Walker's Point Estate facts for kids
Walker's Point Estate is a special summer home for the Bush family in Kennebunkport, Maine. It sits right on the Atlantic Ocean in the northeastern United States. This estate was also known as the "Summer White House" when George H. W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States.
Walker's Point sticks out into the ocean in southern Maine. It's about halfway between Portland, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This place has been a Bush family getaway for over 100 years. It started with President Bush's great-grandfather, George Herbert Walker.
Contents
History of Walker's Point
The Bush family's history with Walker's Point began in the late 1800s. President Bush's great-grandfather, David Davis Walker, and his son, George Herbert Walker, bought the land together. They built large houses on the point in 1902.
In 1921, George Herbert Walker's daughter, Dorothy, married Prescott Bush. As a wedding gift, her father built them a smaller house, sometimes called a "bungalow," on the point. Later, in 1977, George H. W. Bush bought the property. It has stayed in the Bush family ever since.
Family Summers and Special Guests
President George H. W. Bush spent many summers at the Kennebunkport estate when he was a child. As an adult, he and his wife, Barbara Bush, brought their children there every summer. Their children included George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Marvin Bush, Neil Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch, and Robin.
The estate has been the setting for many family events. These include weddings, holidays, and parties. When George H. W. Bush was president, he hosted important world leaders here. Guests like Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev came for informal meetings.
President George H. W. Bush loved his memories of summers at Walker's Point. He once wrote about how much he enjoyed seeing old friends and neighbors there. He remembered watching glamorous people in their boats and wishing for a ride. These were happy times for him.
His son, George W. Bush, who became the 43rd President, also visits Kennebunkport often. He brings his family to the estate several times a year.
The Estate's Buildings and Grounds
The Walker's Point estate is on a piece of land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. The main house is very large. It has nine bedrooms, four sitting rooms, an office, a library, and a dining room. It also has many patios and decks.
Next to the main house, there's a garage for four cars, a swimming pool, and a tennis court. There's also a dock for boats and a guesthouse. The property has large grassy areas, including a small sports field.
Security and Flags
The entrance to the estate has a gate and is guarded by Secret Service officers. Visitors can see the driveway leading to the main house. In the middle of a circular driveway, there's a tall flagpole. The American flag always flies there.
When either President Bush was staying at the estate while in office, the Presidential flag was flown below the American flag. This flagpole was a popular spot for TV reporters during the elder Bush's presidency.
In 1991, strong storms caused a lot of damage to the home. The repairs cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The family worked to fix everything so they could continue to enjoy their summer home.
Important Visitors to Walker's Point
Many famous people have visited the Bush family at Walker's Point. These guests include world leaders and other important figures.
World Leaders Who Visited
- French President François Mitterrand visited President George H. W. Bush in May 1989.
- British Prime Minister John Major visited President George H. W. Bush in August 1991.
- Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney visited President George H. W. Bush in August 1991.
- Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin visited President George H. W. Bush in August 1992.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin visited President George W. Bush in July 2007. He also met with former President George H. W. Bush.
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited President George W. Bush in August 2007. He also met with former President George H. W. Bush.
- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited in the summer of 2011.
Other Notable Guests
- Billy Graham and his wife Ruth Graham vacationed there with the elder Bushes.
- Former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell was a guest more than once.
- Retired Lieutenant General William Pagonis also visited the compound multiple times.
- Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with George W. Bush here before the 2000 U.S. presidential election.
- Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's nomination was announced at Walker's Point in July 1991.
