Located in the Wheeler House since 1981, the Westport Historical Society rented 99 Myrtle Avenue for its first headquarters back in 1968.  In 1972 the McLaury House was purchased by the town for the purpose of expanding the municipal parking lot behind it.  Since that time, the town has continually rented the house. With a few exceptions, the home remains in nearly original condition.

The house was designated as a Local Historic Landmark in 2005 and also has the distinction of being included on the State Register of Historic Places.

In early 2006, the First Selectman, Gordon Joseloff, appointed the Emily McLaury House Committee. The volunteer Committee members conducted a yearlong study to develop a plan of stabilization and restoration for the historic property. The plan was approved and funded by the town in January 2007 and work commenced a few weeks later. The Committee continues to manage and supervise the restoration project.

It is believed that Charles E. Cutler, one of Westport’s most prominent architects, designed this modest home in the early 1920s for his wife’s cousin, Emily McLaury. The house reflects the Colonial Revival style and is notable in that it retains nearly all of its important original features.

Since homes of this size and vintage are rapidly disappearing from our streetscape, this historic preservation project is particularly important. The interior will be carefully adapted to accommodate current residential needs and the exterior will be sensitively restored so that everyone can enjoy it. When completed, the house will be made available for much needed work force housing.

Morley Boyd, chairman of the Historic District Commission, views the project as a pilot for how to restore town-owned historic properties. “It enables Westport to show leadership in the conservation of historic resources and to enhance the neighborhood as well,” he says. Boyd notes that the project has been made possible in part by generous contributions from many businesses, local and national. For example, L.H. Gault & Son provided the air conditioning, and Headhouse Square of Philadelphia donated the custom shutters.

The Emily McLaury House is located diagonally across the street from the Town Hall and serves as the buffer property between the commercial downtown area and the residential neighborhood on Myrtle Avenue. Its high visibility creates an opportunity for the town to demonstrate leadership in the effort to retain Westport’s architectural diversity and small community character.