My husband and I became involved with the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk, Maine when we moved here and bought our business, The Captain Fairfield Inn in Kennebunkport. We were able to research the history of Captain Fairfield and view his portrait in the museum's collection. We were hooked and have been volunteers and board members ever since. History museums are a treasure to the community. If you are in the area for a visit live here year round or in the summer, please visit and support our treasure.
"History is who we are and why we are the way we are. " David McCullough
When I first found this Museum in 2006, I had lived in the area for quite some time and hadn't known it was just up the road, about 15 minutes away. Upon my first visit, I discovered a museum that was at once welcoming, expanding, hard-working, and interesting. Exhibitions continue to be a mix of art and history. I am amazed at the ability of this museum to produce the amount of exhibits and programs that it does each year with its limited staff.
It is a well-organized institution that really is "larger than life" in the sense that it is able to do what many mid-size museums do in a small museum's "body." The Museum is open year-round, and offers programming to match, never ceasing to put out a new event or educational program. They offer the "tried and true" All Souls Walk (a great Halloween treat!) and the Holiday Tea in the fall/winter, but are also really evolving to become a community-centered organization that tries new partnerships with surrounding non-profits and businesses. They have never done the same thing year-after-year, something is always different about the Museum when you walk in - I know from experience that this takes a significant amount of work, but the rewards for such an investment are great.
This institution is also a wonderful resource for local history. With impeccable filing and organization, the archivist and registrar are able to find almost anything you're researching. And with over 70,00 items, that says a lot. Their volunteers are truly dedicated, two of them offering almost full-time hours to the Museum, and that says a lot about an organization to me. This place is truly special, and I can't wait to see what they do next. I really encourage anyone to visit this museum and give the staff and volunteers there the courage and support they need to keep creating great experiences for visitors.
It has been my great pleasure to have been part of the planning and execution of some of The Brick Store Museum's fundraising events for the last ten years.
In addition to The Holiday Tea of Prelude Weekend ( always in an historic home) , we have listened to the interests of supporters and have had a walking tour of historic beach houses, followed by delightful picnic treats of the era and refreshing beverages at a very beautiful seaside historic home.
We have been welcomed at four different historic homes for a summer afternoon's bad mitten tournament, a victorian era birthday party, a barn dance and paper boat races.
Join us for Cocktails, Canapes and Cinema Charades in an antique barn, or for a sampling of fine wines in our collections vaults.
Join us for an event, join us for a lifetime...there is always something fun for the whole family...
I have been a member of the Brick Store Museum for many years and a member of the board of trustees since 2002. I am currently President. The Museum does a terrific job in presenting the history of our community of the Kennebunks through their exhibits and programing. The quality of the programming is one of the best in the State of Maine. I am very proud of our receiving reaccrediation from the American Alliance of Museums this year. The Museum is a true treasure of the community.