U.S. Customhouse - Kennebunkport, ME
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 43° 21.705 W 070° 28.482
19T E 380506 N 4802043
Built in 1813 as a bank, this building became the U.S. Customs house in 1831, then eventually the public library in 1920.
Waymark Code: WM1GCC
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 05/03/2007
Views: 37
The Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library
1813 Original red brick building built as the Kennebunk
Bank in Arundel.
1815 Customs District installed on second floor.
1831 Bank's charter revoked, property purchased by
US government for use as a Customs House.
1894 Kennebunkport Free Library founded by Mrs. Anne
Talbot. She donated books, bookcases, hired librarian.
1898 Library moved to second floor of Customs House.
1913 Customs District eliminated. Building leased by
government to Mrs. Talbot as a library.
1916 Kennebunkport Public Library Association formed,
absorbing Mrs. Talbot's library. Books, goods and
services donated by townspeople and community.
1920 Property purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Abbott Graves.
Room added to rear of building.
1921 Property deeded to Library Association by the Graves
on condition Library be named for their deceased son
Louis T. Graves.
1930 Children's Department with storybook murals by
Louis Norton opened on second floor.
1956 Second rear room added with gift from Dean
Chester Emerson.
1974 Library building named to the National Register
of Historic Places.
1988 Renovation and expansion included handicapped access,
a work room, a young adult room and a meeting room.
1998 Perkins House purchased
1999 Open House for Perkins House.
Library circulation automated/catalogue online.
Street address:
18 Maine Street
P.O. Box 391
Kennebunkport, ME United States
04046
County / Borough / Parish: York County
Year listed: 1974
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Periods of significance: 1800-1824
Historic function: Commerce/Trade, Education, Government
Current function: Education
Privately owned?: yes
Hours of operation: From: 11:00 AM To: 7:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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