70 years later: Photo exhibit remembers when Hurricane Carol swept through Westport

WESTPORT — Hurricane Carol washed ashore almost 70 years ago, but if you were around to see it, you're not likely to have forgotten it.

The storm arrived on Aug. 31, 1954 and it swept a wall of water across Horseneck and up the Westport River.

As caretakers of town history, the Westport Historical Society certainly hasn't forgotten Hurricane Carol either.

They've put together a photo exhibition: "Hurricane! An exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of Hurricane Carol."

The exhibition will be running through March at the Westport Free Public Library, and the photos are enriched by the stories and words of Westporters who witnessed the storm.

Here's everything you need to know before going to check out the exhibit:

When does 'Hurricane!' open and when does the exhibit end?

"Hurricane! An exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of Hurricane Carol" opens on Saturday, Feb. 3 and will remain on display until March 30.

Where is the exhibit?

The exhibit, put together by the Westport Historical Society, will be hosted at the Westport Free Public Library, 408 Old County Rd.

What images are featured in the exhibit?

According to a press release from the Westport Historical Society, the exhibition features images from its collection, supplemented by photos held in private collections.

Westporters remember Hurricane Carol

The images in this exhibit are enriched by the stories of Westport residents who witnessed Hurricane Carol. Their experiences have been preserved in a video recording of an event marking the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Carol in 2004, including recollections by Norma Judson, Crab Manchester, Paul DeNadal, Bill Tripp, Michael McCarthy, and Walter Vincent.

Many of the participants were teenagers when the hurricane hit in 1954, the release said.

"Their compelling and entertaining stories chronicle the bravery of two teenagers who rescued the bartender from Laura’s Restaurant, and their disbelief as buildings floated 'like Noah’s Ark' up river to become beached on islands and rocks," the release said.

Locals recalled watching helpless as the storm washed away boats and buildings alike.

"Entire sections of the Gooseberry causeway collapsed and Westport’s oldest house, the Waite Kirby Potter house, having stood for nearly 300 years, could not withstand the force of Carol," the historical society wrote in the press release.

Westport Historical Society Executive Director Jenny O’Neill said, "Even 70 years on, we can still glean important information from the details contained within these recollections. They outline the impact of a hurricane coinciding with high tide as well as specific vulnerabilities at East Beach, Gooseberry, and Westport Point."

What changed after Hurricane Carol?

"Hurricane Carol had far-reaching repercussions for Westport," the historical society wrote. "It marked the end for the communities of cottages that once lined East Beach and parts of West Beach and Gooseberry. It ushered in a new era of management of these areas with the state takeover of Horseneck Beach."

They said that witnesses also recalled the resilience of the Westport community.

"Businesses recovered and new communities such as Smalls Village formed to host displaced cottages," the press release said. "The bittersweet loss of property to the state by eminent domain and the subsequent creation of Horseneck State Reservation has preserved the natural beauty of the beachfront, enjoyed by all today."

Learn more about Hurricane Carol online

You can check out more firsthand accounts, images and videos on the Westport Historical Society's website: www.wpthistory.org.

More information about 'Hurricane!'

For more information about the exhibit, visit www.wpthistory.org.

Contact the Westport Free Public Library at 508-636-1100 for updated opening hours.

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Photo exhibit recalls Hurricane Carol in Westport 70 years ago