Dear Kennebunkport Historical Society Members,

It is with humility, gratitude, and excitement that I join the team at the Kennebunkport Historical Society. I appreciate how many of you welcomed me.

I look forward to stewarding the mission of preserving Kennebunkport’s history and begin by asking for your support.

This year has been challenging for so many, and nonprofits are no exception. The Kennebunkport Historical Society ceased operations, fundraising events were canceled, and the newly renovated schoolhouse was never utilized for private functions, live music, and lectures.

Through these troubled times, our team pressed on. It is with gratitude to so many of you who kept the KHS going that I accept the helm:

• Thank you to our Board members who met via Zoom to ensure stability.
• Thanks, to our staff, Emma Stevens, Sharon Cummins, and, of course, Kirsten Camp, who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, without taking a paycheck, making certain the duties of care were performed.
• Thank you to our amazing team of volunteers who worked in isolation or virtually by digitizing archives, assisting researchers and posting to our social media.
• Thank you to those who shared Sharon Cummins’ Throwback Thursdays on our Facebook page. Our Facebook following has grown and we are excited to be working on adding more virtual content for our members from away.
• Thank you to so many of you who contributed family artifacts, documents, diaries, photographs, videos, and artwork that added to our tremendous collection. We are humbled by your trust.
• Thank you to the members, we appreciate your ongoing support.

I entered an organization that was re-emerging from a global pandemic, going through administration changes, and splintering at the membership level because of miscommunications and misunderstandings. Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic about the future of the KHS. Our team is committed to excellence and transparency. Our aim is to grow and build and work together towards a shared vision.

The KHS Annual meeting will be announced shortly after the Board’s August meeting on the 16^th. Depending on the state of the pandemic, the meeting will either be at the schoolhouse or held virtually.

It is our mission at the Kennebunkport Historical Society to preserve and protect the social, cultural, and architectural history of Kennebunkport with the goal of making it meaningful to our every day lives.

In serving that mission, we ask for your support.

Your gift can make a difference. Our plans, as we reemerge from a global pandemic and as we shift into new leadership, are grand. We are creating new programming for people of all ages and look to bring the community back together for the KHS 70^th anniversary in 2022. I’d like to personally thank you for understanding that this past year has been an organizational and financial hardship for the KHS. Your gift is everything. You can make a gift on our website at https://kporths.com/gift/or mail to: Kennebunkport Historical Society, PO Box 1173, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Mark your calendars for our August Events:

* August 11, 2021, at Townhouse School: Sounds of the 70s; an intimate concert featuring Dana Pearson and Mark Gunter. Tickets are available through our website or by calling us at 207-967-2751. CDC Guidelines will be followed. BYOB. This is a 21 and over event. Click here for tickets.

* Friday, August 20, 2021 “Tea and Tales” series, docent/actress Hannah Cartwright will portray another member of the Nott Family (TBD). This event will be at the Nott House. CDC Guidelines will be followed. Click here for tickets.

*Please note that the Children’s Day date and time have changed to Saturday, August 28, 10 am -2 PM at White Columns. We are seeking volunteers to help coordinate and assist during the event. If you would like to volunteer, please contact me at KHaight @KportHS.com or call the office. Click here for tickets or call us at 207-967-2751. CDC Guidelines will be followed.

Member discounts are applied at checkout (promo code sent in email)

• To renew your membership with the KHS click here

Our team is working hard to create fun programming for our members. We can’t wait to share some of our upcoming member benefits at the next Annual Meeting.

Enjoy this lovely summer weather,

Cheers,

Kristin

_{Kristin Lewis Haight, M.S.}

_{Executive Director, Kennebunk Historical Society}

_{KHaight@Kporths.com}