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KENNEBUNKPORT
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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SUMMER LAWN
PARTY RETURNS!
We are excited to bring back the Summer Lawn Party at the Nott House, and this year, we’re heading back to the 1960s!
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Cheers to Bobbie Bell and to all our wonderful volunteers!
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2026 LECTURE SERIES SCHEDULE!
Our 2026 lecture season with historian Sharon Cummins promises a rich exploration of Kennebunkport’s past.
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WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR SUPPORTERS
The strength of the Kennebunkport Historical Society rests in the collective support of our community. Our work is made possible through the time, partnership, and financial commitment of many.
OUR EXTRAORDINARY TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS
More than 1,000 hours of service this past year helped power our tours, events, collections care, and historic properties.
👉 View our volunteer team
👉 Learn more about becoming a volunteer
OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Local businesses provide vital partnership and financial support that sustain our programs year-round. We encourage you to support the businesses that support local history.
👉 View our 2025 Community Sponsors
👉 For 2026 Season Sponsorship opportunities
👉 List of businesses who donated to our raffles and “Taste of the Town” fundraising events.
MEMBERS & ANNUAL FUND DONORS
Membership and Annual Fund contributions provide essential operating support, strengthening preservation efforts, educational programming, and long-term sustainability.
👉 View our current members
👉 View our Annual Fund donors
👉 Renew your membership
👉 Make a gift to our annual fund
THANK YOU TO THE MORTON- KELLY FOUNDATION
We are pleased to recognize the Morton-Kelly Foundation for its generous grant in support of preserving our vintage clothing collection.
This remarkable collection, which includes military uniforms, ladies’ dresses, hand-stitched undergarments, hats, purses, gloves, and accessories dating back to the mid-1800s, represents an important part of Kennebunkport’s social and cultural history.
Thanks to this funding, our volunteer team will begin the careful process of rehousing the collection in acid-free tissue and archival boxes, labeling and photographing each piece, and advancing the digitization of these materials to ensure their long-term preservation and accessibility.
Interested in being part of this exciting preservation effort?
👉 Click here to learn more and get involved.
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March is the perfect time to join, or renew, your membership with the Kennebunkport Historical Society.
🍀 Join & Save – Sign up for a membership in March and get 10% off memberships of $100 & up (online purchases only).
🎟 Win a Gift Basket – Join or renew at any level in March and get one entry into a drawing for a Kport-themed gift basket!
✨ Refer & Boost Your Chances – Recruit a new member and receive 10 extra entries into the gift basket drawing!
With America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and KHS’s 75th anniversary in 2027 on the horizon, this is an exciting time to be part of our growing community
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The drawing will take place on March 31.
👉 Visit our website to join, renew, or refer.
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NEW VOLUNTEER
OPEN HOUSE
Interested in meeting new people while giving back to the community?
We invite you to learn more about volunteering with the Kennebunkport Historical Society.
Join us on Monday, May 4th at 2:00 PM at the Pasco Center, 125 North Street to explore current volunteer opportunities and discover how you can get involved.
If you’re unable to attend, please reach out. We would be happy to schedule a time to connect with you individually.
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SUMMER LAWN PARTY RETURNS!
August 1 | 6:00–9:00 PM | Nott House Grounds
We are excited to bring back the Summer Lawn Party at the Nott House, and this year, we’re heading back to the 1960s.
Details will be shared in the coming months, but you can expect an evening of music, memories, and celebration on the lawn.
As we prepare, we invite members of the community to help us spotlight Kennebunkport in the 1960s. Do you have photographs, stories, or memorabilia from time spent here during that decade? We would love to collect copies, record oral histories, and feature these memories as part of the event, preserving them for future generations to enjoy.
Tickets will be available later this spring.
Stay tuned and start looking through those photo albums!
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2026 LECTURE SERIES
WITH HISTORIAN, SHARON CUMMINS!
Our 2026 lecture season with historian Sharon Cummins promises a rich exploration of Kennebunkport’s past. From Revolutionary War history and the story of St. Ann’s to Cape Arundel, Goose Rocks Beach, Cape Porpoise, and the Indigenous Peoples of the Kennebunks, this year’s programs offer something for everyone.
Lectures begin in May at Graves Library and continue throughout the summer and fall at venues including the KCT Boathouse, St. Ann’s, and the Town House School. The Annual Meeting of the Membership will be held on August 27, followed that evening by a special lecture on the history of Goose Rocks Beach.
Full details, including times and ticket information, will be shared on our website and through upcoming eblasts.
| | WHERE: The Pasco Center (125 North St. in KPT) | |
BEHIND-THE-SCENES ARCHIVE TOUR
Take a closer look at the stories behind Kennebunkport’s history!
Join historian Sharon Cummins for an unscripted, interactive tour of our archives, a rare opportunity to explore historic photographs, diaries, maps, and artifacts that are not typically on display. Questions are encouraged, and each tour unfolds a little differently.
Thursday, April 23 at 11:00 AM
Thursday, June 25 at 11:00 AM
There is no fee to attend; donations are appreciated.
Space is limited.
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SECOND ANNUAL GERANIUM SALE
Spring returns to the Nott House with our Second Annual Geranium Sale.
We are pleased to partner once again with our valued garden sponsor, Wallingford Farm, who will curate a beautiful selection of small potted geraniums and hanging baskets for purchase.
Preorders will be available, with details to follow.
