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KENNEBUNKPORT
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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SUMMER LAWN
PARTY RETURNS!
Dance into summer with 1960s hits, BYOB drinks, and community vibes on the historic White Columns lawn. Music, fun, rain or shine!
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Cheers to Andrea Rolleri and to all our wonderful volunteers!
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AUGUST CALENDAR RAFFLE IN FULL SWING
Our August Calendar Raffle is back! We’re seeking gift card donations now, and early ticket sales are officially open.
| | WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR SUPPORTERS | |
The Kennebunkport Historical Society thrives because of the generosity, enthusiasm, and dedication of our supporters. Whether through membership, financial contributions, sponsorships, or volunteer service, your commitment helps us preserve and share the history of our community.
This year, we were especially pleased to welcome many new members and volunteers to our organization. We are grateful for your support and proud to recognize the individuals, families, businesses, and organizations that make our work possible.
OUR MEMBERS
New members are highlighted
| | THANK YOU WALLINGFORD FARM! | | |
The Kennebunkport Historical Society extends its sincere gratitude to our garden sponsor, Wallingford Farm, for their continued generosity, expertise, and support.
Their knowledge and dedication have been invaluable as we work to recreate and maintain Celia Nott’s historic gardens at White Columns. The gardens are an important part of the visitor experience, helping to bring the property’s history to life while preserving the character and beauty of this beloved landmark.
We are also grateful to Wallingford Farm for helping us source wholesale geraniums for our annual spring fundraiser. Their assistance contributed greatly to the success of the event and helped us welcome the season with beautiful blooms throughout the community.
Thank you to the entire Wallingford Farm team for helping us preserve, interpret, and celebrate Kennebunkport’s history: one garden at a time.
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WHO IS READY FOR VICTORIAN TEA?
Join us on June 26 at 1PM as the beloved Richard A. Nott Memorial House opens its doors for one of our most charming traditions: a delightful Victorian Tea!
Our dedicated volunteers have been busy preparing for this special afternoon, gathering vintage teapots, selecting a variety of teas, and arranging beautiful serving stands for an assortment of homemade treats. Guests will enjoy mini sandwiches, freshly baked scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, and other traditional tea-time favorites while surrounded by the elegance and history of White Columns.
Whether you are a devoted tea enthusiast or simply looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon with friends, this beloved fundraiser offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty and hospitality of a bygone era.
Festive hats are encouraged, but entirely optional!
We look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of tea, conversation, and community in one of Kennebunkport’s most treasured historic homes.
Reservations are required - Only a few spots left!
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UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE ARCHIVES
Curious about what lies behind the scenes at the Kennebunkport Historical Society? Join Historian Sharon Cummins for an Unscripted Tour of the Archives on Thursday, June 25 at 11AM.
This informal and unscripted program offers a rare opportunity to explore items from our collections and hear the stories behind them. From photographs and documents to artifacts and unexpected discoveries, no two archive tours are ever quite the same. Whether you are a longtime history enthusiast, a genealogist, or simply curious about the treasures hidden within our collections, you are sure to leave with a deeper appreciation for Kennebunkport’s rich heritage.
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LECTURES BRING LOCAL HISTORY TO LIFE
One of the Kennebunkport Historical Society’s greatest pleasures is sharing local history with the community through lectures, discussions, and special programs.
| | In May, we partnered with Graves Memorial Library to present a lecture exploring Kennebunkport’s role in the American Revolution as part of the nation’s ongoing 250th anniversary commemoration. Attendees learned about the people, events, and sacrifices that connected our community to the founding of the United States and the struggle for independence. | |  | Earlier this month, we were pleased to collaborate with the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust for a well-attended lecture at the Clem Clark Boathouse, overlooking the site of the historic grist mill. The setting provided a fitting backdrop for an engaging discussion of local history and the ways in which our natural and cultural landscapes remain intertwined. | | |
We are grateful to our community partners for helping us bring these programs to residents and visitors alike. Together, we continue to create opportunities for people to connect with the stories, places, and people that shaped Kennebunkport.
Looking ahead, Historian Sharon Cummins will present a lecture on the history of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, exploring the rich history of one of Kennebunkport’s most recognizable and beloved landmarks. We invite you to join us for this fascinating look at the people, architecture, and traditions that have made St. Ann’s an enduring part of our community. Tickets are available through St. Ann’s.
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CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY
As part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the Historical Society will also host a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Town House School on Saturday, July 4 at 10:00 a.m. Town House Corners served as the center of town during the Revolutionary era, making it likely that local residents gathered at this very location to hear the Declaration read more than two centuries ago.
