The charming town of Westport, CT can attribute its very existence, in large part, to the Sherwood Mill Pond. As the first working mill and first commercial enterprise in what is now part of Westport, the pond’s grist mill (c. 1705) gave the area the commerce required to be chartered.

Westport author, artist and teacher Judith Oreseck Katz wrote her bookthe beautiful POND, as a celebration of our pond and dedicated it to the preservation of our waters and our history. This exhibit will feature Judith’s original artwork and never before shown pieces of the rich history of the area.

 the beautiful POND features stunning water colors of the pond and its environs. The copy walks readers through the transformation of the pond from a working mill to a beloved and bucolic sanctuary for coastal life. The very personal history of the pond and the area known as Compo Cove, is revealed through documents, photographs and memoirs that belonged to our late beloved town historian, Allen Raymond, and from a descendant of one of the original builders of the cove, John Colburn. It reveals how people adapted to changing times much as the town itself has. 

The author and her sponsor Robin Tauck have partnered withSoundWaters to fund academic enrichment for low-income students by donating all of the proceeds of the book to them. The Westport Historical Society is honored to celebrate one of Westport’s treasured landmarks and to support SoundWaters’ program.

 Judith Orseck Katz is an author, painter and ceramic sculptor, as well as advertising and graphic designer. Her paintings have been exhibited in galleries throughout New York and Connecticut.