Pequot Library Black Friday/Saturday Book Sale Nov.27-28th

Black Friday/Saturday Book Sale November 27-28, 2026

Beat the crowds the days after Thanksgiving and browse new items  and gently used materials that we’ve selected with gift-giving in mind. Check back closer to the date for times
and categories of books for sale www.pequotlibrary.org 

Another boat on the rails at YYY

(click on image to enlarge)
At Ye Yacht Yard on the rails.
Photographer and date unknown.
Photograph property and courtesy of Ye Yacht Yard Preservation Fund.
From Howard Burr'Collection/Joe Rainis

Howard Burr inside the shop at YYY



(click on image to enlarge)
Howard Burr inside the shop at Ye Yacht Yard.
Photographer and date uncertain, probably late 1970's.
From Howard Burr Collection/Joe Rainis

Late 1960's early 1970's Ye Yacht Yard West Docks

(click on image to enlarge)
Ye Yacht Yard West Docks
"Photo circa late 1960's, or early 1970's. Looks like a Blue J on a trailer far left."
From Arthur Jennings Collection

Flashback: Dredging The Harbor Fall 2004

 

 

(click on image to enlarge) 

Dredging Southport Harbor Fall 2004 

It took eight years to get approval and funding for the project which was completed in less than two months. Special thanks to Arthur Jennings for contributing these photos.

Bulkley's Market Southport CT circa 1870

Special thanks to Arthur Jennings for sharing this very old advertisement
from the Southport Chronicle circa 1870.

Very early photograph of a large sucker dredge in Southport Harbor 1900's

(click on image to enlarge)
Southport Harbor dredging, many decades ago.
(est. 1900's)
"Going back in time is this great photo which shows a large
sucker dredge with floating pipes filling a wooden barge just inside the inner beacon (spindle type)." -Arthur Jennings
Photograph property and courtesy of Arthur Jennings Collection

Jean Allen, Inc.

(click on image to enlarge)

An ad from an old store in Southport from years ago.

From Arthur Jennings Collection.

Very early photo of Southport Train Station Eastbound

(click on image to enlarge)

Southport, Connecticut Train Station (Eastbound)

"Here is a real oldie showing the eastbound station and, as a bonus, the white house on the westbound side of the tracks was owned by Augustus Jennings. It is probable that the folks in the buggy are related. This is a scan from an old tintype." -Arthur Jennings

From Arthur Jennings Collection.

November 1953 storm and flooding at YYY

(click on image to enlarge)
Ye Yacht Yard in November of 1953
Photographer unkown
Property and courtesy of Howard Burr Collection/Joe Rainis.

Southport Post Office Dedication November 1962

(click on image to enlarge)
Southport Connecticut Post Office Dedication
on Pequot Avenue on November 11, 1962

November 1950 Hurricane - Pequot Avenue

(click on image to enlarge)

1950 Hurricane Pequot Avenue, Sea Lodge
Southport, Connecticut
Description: Photographer: Ann Curtis Carstensen. Written on reverse: "Hurricane 1950, Pequot Road, Remains of Sea Lodge. Photo: Ann Curtis Carstensen." The Sea Lodge, just east of Southport Beach, was demolished in the storm. It was rebuilt.

Creator: V. Louise Higgins

Publisher: Pequot Library Association

Date: November 1950

Format: Photograph

www.pequotlibrary.org

Scandinavian Club Christmas Market Dec.5, 2026

Scandinavian Club Christmas Market 2026

Saturday, December 5, 10 am–4 pm

• 30+ artisan vendors (all indoor vendor spots have been filled, a few outdoor spots left)
• Nordic gifts and food
• Handmade crafts
• Baked goods
• Entertainment
• Free parking
• Much more

Hot lunch, sandwiches, Scandinavian candy and glögg

• Finnish salmon chowder
• Swedish split pea soup
• Hot dogs with crispy onions, pickles, mustard and/or ketchup
• Risalamande (Danish rice pudding) with cherry sauce or lagkage with berries
• Glögg

MORE INFO: https://thescandinavianclub.com/upcoming-events/

Howard Burr inside the shop at YYY

(click on image to enlarge)
Howard Burr inside the shop at YYY.
Look closer and you will see Howard inside the shop.
Photographer and date unknown.
Photograph property and courtesy of Howard Burr Collection/Joe Rainis.

The winch at Ye Yacht Yard

(click on image to enlarge)
Early photo of the winch at YYY.
Photographer and date unknown.
Photo property and courtesy of Howard Burr Collection.
With special thanks to Joe Rainis.

Howard and Barbara Burr at YYY

(click on image to enlarge)
Howard and Barbara Burr at Ye Yacht Yard.
Photo by Al Mathewson.
Date uncertain.
Property and courtesy of: Howard Burr Collection/Joe Rainis.

Pequot Library Halloween Pet Parade 2017

(click on images to enlarge)
Pequot Library Annual Halloween Pet Parade 2017

FLASHBACK: 2010 Pequot Library Halloween Pet Parade

https://youtu.be/KqU7daBMc6k

Signpost Main Street and Harbor Road in 1902

(click on image to enlarge)

Signpost

Southport, Connecticut

Written on reverse: "board now located next to bank." This signpost stood at the foot of Main St where the DAR fountain is now. It was installed in 1886 to replace the town pump. The signpost was replaced in 1903 by the DAR memorial fountain. (The signpost is now standing to the right of the bank building, #226 Main St.) The building to the right is the Neh. Jennings market with the post office in the front of the store.

Creator: V. Louise Higgins

Publisher: Pequot Library Association

Date: c 1902

Format: Photograph

www.pequotlibrary.org

Winter sailing in Southport Harbor over 62 years ago

(click on image to enlarge)

Winter sailing in Southport Harbor over 62 years ago

Arthur Jennings seen here winter sailing at the narrows in an early Dyer Dhow (with cotton sails).