We hope you will join us as we commemorate this important moment in our nation’s history and reflect on its local connections.
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MID-WEEK MUSIC CONTINUES
AT THE TOWN HOUSE SCHOOL
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Music and history continue to come together at the Town House School through our popular Mid-Week Music series.
This spring, local musician Dana Pearson and his talented guest performers entertained audiences with evenings celebrating the music of Sam Cooke, Hank Williams, and John Fogerty. These engaging performances blend live music with stories and historical context, creating a unique experience that has become a favorite among attendees.
Housed within the historic Town House School, the series offers an intimate setting where guests can enjoy outstanding musicianship while gathering with friends and neighbors in one of Kennebunkport’s most treasured community spaces.
We are grateful to Dana and his fellow musicians for sharing their talents and helping us bring new audiences through the doors of this historic building.
The series continues throughout the summer with
upcoming performances featuring:
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TORCH SONGS
Wednesday, July 8th at 7pm
Chanteuse Aja Bowley makes her Mid-Week Music debut, along with pianist Mike Effenberger, with this concert of classic torch songs recorded by the likes of Julie London (“Cry Me a River”), Ella Fitzgerald (“Someone to Watch Over Me”), Etta James (“I’d Rather Go Blind”), and Billie Holiday (“Come Rain or Come Shine”). Host Dana Pearson will provide percussion while mostly enjoying the show.
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BUDDY HOLLY
Wednesday, July 22nd at 7pm
They did it before, they’re doing it again: John Kumnick (bass), Dylan Kumnick (drums), and host Dana Pearson (guitar) will crank out one Buddy Holly hit after another, like “Maybe Baby,” “It’s So Easy,” “That’ll Be the Day,” and “Well…All Right.” Buddy Holly’s career may have been brief, but he churned out so many great songs from 1956 to 1958 – mostly originals – that his legacy as one of the pioneers of rock and roll endures.
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CHUCK BERRY
Wednesday, August 12th at 7pm
Hail! Hail! Rock and roll! To mark Mid-Week Music’s fifth anniversary, host Dana Pearson (guitar) teams up with frequent collaborator Mark Gunter (keyboard) and new guest Adam Dubay (drums) to unleash an avalanche of vintage rock and roll, courtesy of Founding Father Chuck Berry. You know ‘em, you love ‘em: “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “No Particular Place to Go,” “Promised Land,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “You Never Can Tell,” etc. Saxophonist Mary Kennedy will sit in on a few of the numbers.
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ACOUSTIC BEATLES
Wednesday, September 9th at 7pm
They did it before, they’re doing it again: John Kumnick (bass), Dylan Kumnick (drums), and host Dana Pearson (guitar) will crank out one Buddy Holly hit after another, like “Maybe Baby,” “It’s So Easy,” “That’ll Be the Day,” and “Well…All Right.” Buddy Holly’s career may have been brief, but he churned out so many great songs from 1956 to 1958 – mostly originals – that his legacy as one of the pioneers of rock and roll endures.
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SUMMER LAWN PARTY
Join us on the lawn of the Richard A. Nott Memorial House on Friday, August 1 for a fun and relaxed summer evening of music, dancing, and community.
This year's Lawn Party will feature Jo O'Connor and the Dock Squares performing favorite hits from the 1960s in one of Kennebunkport's most beautiful historic settings. Whether you want to dance, sing along, or simply enjoy a summer evening with friends, this event promises to be a memorable celebration.
This is a 21-and-over, BYOB event, so bring your favorite beverage, a lawn chair, and your dancing shoes. Additional refreshments will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
We hope you'll join us as we celebrate summer, support local history, and enjoy a wonderful evening on the lawn.
This event will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, ticket holders will be notified of any adjustments to the evening's plans.
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JOIN THE FUN:
Our August Calendar Raffle Returns!
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The Kennebunkport Historical Society's popular August Calendar Raffle is just around the corner, and we invite you to join the fun while supporting both local businesses and local history.
Throughout the month of August, a lucky winner will be drawn each day to receive a prize donated by a local business or supporter. It's a wonderful way to celebrate our community while helping raise funds to support the Historical Society's programs, collections, and preservation efforts.
There are two easy ways to participate:
• Purchase raffle tickets — Tickets are $10 each or 15 tickets for $100.
• Donate a gift card or prize — Consider purchasing a gift card from your favorite local restaurant, shop, or business and donating it to the raffle. This approach supports local businesses while creating exciting prizes for our daily drawings.
