Based in the heart of the state’s first Historic District, the Brick Store Museum champions local work in historic preservation. Through resources at the Museum’s archives and at Kennebunk Town Hall, homeowners and business owners are welcome to explore the rich history of our communities. Scroll down to learn more about the resources at your disposal.
Kennebunk Historic District
The goal of the Historic District is to preserve and protect the historic sites and structures in the Kennebunk National Historic District. The guidelines assigned to such structures are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Are you living and/or working in Kennebunk’s Historic District? Learn more about the District and its guidelines in the Kennebunk Historic Preservation Overlay District Design Guidelines (via the Town website).
Museum Resources
- Archives Research
The Museum holds nearly 35,000 pieces of archival material and supplemental histories of the historic people and places of the Kennebunks. Looking for old photos of your historic home? Wondering about the people who used to live there? We are happy to help! Learn more about Archives research, and make an appointment, by visiting the Archives Research page.
- “Windows on the Past” Architectural History
With stunning images of the homes in Kennebunk, this book illustrates both the architectural history and the lives of those that lived within the structure. Learn about 42 dwellings encompassing architectural styles from the early 18th Century to the early 20th Century. Color-coded style reference pages and a pull-out map at the back of the book help any reader to identify and find each home in the book, as well as further develop your own architectural knowledge. This book can be purchased at our Museum Store or online.
- Kennebunk History Explorer
Looking to learn more about the historic events and locations throughout our community? Visit the Museum’s virtual StoryMap, the Kennebunk History Explorer, a GIS-based map that takes you on an adventure through time and space! This interactive map can be used on computers and smartphones to discover the history that’s all around us. This resource is constantly updated so you may see this site under construction. Visit the Kennebunk History Explorer>>
The Brick Store Museum is invested in collecting the modern history of our community. You can help us! Via our site, use Google Forms that focus on specific areas of our culture and shared experience to answer the questionnaires and help the Museum collect YOUR experience!
Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness for any property located within the Historic Preservation Overlay District and conversions of buildings on or eligible to be on the National Register of Historic Places, which are located in the Downtown Business District and the Upper Square District.
All structures in the Overlay District must apply to make any changes to structure exteriors. Learn more about the process of application by visiting the Town’s Historic Preservation Commission website, above.
Archaeology
Learn more about the Museum’s archaeology initiatives on our Archaeology page.
Donating Artifacts
Do you have photographs, stories, or artifacts that relate to your historic Kennebunk home? One of the best ways to preserve the history of your structure is to donate items (or copies of!) to the Museum to keep the history of your home, the work you’ve done, and anything you’ve found in your house for future generations to enjoy.
Learn more about donating artifacts on our Collections page.
Historic Home Sign Program
The Museum is proud to help historic homeowners celebrate their homes. Owners of structures built before 1970, or those built on historic sites, are invited to take part in the Historic Sign Program at the Brick Store Museum.
The Kennebunks and York County are especially populated with homes preserved over a century or more. Taking part in the Historic Sign Program means you are highlighting your home as an historic structure and preserving its history for generations to come.
Learn more about the research process, how to order your historic home sign, and the different design choices you have by exploring our Historic Sign Program page.