Things to do nearBrick Store Museum
The Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk, Maine, is a beloved local institution celebrated for its maritime heritage, decorative arts, and rotating exhibitions.
Founded in 1936, the Brick Store Museum occupies a row of carefully preserved early 19th-century commercial buildings on Main Street in Kennebunk, Maine. The museum takes its name from the 1825 dry-goods store built by William Lord, a prosperous merchant whose family fortune was tied to the region's thriving shipbuilding and maritime trade.
The permanent collection spans several centuries of local history, with particular strength in decorative arts, Federal-period furniture, ship portraits, and the clothing and textiles worn by Kennebunk's seafaring families. Rotating galleries bring fresh perspectives each season, drawing on both the museum's own holdings and loans from private collectors. Visitors can also access a dedicated research library and archive, a valuable resource for anyone tracing family roots or studying southern Maine's architectural and social history.
The museum regularly offers historical tours of the surrounding district, connecting the streetscape of Kennebunk to the stories preserved inside its walls. Those who want to explore further will find the broader Kennebunk area rich with Federal-era homes and scenic coastal landscapes. The Brick Store Museum is a rewarding stop for anyone who wants to understand the deep roots of this corner of coastal Maine.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Brick Store Museum
Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest experience and the most attentive access to staff who can point you toward highlights in the collection.
Check the museum calendar before you go, as rotating exhibitions change seasonally and often feature newly acquired works or focused local history themes.
Bring a notebook if you plan to use the research library, which holds genealogical records and historic photographs of the Kennebunks region.
Pair your visit with a walk along Kennebunk's Lower Village to see the Federal and Greek Revival architecture that the museum's collection so vividly documents.
Ask about the museum's walking tour maps, which guide you through the historic district and connect the streetscape to the stories inside the galleries.
Top tours & experiences near Brick Store Museum
Floating Sauna Session in Kennebunkport
Relax in a floating Scandinavian wood-fired sauna on the Kennebunk River
Sail Saco Bay on a 4-Hour Cruise
Sail longer and see more of Saco Bay on a half-day trip
Lobstering & Scenic Cruise in Biddeford
Private lobstering and scenic cruise for up to 6 on Saco Bay