History

Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk

Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk: In 1936, in the middle of the Great Depression, Edith Cleaves Barry opened the Brick Store Museum on Main Street in Kennebunk. This town was recognized nationally for its shipbuilding prowess in the 19th century, and by the early 20th century it turned into a nationwide tourist and artist mecca. Though the town preserved its small-town charm, it consistently spearheaded trends on a national level. Edith Barry inherited a brick general store building, built in 1825, from her uncle, William Barry, in the early 1930s, and knew immediately that she would open a museum dedicated to the story of this area. When the Brick Store Museum opened in 1936, it became one of only 10 museums in the entire country to open between the Great Depression and World War II.

Museum in the Streets

Check out the town’s 25 historical markers on this self-guided tour in Kennebunk. The start map is located outside Kennebunk Town Hall; printed maps are available at the Chamber. For details, visit themuseuminthestreets.com.

Edith Barry funded the museum with her own money and invested her time and hard work for the rest of her life. The Museum absorbed four other buildings on the block, all built between 1810 and 1860, to house its collection of over 70,000 artifacts relating to the culture of the Kennebunks.

Today, the museum is open six days a week, offering exhibitions, tours, research and programs year-round. Admission is $5 per person, free for 16 and under. For information, visit www.brickstoremuseum.org, or call (207) 985-4802.

Did you know if you use #goKennebunks or tag @GoKennebunks on Instagram, your photo could be featured in the Chamber’s guidebook or social media sites? Thanks to all those who have shared their insta-worthy pictures!