Mission Statement
Kennebunkport Research
Collections of the Society
Contacting the Society
Membership Information

The Kennebunkport Historical Society began in 1952 when a group of residents were planning the town's tercentenary. They realized that an organization was needed to preserve Kennebunkport's history, thus the birth of The Kennebunkport Historical Society. The Society has grown from this small group of volunteers to an organization owning five structures and having a paid staff of a curator, an office manager, an administrative assistant, a  bookkeeper, and building caretakers.

• To serve as the primary historical resource for Kennebunkport; 
• To have the collection of documents and objects available for research and exhibit use on a timely basis; and
• To promote educational and cultural activities for the benefit of the community.

Research

Research for genealogical, historical or other information, may be conducted either in person or by email. The research fee for non- members is $10.00 per hour. Members are entitled to three hours of research at no charge. Copies are $.25 per page.

• Visit The Town House School at 135 North Street, Kennebunkport. The Town House School is open Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. For appointments, please call the Society at 1-207-967-8180 or 1-207-967-2751. Parking is free and is available on site. Handicapped ramp access is also available.
   
• Send your research request by U.S. mail or by email at KportHS@gwi.net. Please be sure to include any names, dates, birth, death, and/or marriage information that will help us to research your request more effectively. Please note that we can search for Kennebunkport specific information only! 

Collections
The collections of the Society pertain strictly to the history of Kennebunkport. There are over 5,000 photographs that document the history of the town, as well as genealogy information on many Kennebunkport families and histories of the early homes. The Society has a fine book collection including those by local authors Margaret Deland, Kenneth Roberts, Booth Tarkington, Joyce Butler, and those written about Kennebunkport. Store journals, ship logs, shipbuilders' records and diaries are among the many original documents within the Society's collection.

The Town House School at 135 North Street was obtained in 1955 from the town. It was built in 1900 and by 1931, it had four additions. It remained in use as a primary school until 1951, when the Consolidated School opened. It then became the Material Arts Department of School Administrative District 71, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, until 1955, when the Society became the building's owners. Today, it is where visitors can conduct historical and genealogical research.

The highlight of the Society's collections is the 1853 Greek Revival Nott House. Elizabeth Nott, a past president and very active member of the Society, gave the home, at 8 Maine Street, with all its contents to the Society in 1982. She had no heirs and, wishing to preserve its historic value and contribute to the town's heritage, she believed this arrangement to leave the entire home to the Historical Society was the best way to preserve it as her family had for 130 years. The house contains original wallpaper, carpets and furnishings that date from the late 1700's with a large collection of Victorian pieces.

In the Spring of 1999, the Society celebrated the opening of the Pasco Exhibit Center. The Center, located at 125 North Street (part of the History Center of Kennebunkport complex), is home to permanent and changing displays reflecting the history of Kennebunkport and also houses the administrative offices of the Society. The Benson Blacksmith Shop was added in 2005.  Demonstrations in the craft of blacksmithing have been a popular addition to our record of life in Kennebunkport in days past.

Contact Information
The Society can be reached at the following:

The Kennebunkport Historical Society
Post Office Box 1173
Kennebunkport, Maine 04046
Phone: 207-967-2751 
Fax: 207-967-1205
Email: KportHS@gwi.net

Membership Information
We encourage you to become a member of The Kennebunkport Historical Society and join us in preserving and exhibiting the history of Kennebunkport. Click here to see a listing of our business members.

Please click here for a membership application. After printing out the form, please press the Back key on your browser to continue viewing our site. Please mail application forms to the above address.