Notice the old Pilot House on the left, and, Perry Green, and Pequot Yacht Club to the right.

-Arthur Jennings Collection

Enchanted Castle at Burr Mansion October 22-25th

The Enchanted Castle opens its doors to visitors TODAY
Thursday October 22, 2026!

Step into the Burr Mansion and experience rooms brought to life by storybook
characters who narrate the tales of Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin,
Beauty & the Beast, The Jungle Book, and The Wizard of Oz.
The Enchanted Castle is designed for children 2-10 years of age,
but is fun for the whole family! At the end of each magical tour, families are
encouraged to explore our Castle Cafe & Boo-tique for fun,
festive treats and refreshments!
This year’s event will take place from October 22 - October 25, 2026
at the Burr Mansion in Fairfield
And a reminder, kids 2 and under are free!
#JuniorLeague #FairfieldCT #SouthportCT #FairfieldCounty
TICKETS: www.enchantedcastle.org

Ye Yacht Yard in November 1953

(click on image to enlarge)
YYY in November 1953.
Photo property and courtesy of Howard Burr Collection/Joe Rainis.

Hurricane Southport Harbor 1950

 

(click on image to enlarge) 

1950 Hurricane Southport Harbor 

Southport, Connecticut 

Photographer: Ann Curtis Carstensen. Written on reverse: "Hurricane Nov 1950, Southport Harbor. 

Photo: Ann Curtis Carstensen." This was the view directly in front of the PYC. 

Creator: V Louise Higgins Publisher: Pequot Library Association 

Date: November 1950 

Format: Photograph 

www.pequotlibrary.org

Al Mathewson pen and ink sketch of YYY October 1957

(click on image to enlarge; twice to supersize)

Ye Yacht Yard in October of 1957
Southport, Connecticut
Pen and ink sketch
Artist: Al Mathewson

"MY FATHER "AL MATHEWSON" WAS THE CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE FORMER BRIDGEPORT POST / SUNDAY POST AND TELEGRAM, FROM AUG. 1933 TO NOV. 1989, WHEN HE TOOK A BUY-OUT (AT AGE 80 1/2) FROM THE NEW OWNERS OF THE NEWSPAPER.

HE WOULD VISIT WITH HOWARD BURR AND HIS CAT "BARNACLE", FOR DECADES.

THE YE YACHT YARD WAS ONE OF A SERIES OF SUNDAY POST "FEATURES" WHICH HE DID FOR SEVERAL DECADES. MOST OF THE OTHER'S WERE PHOTOGRAPHIC, BUT A FEW OF THEM WERE PEN AND INK SKETCHES.

HE DIED IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC AT THE AGE OF 90 ON NEW YEARS DAY IN 1999."

-PAUL R. MATHEWSON

Special thanks to Paul R. Mathewson and family for sharing his father's great drawing of YYY and the very interesting background story of his dad's impressive career and talents and relationship with Howard.

A copy of this drawing can be found hanging on the wall at the Horseshoe Cafe on Pequot Avenue in Southport.

Southport Harbor in October 1888

(click on image to enlarge)
Onion sheds, docks buildings on Harbor Road, taken from Meeker dock -Southport, Connecticut
Description:  Photographer: Roderick P Curtis. Written on back: "Harbor Rd showing onion sheds, BCMMR and buildings on dock. Oct. '88. Curtis." Photo was taken from the east side of Mill River, the breakwater area. Buildings in the background were, left to right: 3 Meeker onion warehouses, the BCMMR Club, (on the far right) the L F Sherwood store and the drugstore.
Creator: V. Louise Higgins
Publisher: Pequot Library Association
Date: October 1888
Format: photograph
REFERENCE URL: http://pequotlibrary.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p1038coll5&CISOPTR=143&CISOBOX=1&REC=1

Onion Fest V October 3rd at Pequot Library

Onion Fest V

Saturday, October 3, 2026

4:30pm–7:30pm

at Pequot Library

Registration is required for this event.

Registration will close on October 3, 2026 @ 4:30pm.

Program Description

Hosted in partnership with the Sasquanaug Conservancy for Southport. Join us for a celebration of the Southport Globe Onion and its rich legacy in Southport’s agricultural heritage. Enjoy live music from the Lackluster Brothers, bouncy house, free ice cream, crafts and games, a raffle, and all things onion. Don't miss a free walking tour of historic Southport village at 5:30 p.m. Food will be available from the Proof Pizza Truck and the Fairfield Shellfish Commission. A cash bar will offer mocktails, beer, wine, and a signature Gibson onion martini. Don’t miss the Onion Drop at dusk! 

Rain Date: October 17 at 4:00 p.m. 

MORE INFO

Mill Hill circa 1890

(click on image to enlarge)
An onion patch on Mill Hill in Southport circa 1890.

The C.O. Jelliff & Co. Southport, CT

(click on image to enlarge)

An old ad, probably pre-1880's, C.O. Jelliff & Co.

Manufacturers of Southport Onion Hoes, Drills, and Weeders
Pequot Avenue in Southport, CT.

The old onion house in the early 1950s

(click on image to enlarge)

The old onion house on Harbor Road at Westway Road in the early 1950's.

Photo credit: Arthur Jennings

From: Arthur Jennings collection

"Onion Fields, Sasco Hill" about 1890

Onion Fields, Sasco Hill and Southport, Connecticut

Photographer: Edward, Clinton, or Eugene Hall. Note found with glass plate negative: "The onion fields on the side of Sasco Hill taken from the present Sasco Hill Road. Showing Southport in the distance. Taken about 1890". On the glass plate is written: "Dec 11." In the harbor a two-masted schooner is visible.

www.pequotlibrary.org