son Rudy Vallée, the first American crooner. Eleanor Vallée, Rudy's widow, started the process and asked for the Society's assistance. Hopefully somneday we'll see a stamp with his picture on it. Thanks for your support!

FESTIVAL OF TREES - A CITY CELEBRATION
The Westbrook Historical Society continues to support this city-wide event by displaying a creative and "historic" tree each year.

Westbrook Historical Society prior themes:
(Click on the line above to see the trees)
2010: Hats Off to Christmas
2009: You've Come A Long Way, Baby
2008: Heigh-Ho Holidays (a Rudy Vallée tree)
2007: Baubles & Beads (old jewelry)
2006: Gonna Buy a Paper Doll That I Can Call My Own (paper dolls & scissors)
2005: Ringing in the Season (Bells)
2004: Home is Where the Heart is (House pictures & hearts)
2003: Silver Threads Among the Gold (Old pictures of Westbrook)

It is always fascinating to see the great ideas that people use to work up a theme! The creativity is amazing, and it seems that no year is without a totally unique exhibit! A typical example is when our Boy Scouts decorated their tree (with knots they had tied) for a "Knotty Christmas."Speak about "creativity!"

The proceeds from the Festival of Trees support local charities. The event is held at the Westbrook Warren Congregational Church on Main Street, downtown Westbrook

History of the Event
The Festival was established in 2001 by Patricia Elwell Wilson (Mrs. Robert Wilson) to honor the memory of her mother Beatrice M. Elwell.

Businesses and organizations pay to sponsor and decorate a Christmas tree. Each tree must have a theme and the decorations must reflect that theme. The trees are then put on display at the Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church where the public may view them during a week long festivities.

There are teas, a festival feast, breakfast with Santa, a sleigh ride and entertainment every evening. Most activities are free (except for the festival feast and a luncheon) and over $30,000 has been raised since the Festival’s start. All of this money is donated to charities that benefit Westbrook residents and to help finance Westbrook Together Days.

Click HERE to access an archive of decorated Trees from previous years.