Kennebunk Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kennebunk Historic District
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The Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk Village
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Both sides of ME 35 from Kennebunk River to U.S. 1, radiating streets at intersection, Kennebunk, Maine |
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| Area | 575 acres (233 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Late Victorian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000324 |
| Added to NRHP | June 5, 1974 |
The Kennebunk Historic District is a special area in the heart of Kennebunk, Maine. It's like a time capsule, showing how the town looked long ago. This district is full of beautiful old houses from the late 1700s and early 1800s. Back then, Kennebunk was a very busy place for building ships and sending goods by sea.
This important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's officially recognized for its historical value.
Welcome to Kennebunk's Historic Heart!
Kennebunk is a town located on the southern coast of Maine. It sits between two rivers: the Kennebunk River to the north and the Little River to the south. The Kennebunk River also forms the border with the nearby town of Kennebunkport.
A Look at Kennebunk's Past
Long ago, in the 1600s and 1700s, this area was part of a town called Wells. Kennebunk officially became its own town in 1820. The main part of the village grew up around the Mousam River, which flows through the town.
People first settled here permanently in 1736. Soon, a busy area developed between the Mousam River and the Kennebunk River. This area is now known as Summer Street (Maine State Route 35). The town's center is focused on what was once called the Post Road, which is now United States Route 1. The old shipyards, where many ships were built, were located on the west side of the Kennebunk River. Sadly, these shipyards are no longer standing today.
Famous Homes and Old Buildings
The Kennebunk Historic District covers a big part of the old village center. It stretches along State Route 35. Some of the oldest houses in the district were built in the 1750s and 1760s.
One famous house is the Lord Mansion at 20 Summer Street. Its oldest part is a smaller section attached to a grand house built in 1804. The northern part of Summer Street has many homes built in the early 1800s. These houses were often built for ship captains who lived in the town.
Perhaps the most eye-catching house is the "Wedding Cake House." It was built in 1826 for a shipyard owner. In the 1850s, it was decorated with fancy, detailed designs, making it look like a giant wedding cake!
