BayCoast gives to Wesport Historical Society

By Rebecca Keister
PBN Staff Writer

WESTPORT – BayCoast Bank has pledged $100,000 to the Westport Historical Society to support to help stabilize and make publicly accessible the Handy House also known as the Cadman-White-Handy House and one of the town’s most significant colonial-era homes.

“We are thrilled and honored that BayCoast Bank is showing such strong confidence in us and providing support for our future endeavors,” said Jenny O’Neill, executive director of the Westport Historical Society, in a statement. “We are dedicated to our mission of preserving Westport’s unique heritage, celebrating local history and engaging our community in this effort.”

The Hand House, which sits on 32 acres of land on Hix Bridge Road, was built beginning in 1710 and had additions constructed between 1730 and 1750. A third section was added in 1825. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The donation also will be used to help the society’s work on the Bell School House where the society is housed.

BayCoast Bank was chartered in 1851. It serves southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island and is headquartered in Fall River.