Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude

Kennebunkport historical society

Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude

The Kennebunkport Historical Society thanks and recognizes the following sponsors: 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Kennebunkport Historical Society exists to protect, preserve, and present the unique history of Kennebunkport, Maine.

The vision of the Board of Directors is to continue to care for our vast collection, share stories, offer resources and education, and provide volunteer opportunities for community members and visitors.

Your Support is Essential to our Mission!

GOLD: $1,000

  • Logo/Name on social and event invitations, all flyers, website and posters
  • Shout out during Gala
  • Dedicated social media post for sponsorship
  • Booth opportunities
  • 4 tickets to Christmas Gala
  • KHS Membership
  • Advanced ticket sales for all Prelude Events
  • Private Use of Town House School in 2024

SILVER: $500

  • Logo/name on social and event invitations, all flyers, website and posters
  • Booth opportunities
  • 2 tickets to Christmas Gala
  • KHS Membership
  • Advanced ticket sales for all Prelude Events

BRONZE: $250

  • Logo/Name on social and event invitations, all flyers, website and posters
  • 2 tickets to Christmas Gala
  • Advanced ticket sales for all Prelude Events

  • 30,000 visitors annually
  • Social media
  • Email recipients
  • Concerts
  • Tours
  • Lectures
  • Tea & Tales Events
  • Quarterly Newsletter
  • Building History Demonstrations & Workshops
  • Membership
  • Event-specific advertising
  • Events
  • Educational outreach
  • Website
  • Silent Auction & Raffle

The Kennebunkport Historical Society is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. sponsorship is tax-deductible.

OUR MISSION IN ACTION

The mission of the Kennebunkport Historical Society is to protect, preserve, and share the unique history of Kennebunkport, Maine.

The Kennebunkport Historical Society is a non-profit, member-supported organization. The Society was founded in 1952 to preserve, protect and present Kennebunkport’s social, cultural and architectural history. It has continued this scholarly tradition for more than 60 years and has greatly expanded its scope and outreach during this time.  The Society stewards multiple period buildings, an extensive clothing collection, and archives that include artifacts, photographs, books, and artwork; all of which are open to the public and available for research. We continue to honor the mission of the Society, with the goal of making its collections more accessible, more relevant, and more connected to our day-to-day lives.

Volunteering is not about the value of doing something for free; it’s about the FREEDOM to do something of VALUE! 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Prelude Gala at White Columns

WHEN: Thursday, November 30th from 6pm-9pm

WHERE: White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT)

ABOUT: Get ready to step back in time and experience the charm and elegance of the Victorian era.

Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season as you mingle with fellow guests, enjoy live music, indulge in delectable treats, and sip on festive beverages that will warm your heart, and win valued prizes in the silent auction!

Join us for an unforgettable night of merriment and make this holiday season truly special. We can’t wait to welcome you to this charming celebration!

TICKETS: $75 for non-members, $60 for members.

WHEN: December 1 – 10

WHERE: White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT)

ABOUT: Built in 1853, White Columns is one of the Kennebunkport Historical Society’s premier properties. Owned and loved by the same family for 130 years, the Victorian-era home has retained its old-world charm and still contains the home’s original furnishings. Step back in time by taking a guided tour. Docents will lead you through seven rooms of the stately home and share stories about three generations of the Perkins-Nott family that lived, loved and lost in this magnificent Greek revival mansion. The tour includes history of Kennebunkport, its shipbuilding and maritime traditions, and the intriguing story of the family that inhabited the home.

TICKETS: $15 per person. Tickets sold in the White Columns gift shop. First Come, first serve.

WHEN: December 1, 2, 8, & 9 from 4pm-8pm.

WHERE: White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT)

ABOUT: Join us for an enchanting evening at White Columns, where history comes alive amidst the flickering glow of candlelight. Wander through the beautifully decorated rooms, adorned with festive holiday decorations, as you listen to captivating stories from the past.

TICKETS: $20 Per Person. Tickets sold in advance. Click below to see full tour schedule and tickets.

WHEN: December 1, 2, 3, 8, & 9 from 1pm-3pm.

WHERE: White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT)

ABOUT: Explore the charm of Kennebunkport’s history on our lively walking tours during the town’s Christas Prelude Event!

Experience the history of Kennebunkport’s Dock Square. Enjoy a guided tour filled with the social, cultural, and architectural stories of the people who lived here. This 45-minute to 1-hour tour cover approximately 3/4 miles on uneven sidewalks with slight elevation. Please be mindful of this before reserving the tour. On our walking tour, guests get a first-hand look at the homes and streets of historic Kennebunkport. The narrative covers the architecture of the homes and stories of the families who built them.

TICKETS: $20 per person. Tickets sold in advance. Click below to see full tour schedule and tickets.

