Bea’s Folly, a waterfront home with politicians and celebrities selling for $4.9 million

Bea's Folly is a waterfront home in Westport, Connecticut, that has been in the same family for nearly 60 years and has a history of hosting politicians and celebrities for sale quickly this spring.

The Mid-Century Modern home located on Saugatuck Shores in Saugatuck Island has two primary bedroom suites, a deep-water dock, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large waterfront patio that s ideal for entertaining. It was listed for $4.9 million in March and sold less than three months later after a $1 million price cut.

The buyers, Liz Milwe and her late husband Peter Wormser, who died in 2021, were huge entertainers, Coldwell Banker Realty agent Robin Singer said. They had parties all the time. The 1946 home was just an unheated beach shack when Milwe's parents, Sid and Bea Milwe, bought it in the 1960s, according to a history of the home written by Liz Milwe. In the 1940s, Bea and Sid were both union activists and they continued to support liberal political and non-political civic causes in Westport. The large open spaces hosted everything from family dinners to numerous fundraising events and activists gatherings in support of causes and politicians, such as Senators and Presidential candidates George McGovern, Eugene McCarthy, John Kerry and Ted Kennedy, as well as former Congressman Toby Moffett, late Congresswoman Bella Abzug, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Congressman Jim Himes, who were among those charged with terrorism, have been charged with civil rights violations.

Other celebrity guests include actor Lucille Lortel, actress and theater producer Robert Redford and TV host and broadcaster Sonny Fox, Milwe said.

The shape of the lot is particularly good, he said. The water has a very wide front, which makes it possible to have incredibly wide water views. You have almost everything there - sunrises, the moon, sunsets, she said. It is also one of the largest properties on Harbor Road, at a quarter-acre.

Saugatuck Shores is a water-oriented community, with boating, water skiing, kayaking and swimming, Mr. Singer said.

From the front door of the home, you step into a foyer, then into the open-plan living room, with the kitchen behind it, she said. It is all open to the water, he said. The kitchen is modern and has undergone a complete renovation in the past 10 years, she said.

There are primary bedroom suites on both the ground and second floors, according to the listing. The upper floor, which is over the garage, also has an office area and a wall of windows overlooking the water.

The home has slanted and cement floors on the ground level, with hardwood floors on the upper level. High ceilings are standard in every room.

It is very private, Mr. Singer said in a statement. You have no foot traffic, so you don't have any foot traffic. It s All coming back to her now - Celine Dion Rakes in Triple What She Paid for Las Vegas Mansion.

The house is a 1,291-square-foot building, with five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and one partial bathroom. It sits on a 0.25 acre lot.

The property offers direct waterfront with a deep water dock, a large waterfront patio, a fireplace, and a two-car garage with plenty of storage space and a full bathroom with a shower.

Nearby attractions include the Cedar Point Yacht Club and private beaches on the island.

The location of the Westport, Conn. train station and downtown shopping is one mile away, according to the listing.

The train to New York is very close, but you don t hear it, Singer told The Associated Press.

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