KHS News

Whalebone vertebrae used as landscaping in Cape Porpoise since c. 1900, stolen last weekend.

I always assumed these whale jawbone begonia bed and the whale rib and vertebrae arbor were conceived when some poor departed whale washed ashore at Cape Porpoise in the 1920s but a few years ago I found a picture of Herbert Allen showing them off in the 1902 Midsummer Edition of The Wave. In the picture, the vine growing on the arbor was already quite mature, reaching just about to the top. The Allen’s lot was one of the first cottage lots sold by the Cape Porpoise Land Company in 1898 so the whalebones have been there almost as long...

Calling all Local Veterans and Citizens who remember WW2 in the Kennebunks. Kennebunkport Historical Society partners with RSU21 for upcoming Veteran’s Day Oral History: 

Kennebunk, ME November 8, 2022 at RSU21 middle school, the Kennebunkport Historical Society will collaborate with local students for a special oral history project featuring local Veterans as well as elders who may remember what life was like in the Kennebunks during WW2. Each “block” of the day will require volunteer participants to answer questions prepared by students. American history is the focus of the eighth-grade curriculum, so this celebration of our local veterans and citizens will be a unique opportunity for students to have a personal encounter with the stories of history, rather than the textbook version. The earliest...

Gifts We Can Barely Carry – Songs from John F. Kennedy’s Trip to Ireland

Kennebunkport Historical Society Presents: Gifts We Can Barely Carry – Songs fromJohn F. Kennedy’s Trip to Ireland Kennebunkport: The Kennebunkport Historical Society is pleased to present a live concert with film written and performed by Irish musician Kevin Farley of York, Maine. Gifts We Can Barely Carry: Songs from JFK’s Ireland Trip is scheduled for two performances on Wednesday, November 9 at 7PM and Sunday, November 13 at 1PM at the Town House School located at 135 North Street, Kennebunkport, Maine. Tickets are $15 for members / $18 for non-members and available by clicking HERE. Throughout this lively and informative...

Beloved Local Artist, Frank Handlen, Celebrates 105th Birthday with the Kennebunkport Historical Society

Sculptor, Artist, Shipwright, and community friend, Frank Handlen is turning 105 years old at the end of September and the Kennebunkport Historical Society is honoring his commitment to our community with a lecture followed by an open house reception and fundraising auction at the Townhouse School. On Friday, October 1, 2021, former Society President and long-time stakeholder, Peter Whalen, will honor Frank Handlen with a lecture about his life, his work, and his long-time commitment to the Kennebunkport community. The Society will flank the schoolhouse with its collection of Frank Handlen original pieces as an exhibit. Frank has generously offered...

2021 Annual Meeting

Dear Kennebunkport Historical Society Members, Please mark your calendars for the Society’s Annual meeting 2021: Wednesday, October 6, 2021 135 North St. Kennebunkport, ME 04046 6:00 PM All participants must wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. A postcard invitation has been mailed to all up-to-date members. Our email list includes members whose memberships may have lapsed. If you are wondering if your membership is up to date, please give us a call at the office. We are in the process of switching over database systems and want to make certain that our records are pristine so kindly let us...