WHEN: December 1st from 10am-4pm

WHERE: Under the heated tent at White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT)

ABOUT: Join the Kennebunkport Historical Society’s for our very first annual Maine Made Artisan Craft Show! Get ready to immerse yourself in a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship!

Free to the General Public. We can’t wait to see you there!

WHEN: December 1st from 6pm-9pm

WHERE: Under the Heated Tent at White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT)

ABOUT: Join us for a night filled with festive cheer at our Christmas Prelude Karaoke Night! Get ready to sing your heart out and spread the holiday spirit with your favorite Christmas tunes. Whether you’re a seasoned karaoke pro or just love to sing along, this event is perfect for everyone.

TICKETS: $10 per person. Tickets sold in advance. Adult beverages & snacks available for sale.

WHEN: December 2nd from 10am-4pm and December 9th from 1pm-3pm

WHERE: Under the Heated Tent at White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT) on December 2nd. At the Town House School (135 North Street in KPT) on December 9th.

ABOUT: Get into the festive spirit and unleash your creativity as you decorate delicious cookies alongside Mrs. Claus herself! Ticket price of $15 is for one person (5 cookies and cookie boxes).

Bring your family and friends and enjoy a morning of laughter, holiday music, and sweet treats. Mrs. Claus will guide you through various decorating techniques, providing tips and tricks along the way, and read Christmas stories! You’ll have the chance to create your own edible masterpieces using an array of colorful icings, sprinkles, and other festive decorations.

TICKETS: $15 per person. Tickets sold in advance. Tickets sold in 30 minute time slots.

WHEN: December 3rd from 1pm-4pm

WHERE: Under the Heated Tent at White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT)

ABOUT: Join Wallingford Farms for decorations workshops with live materials. Kissing balls, wreaths, table decorations, and more! Workshops are free to the public. Items will be for sale.

WHEN: December 6th at 4:30pm

WHERE: White Columns (8 Maine St. in Kennebunkport)

ABOUT: Be a part of the candlelight procession that follows Mary and Joseph as they seek shelter, only to be turned away and finally shown to a manger. A short concert and carols will be sung, followed by hot chocolate and cookies. The procession begins on the side lawn of White Columns, then on to the Kennebunkport Inn, ending at South Congregational Church.

WHEN: December 6th at 5pm and December 10th at 1pm

WHERE: The Town House School (135 North St. in Kennebunkport)

ABOUT: It’s that time of year, when the world falls in love…with Christmas music. To meet that need, pianist Mark Gunter, bassist John Kumnick, and guitarist Dana Pearson get together at the Town House School to present their third annual Christmas Show. In the past, they’ve mixed religious songs (“O Holy Night”) with secular ones (“Santa Claus is Back in Town”); expect a similar assortment of yuletide classics this year.

TICKETS: $18 for Non-Members and $15 for Members. Tickets sold in advance. Evening show is 21&Up (BYOB)

WHEN: December 7th at 7pm

WHERE: The Town House School (135 North St. in Kennebunkport)

ABOUT: Join us for a fun and creative evening of wreath making! Get into the festive spirit and unleash your inner artist as we guide you through the process of creating beautiful wreaths. This event is the perfect opportunity to relax, socialize, and tap into your creativity.

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a beginner, this event is suitable for everyone. We’ll provide all the necessary materials, including a variety of foliage, ribbons, and embellishments. Our experienced instructors will be there to offer guidance and share tips and tricks to help you create a wreath that will impress.

Reservations are required by December 6th, 2023.

TICKETS: $50 per person. Tickets sold in advance. This event is 21&Up (BYOB).

WHEN: December 9th at 7pm

WHERE: The Town House School (135 North St. in Kennebunkport)

ABOUT: With a suitcase of songs, Maine folk troubadour Dan Blakeslee ventured into the subways of Boston in 1995 to practice his craft. He has been making music and art throughout New England ever since, leading him to tour the U.S. performing with Langhorne Slim, The Low Anthem, David Wax Museum, Lydia Loveless, The Lumineers, Old 97′s, Brown Bird, Josh Ritter, Death Vessel and Kimya Dawson among others. In 2015 his dream of playing Newport Folk Festival became a reality, where Bob Dylan went electric 50 years earlier. Blakeslee’s band The Calabash Club formed in 2008 and released their third album together “Christmasland Jubilee” a rollicking, jubilant Christmas album on December 1, 2020. Blakeslee is unafraid to bare his very soul on stage, emptying a loaded cache of emotion and passion onto the stage for all to witness, explore and devour.

TICKETS: $18 for Non-Members and $15 for Members. This event is 21&Up (BYOB).

WHEN: December 10th from 1pm-4pm

WHERE: White Columns (8 Maine Street in KPT)