Brick Store Museum facts for kids
Brick Store Museum
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| Established | 1936 |
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| Location | 117 Main Street, Kennebunk, Maine 04043 |
| Founder | Edith Cleaves Barry |
The Brick Store Museum is a cool place located at 117 Main Street in Kennebunk, Maine. It's special because it opened way back in 1936, during a tough time called the Great Depression. This museum works hard to save and share the history of the Kennebunks area. It does this by collecting old things, taking care of them, and showing them in fun exhibits.
As a history and art center in Southern Maine, the museum has tons of interesting items. You can see everything from old paintings to tools used for building ships. There are also clothes from the 1700s and modern art. The museum is right in the middle of the Kennebunk Historic District. It uses several old buildings on Main Street, covering a large area.
The buildings that make up the Brick Store Museum are the oldest shops in Kennebunk. Some were built as early as 1810. Before they became part of the museum, these buildings were used for many different things. They were once the town's first library, a telegraph office, and even a furniture store. They also housed a grocery store, offices, and apartments.
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History of the Museum Buildings
The Original Brick Store
In 1825, a rich merchant and ship owner named William Lord built a general store. He made it out of bricks, which was unusual for Kennebunk back then. Because of this, people called it "Lord's Brick Store." You can still see the large windlass inside the museum. This was a machine used to move goods between floors.
Years later, in 1936, William Lord's great-granddaughter, Edith Cleaves Barry, inherited the building. She decided to open the Brick Store Museum there. It was one of the few museums in America to open between the Great Depression and World War II.
Other Buildings Join the Museum
Right next to the Brick Store is a building built in 1810 by Enoch Hardy. He was a local tobacco seller. He had his shop upstairs, and the first floor was a grocery store. Kennebunk's post office and telegraph office were also once in this building. The Kennebunk Free Library Association used it as a library too.
The next building on the block was built in 1860 by Samuel Clark. It was first located at the corner of Water and Main Streets. Later, in 1870, it was moved to its current spot. This building was a butcher shop and restaurant for many years. Then, in 1906, it became a store selling car parts.
The building on the corner, which is now a salmon color, was built in 1814 by Moses Savary. It was originally white. Since most buildings in Kennebunk were yellow, this one became known as "the white store." It was almost always a market until it became part of the museum. Its last tenant was an antique shop.
Edith Barry bought these three buildings as they became available. The last one was purchased in 1958. Eventually, all four buildings were connected inside. This created one big museum space.
The Dane Street House
The fifth building in the museum complex was given by the Barry family. It was first used as the New Art Center Workshop, run by Edith Barry. This house, at 4 Dane Street, was built in the 1800s. Edith Barry inherited it from her mother's family. Today, the museum uses it for programs and storing its collections. It also has office spaces for rent.
What the Museum Collects
The museum's collections show many parts of the region's history. They cover everything from the first settlements to today. Most of the 35,000 objects are from the 1800s and 1900s. They tell stories about how people lived, worked, and governed. There are also some special items from the late 1600s and mid-1700s.
Art and Everyday Items
The museum has beautiful art and decorative items. These include works by famous artists from northern New England. Some of these artists are Thomas Badger, John Brewster, Jr., Abbott Fuller Graves, and William Hackett. You can also see important textiles, clothing, and household goods from the area. Items related to the sea and ships are also a big part of the collection. The museum also has special collections about well-known Maine authors. These include Sarah Orne Jewett, Kenneth Roberts, and Booth Tarkington.
Historical Documents and Photos
The museum has a very strong collection of historical documents. There are about 25,000 pieces in total. These include old letters, business records, and photographs. You can also find glass plate negatives, postcards, and maps. Researchers can use these materials. The museum also uses them in its exhibits.
Programs and Exhibitions for Visitors
The museum offers many programs for people of all ages. These programs reach out to the whole New England community. You can join craft workshops or listen to interesting talks. There are also special events just for members. Kids can enjoy summer camps and vacation camps in February. These events are always on the museum's yearly schedule.
The museum also puts on special events. For example, it celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2011. There's an annual "All Souls Walk and Dinner" for Halloween. And a Holiday Tea is held each year at a historic home in Kennebunk. The museum staff and volunteers create all these fun activities.
The museum also has an online presence. You can find two Twitter feeds that follow the travels of founder Edith Barry. There's also a yearly digital photography contest. Plus, you can explore many online exhibits on the museum's website.
Museum Renovations
The museum's four Main Street buildings were renovated in 2008 and 2009. This was a big project to fix up the old structures. The museum stayed open to the public during this time. However, some parts were closed temporarily while construction happened. All the collections stored in the buildings were carefully packed and moved. The renovations were finished in the summer of 2009.