Whether you buy a ticket, donate a prize, or both, your participation helps strengthen our community and supports the Historical Society's mission to preserve and share Kennebunkport's rich history.
Watch for additional details and prize announcements as August approaches. Thank you for helping make this annual fundraiser a success!
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It is easy to forget that the Kennebunkport Historical Society’s Board of Directors is made up entirely of volunteers. This quarter, we are pleased to recognize Board President Andrea “Andy” Rolleri, whose dedication, leadership, and hard work continue to make a lasting impact on our organization.
A Connecticut native, Andy is serving her second term on the Historical Society’s Board of Directors and brings a lifetime of professional experience as an industrial designer specializing in exhibition planning and design. Her expertise has been invaluable as the Historical Society works toward creating a new Archive and Research Center. Andy has devoted countless hours to researching, planning, sketching, and helping shape the vision for this important project, ensuring that future generations will have access to Kennebunkport’s rich historical collections.
Andy and her husband, Dennis Van Sickle, who are also business partners, share a love of historic homes and preservation. What neither expected when they became involved with the Historical Society was that Andy’s own family history would lead directly back to Kennebunkport. Through genealogical research, Executive Director Kristin Haight discovered that Andrea is a direct descendant of early settler Jacob Wildes, revealing a personal connection to the community she has worked so hard to preserve.
While her professional expertise is a tremendous asset, Andy is equally known for her willingness to roll up her sleeves and help wherever needed. Whether weeding gardens, setting up and breaking down events, decorating for Christmas, assisting with projects, or supporting staff and volunteers behind the scenes, Andy leads by example and embodies the spirit of volunteerism.
We are deeply grateful for Andy’s leadership, generosity, and countless hours of service. The Kennebunkport Historical Society is stronger because of her dedication, and we are proud to recognize her as this quarter’s Volunteer Spotlight.
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS & VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
The Kennebunkport Historical Society is proud to support and encourage the next generation of historians, educators, and community leaders.
| | Congratulations to Joseph DiGiovanni, the recipient of this year’s Tim Dietz Scholarship. Awarded annually to a deserving student with an interest in history, education, community service, or related fields, the scholarship honors the legacy of longtime educator and historian Tim Dietz. We wish Joseph continued success in all future endeavors. | | | |
We would also like to recognize and thank our dedicated high school volunteers who assisted us this spring. Their enthusiasm, hard work, and willingness to support us have been greatly appreciated.
| | A special congratulations goes to Brielle Thompson, who has served as our Social Media Intern this past year. Brielle’s creativity and dedication have helped us connect with the community and share the stories of Kennebunkport’s past with new audiences. We wish her every success as she graduates from Kennebunk High School and begins her next chapter at the University of Connecticut. | | | |
Finally, we are delighted to welcome Lauren Aube and Parker Gaudette as our new Social Media Interns. We look forward to working with them and seeing the fresh ideas and energy they will bring to the Historical Society.
Congratulations and thank you to all of our student volunteers and supporters. Your involvement helps ensure a bright future for both our organization and our community.
| | The Kennebunkport Historical Society continues to benefit from the generosity of community members who help preserve our shared history through donations to the archives. This spring, we received a number of exciting additions to our collections, each contributing another piece to the story of Kennebunkport. | | We are also grateful to Suzanne Stohlman, who donated her book on the Grandmenan Sisters; Mike Burd, who donated Joyce Butler Scrapbook, Volume I and Here in Kennebunkport; Barbara (Barrie) Schultheis, who donated a beautifully matted photograph of a fleet of Indian sailboats; Susan Graham, who contributed a collection of historic photographs and postcards; and Patty Chick Tynan, who donated Old Home Week brochures and newspapers from 1907, a photograph of a sailboat fleet, materials relating to the Historical Society from the 1980s, and additional items still to come. |
| Among the most significant recent acquisitions is the Mildred McDonald Collection, generously donated by the Amstein family. This remarkable collection includes historic Goose Rocks Beach photographs, memorabilia, and newspaper clippings documenting the Great Fire of 1947, as well as images of local people, homes, businesses, and landmarks before the fire forever altered the landscape. These materials will provide invaluable resources for Historian Sharon Cummins as she prepares her upcoming lecture on the history of Goose Rocks Beach later this year. | | In addition, the Estate of Jane Morgan generously donated a complete collection of historic Kennebunkport Playhouse posters, preserving an important chapter of our community's cultural history. |
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Every donation, whether a single photograph or an entire collection, helps us preserve the stories, people, and places that define Kennebunkport.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to these donors and to all who continue to entrust the Historical Society with preserving our community's heritage
for future generations.
| | WHAT HAS THE KHS BEEN UP TO? | | |
STEWARDSHIP AT THE NOTT HOUSE
Preserving a historic property requires thoughtful stewardship and, at times, practical decisions to ensure both the safety of our visitors and the protection of historic resources.