We also invite members of the community to consider dividing and donating perennials from their own gardens to be included in the sale. Do you have something special that could brighten another garden this season?
Proceeds support the ongoing care of our historic properties and grounds.
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WHEN: Saturday, May 16th at 10am
WHERE: The Pasco Center (125 North St. in KPT)
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WHEN: June 26th at 1pm
WHERE: The Nott House (8 Maine St. in KPT)
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SPECIAL SUMMER TEA AT THE NOTT HOUSE
Join us for a charming afternoon tea at the Nott House.
Guests will enjoy live music, an assortment of specialty teas, and a selection of tea sandwiches and freshly baked scones, all served in one of Kennebunkport’s most historic settings.
Hats are warmly encouraged.
Reservations are required.
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MID-WEEK MUSIC CONTINUES
AT THE TOWN HOUSE SCHOOL
LIST OF UPCOMING CONCERTS
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Our monthly concert series continues at the Town House School, led by local musician Dana Pearson and a rotating lineup of talented guest performers.
Each evening offers a distinct musical experience in an intimate setting, a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live music right here in Kennebunkport.
Upcoming concert dates and themes are listed below.
We hope you will join us.
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WILLIE & KRIS
Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm
Don Wessels returns to Mid-Week Music to play the songs of Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson with host Dana Pearson. The singers/guitarists will pay homage to the legendary songwriters through tunes like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Loving Her Was Easier,” “Whiskey River,” and “Here Comes That Rainbow Again.”
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WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT JOHN FOGERTY
Wednesday, April 8th at 7pm
John Fogerty had been playing with brother Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook, and Doug Clifford since 1959, but it was from 1969 to 1971 that their band Creedence Clearwater Revival, anchored by his songwriting, enjoyed an uninterrupted string of hit singles (14) and albums (5). For this show, guitarist/singer Andy Oliver, drummer/singer Bill Petcher, and bassist/singer Dana Pearson will focus on that freakishly productive period (including “Proud Mary,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”), while also throwing in a couple of tunes from Fogerty’s solo career.
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LOOKING AHEAD:
2026 Calenda Raffles: Now Accepting Prize Donations!
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Last year’s calendar raffles were a tremendous success, highlighting local businesses and celebrating our community as we drew winners live from across our historic properties.
In 2026, we will host two raffles:
- The August Calendar Raffle
- The 12 Days of Christmas Prelude Raffle
We are now gathering prize donations for both events. Gift cards from local businesses will be collected and thoughtfully allocated between the two raffles once all contributions are received.
In addition to business participation, we warmly welcome support from our members and friends. If you would like to purchase a gift card from a local business and donate it as a raffle prize, we would be truly appreciative.
Together, these raffles showcase the strength of our community while supporting the work of the Historical Society.
👉 Click here to learn more or to contribute a prize.
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Bobbie Bell has been a dedicated docent at the Nott House for five years. She and her husband, Jim Scaduto, moved to Kennebunk in 2015 from Chatham, New Jersey, embracing an “empty-nest” lifestyle change. Though she admits she initially wondered how she would find her place in a new community, she quickly discovered Kennebunk and Kennebunkport to be warm and welcoming.
With a background in education, Bobbie worked in the RISE special education program at Consolidated School for several years before retiring in 2020. A friend introduced her to volunteering with the Kennebunkport Historical Society, and in Bobbie’s words, “It’s been a wonderful thing!”
Bobbie is a natural fit for our docent team. Friendly, funny, and genuinely people-centered, she delights in connecting with visitors from around the world while also strengthening ties within our local community. Her infectious laugh and generous spirit have endeared her to fellow volunteers, and she has formed lasting friendships along the way.
She continues to share her educational talents through our Education Committee, helping lead field trips and class visits. Whether decorating the Nott House for the holidays or showing up on cleanup days ready to do whatever is needed, Bobbie’s commitment never wavers.
An avid reader who enjoys cooking, aquacise at Quest Fitness, and time with her two children and three young grandchildren, Bobbie approaches each day with curiosity. As she puts it, she tries “to learn something new, meet someone interesting, or experience wonder.”
Bobbie, thank you for the joy and dedication you bring to our volunteer team
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A LOOK BACK AT PRELUDE 2025
Prelude 2025 was a season to remember.
| | Our annual “Taste of the Town” Christmas Party was once again a sold-out success, setting the tone for a festive and energetic month. | | Nott House Christmas tours reached a new attendance record, welcoming visitors from near and far. | | The Maine Made Craft Fair expanded over several days and, despite frigid temperatures, showcased the remarkable creativity and craftsmanship of Maine artisans. | | We celebrated our 5th annual sold-out Christmas concert at the Town House School, led by Dana Pearson. It was a joyful celebration we look forward to continuing this year. | | Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus delighted families as always, while Girls’ Night Out wreath decorating brought friends together for a festive evening. | | We celebrated Irene Cluff as our 2025 Prelude Room Decorating Contest Winner! | | Guests enjoyed walking tours with historian Sharon Cummins, bringing history to life amidst the twinkling lights. | | It was a joyful celebration we look forward to continuing this year. | | | |
PACKING AWAY THE HOLIDAYS
January brought the important (and less glamorous) task of carefully organizing and storing our Christmas decorations after another busy Prelude season.
Our volunteer team truly showed up, taking the time to sort, pack, label, and restore our historic spaces for the year ahead. Their energy and teamwork made the process both efficient and enjoyable.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make this effort a success.
| | WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR MISSION | | | | |
