Historic Maps of the Local Area
The two most complete sets of maps of the area are from 1856 and 1872. Maps of early Wells were included in My Name is Wells by Hope Moody Shelley, […]
Did You Know?
– That the first enslaved person in Arundel (today’s Kennebunkport) was paid for by the Town? In 1734, as part of a compensation negotiation with Reverend Thomas Prentice, they agreed […]
Some Prominent Men of Kennebunk
Here are some examples of how slavery was not uncommon amongst the prominent businessmen of early Wells (which included Kennebunk until 1820). “In 1728, a grant was made, by the […]
A Presidential Pardon
On March 20, 1830, the following statement came forth from the White House: “Whereas it has been represented to me that the American Brig Volant … belonging to Adam Stone […]
A Negro Man Jeff, an “Heirloom” to Several Generations of the Wells Family
Thomas Wells (1672-1737) and John Wells (1670-1748) were brothers, and the sons of John Wells. They were prominent citizens of the town of Wells. They both enslaved “servants” and passed […]
Sarah Junkins
Speaking a name and telling someone’s story is a remarkable feeling. Especially if that person is “lost to time” – just a name scrawled in a payroll book, or a […]
Sheppard Bourn – a Story of Impressment at Sea
Sheppard Bourn was the son of Salem and Peggy. His father Salem (DOB 1755) had been enslaved by John Bourne (1708-1788), the “ancestor of all the Bourne families in Wells […]
The First Enslaved Person in Arundel
The First Enslaved Person in “Arundel” was paid for by the Town. “In August 1729, the town by their vote dismissed Mr. Eveleth from his relation to them as a […]
ART+Pride Mural Support Needed!
Mural in honor of Cookie Davis >> Art+PRIDE In Summer 2024, the Brick Store Museum (BSM) will be premiering the artwork of local trans-artist Cookie Davis (also known as Coleman […]
The Brick Store Museum is a BLUE STAR MUSEUM!
The Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk and The Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport announced they will join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free […]