After many years of use, the wall-to-wall carpeting in the Richard A. Nott Memorial House had become significantly worn and presented potential safety concerns for guests. To address this issue, we recently installed new carpeting in the front portion of the room while preserving and roping off a section of the historic carpet for interpretation and viewing.
In keeping with our commitment to preservation, we also retained samples of the original carpeting to document its pattern and construction, preserving the possibility of future replication if desired.
While often unseen, this type of ongoing stewardship is an important part of caring for historic properties and ensuring that they remain both accessible and well-preserved for future generations.
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PRESERVING VETERAN'S STORIES
A recent collaboration between the Kennebunkport Historical Society and the Kennebunkport American Legion has added several new oral histories to our collections.
The project, developed through a shared interest in preserving local history, invited RSU21 high school seniors to interview local veterans as part of the American Legion's scholarship program. Copies of the interviews have been added to the Historical Society's archives, ensuring that these important stories will be preserved for future generations.
We thank the American Legion, participating students, and local veterans for helping make this project a success.
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CARING FOR OUR HISTORIC CLOTHING COLLECTION
Thanks to the generosity of the Morton-Kelly Foundation, the Kennebunkport Historical Society received a grant to support the preservation and cataloging of our extensive vintage clothing collection.
The grant enabled us to purchase archival-quality storage boxes and acid-free tissue paper, important tools in the long-term care of historic textiles. These materials help protect fragile garments from damage while ensuring they remain accessible for future research and exhibition.
We have also assembled a dedicated team of volunteers who are working to photograph, digitize, catalog, stabilize, and properly store these remarkable pieces of local history. The collection includes clothing and accessories that offer a unique glimpse into the daily lives, traditions, and craftsmanship of generations past.
This important work is helping prepare the collection for its eventual move into the new Archive and Research Center, where these irreplaceable items will benefit from enhanced preservation and storage conditions.
We are grateful to the Morton-Kelly Foundation and our hardworking volunteers for helping us safeguard this important part of Kennebunkport’s history for future generations.
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THANK YOU, MAINE & VINE!
A special thank you to Lani Dietz and Maine & Vine for hosting a delightful wine tasting at the Nott House to help kick off our summer season.
We are grateful for Lani's continued support of the Kennebunkport Historical Society and for providing our guests with a wonderful evening of community, conversation, and hospitality in a beautiful historic setting.
Thank you for helping us start the season on such a memorable note!
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INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH LOCAL HISTORY
The Kennebunkport Historical Society remains committed to connecting young people with the history of their community through meaningful educational experiences.
This spring, members of our Education Committee, many of whom are retired educators, collaborated with teachers at Consolidated School to develop age-appropriate, STEM-based programs designed to bring local history to life. By combining historical inquiry with hands-on learning, students were encouraged to explore the past in engaging and memorable ways.
Throughout the school year, students participated in a variety of activities, including historic scavenger hunts, map-reading exercises, and visits to our historic properties. At the Town House School, children experienced what life was like in a nineteenth-century one-room schoolhouse, complete with lessons, activities, and even traditional games such as jacks. These interactive experiences help students develop critical thinking skills while fostering an appreciation for the people and events that shaped our community.
Our partnership with Consolidated School continues to grow, creating exciting opportunities for students to engage with local history beyond the classroom. By working together with teachers, volunteers, and community partners, we are helping young learners discover that history is not just something found in textbooks, as it is all around them.
We are grateful to our dedicated Education Committee volunteers and the faculty and staff at Consolidated School for their enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to making local history an important part of every student’s educational experience.
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LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE EVENT VENUE?
The Kennebunkport Historical Society offers select rental opportunities at two of our historic properties.
The Town House School provides a charming setting for meetings, lectures, celebrations, showers, and community gatherings throughout the year.
For those seeking an unforgettable outdoor venue, the Nott House Lawn is available for a limited number of private events. To protect the historic property and grounds, tented receptions are restricted, making this one of the area's most exclusive event opportunities. In fact, our 2027 tented event date has already been reserved.
Rental income directly supports the preservation of our historic properties, collections, and educational programs.
For information and availability, please contact the Historical Society office.
| | WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR MISSION | | | | |
