Collections & Archives
The Museum’s collections include 55,000 artifacts, objects, photographs, documents and materials related to local history and art.
The Museum cares for 55,000 multi-disciplinary objects within our historic buildings on Main Street. Artifacts and archives are interpreted in many ways, including through exhibitions, research projects, and educational programs. Museum collections have strong representation in costume and textiles, historical photographs, decorative arts, furnishings, material culture and art. Fascinating artifacts and intriguing stories – and much more – have shaped our past and present. And they’re all here at the Brick Store Museum.
Because only 5% of the collection is displayed at any one time, the Museum constantly rotates exhibitions, programs and features. The Museum often features objects in our monthly Collections Spotlight email; and on our social media and Youtube accounts. The public can also schedule a time to visit the collections and archives not currently on view by contacting us at info@brickstoremuseum.org or calling (207)985-4802.
Archival Image Requests
Photographs and images from our collections are available for personal and commercial use. Click below to learn more about using photographs and images from the Museum collections.
Conducting Research
The Museum’s collections and archives are available for research. Learn more about conducting research at the Museum via the button below.
Donating an Artifact
The Museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving local history. We depend on donors like you to share objects and archives relating to local history with the community.
About the Collections
The Brick Store Museum’s collection reflects a diverse past with artifacts ranging from centuries-old Indigenous stone tools to a 1685 wooden chest (one of only two in the world) to 20th century cameras and hotel dinner menus. Collections hold everyday objects telling the stories of centuries of life in our region. The Museum’s Archaeology program adds to our narrative of life pre-17th century.
Artwork
The Museum’s artwork collection includes the largest collection of World War I and II American propaganda posters in New England; significant collections of Abbott Fuller Graves (1859-1936), Edith Cleaves Barry (1884-1969), Louis D. Norton (1868 – 1940), Thomas Badger (1792-1868), Hannah Browne Skeele (1829 – 1901), Charles Octavius Cole (1814 – 1858), and deaf artist John Brewster, Jr. (1766 – 1854). The Museum actively collects 20th Century and modern Maine art and craft, including works by Peggy Bacon, Mildred Burrage, and Gabriel Frey, Passamaquoddy.
Historic Photographs
The Museum’s archival collections include thousands of historic photographs of people, events, and locations in Kennebunk and the surrounding towns.
Of particular note is the Albion Moody collection, consisting of hundreds of images of buildings and Kennebunk citizens at the turn of the 20th century, developed from glass plate negatives.
Textiles
The Museum’s costume and textile collections number over 2,000 pieces and illustrate the fashions worn by local inhabitants between the 18th and 21st centuries. Additionally, because this area was well-known for home production of woven blankets, quilts, and rugs, the Museum holds a significant collection of locally-produced textiles.
Maritime History
Kennebunk played a major role in the 19th century maritime trade, with more than a dozen shipyards building over 1,000 ships on the Kennebunk River over 150 years. Highlights of the collection include tools, half hull models and equipment from the shipbuilding trade, artifacts brought home from all around the world by ship captains and sailors, and archival material such as ship’s logs, ledgers, and captain’s diaries.
Special Collections Focus
Collection of artifacts over time means that sometimes stories, culturally-significant objects, and meaningful movements need special focus in order to be protected, filled in, and strengthened to ensure their long term survival. The Museum continually surveys our collection and takes note of what items, histories, cultures, and experiences we are missing.
Visit our Collections Focus page to learn more about current collecting priorities and thematic needs.
About the Archives
The Museum serves as Kennebunk’s history research center with roughly 35,000 pieces of archival material. Extensive primary source materials range from diaries and family papers to commercial records, maps and architectural drawings. Particularly significant are more than 3,000 historical photographs and vintage postcards, plus indexes for Kennebunk-built ships, local history subjects and genealogical collections. Area newspapers dating back to 1877 exist as bound originals and/or have been digitized.
Exploring the Archives
Those looking to conduct research in Kennebunk history should contact the Brick Store Museum staff to best plan your research. While our archives are not currently available online, much of our holdings are digitized so that research can be conducted via email. To get started, visit our Conducting Research or learn more about Archival Image Requests.
Oral History
The Museum staff and volunteers are constantly recording and digitizing oral histories with Kennebunk citizens. You can partake in this work by attending a Museum Oral History training (offered annually). Selected recordings from the Museum’s Oral History collection can be explored in our Oral History Archive.
Contact Us
Get started on your research journey, ask a question, or be in touch with collections-related questions by emailing us at info@brickstoremuseum.org or by calling (207)985-4802. You can find out more about our Museum team who will be assisting you on our Staff & Trustees page.
You may also be interested in…
Digital Learning Center
The Digital Learning Center is the Museum’s central hub of online resources and tools; including archival features and online exhibits. (Learn more…)
Support Collections Funding
Support the care of the Museum’s collections through a donation to the Barry-Bodman Fund, established for collections conservation and care. (Learn more…)
Archaeology
Discover more information about the Museum’s archaeological work. (Learn more…)
Exhibitions
Education
