I recently spent a wonderful Friday evening, watching the sunset from the iconic little grey house on Hummock Island in Westport, Connecticut. Where’s that you might ask? It’s the little grey house, with the white porch in the middle of Sherwood Mill Pond. It’s also command central for the Hummock Island Oyster Farm, right here in the Town of Westport. The Northrup Family owns the 82 acres of the Mill Pond - including uniquely the land under the water, and has since 1857! In fact, they’re the largest land holder in town. It all began 1741 when the pond was awarded as a grant from the British King and a hundred or so years later a house was erected on the tiny island which would serve as a residence for the “oyster guard” who kept watch over the surrounding waters and scared off would-be looters. Oyster and clam broth was thought to be a cure for influenza back in the 1700s. Hmmm….
Anyway, the tour began with a short boat ride out to the island house. I learnes all about farming these bivalves from the Northrups and how they’re taking this ancient craft of harvesting oysters into the 21st century. They’ll even teach you how to shuck an oyster — which is as hard as it looks! If you enjoy slurping fresh briny oysters right out of the water, while the sun sets in front of you, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
* 2 thoughts: Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet & don’t forget to pack your own libations.
Cheers! ~ Mary Ellen Gallagher