Welcome to 2009 and what we hope will be an auspicious new year for the museum. Like so many institutions, the Museum in 2008 was not immune to the effects of high fuel costs and the global economic downturn. And yet there were still many high points for which we were thankful and that nonetheless made 2008 very much a year to remember.  Here are just a few:

• Combined visitation & outreach totals increased 2.2% for a new five-year high (and were up 17.2% since 2004!)
• Visitors came from 47 states and 12 foreign countries
• More than 80 volunteers gave a combined total of over 3,480 hours of their time and expertise
• The Museum planned a total of nearly 40 special events, public programs, and exhibitions
• There were more than 160 appearances about museum activities run in 31 different media outlets
• Finding aids for more than 80 archival collections were added to the Museum's online offerings
• The Connecting Generations Capital Campaign concluded with $1.33 million raised for endowment and capital improvements
• The museum's redesigned website won 3rd place in the New England Museum Association design competition
• The Museum was honored as the 2008 Non-Profit Business of the Year by the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce

Nothing says progress like all the work crews, trucks and equipment at the Museum these days.

We're pleased to have DeStefano & Associates on board managing the construction efforts, from sills to rooftops (see blue sidebar at right).  Much exterior work has already been accomplished with much on the interior yet to come, like dampproofing basements, fixing sills, and reinforcing framing.  Thanks to some very creative thinking and phasing of the work, we'll be OPEN throughout the entire renovation process, though understandably, some portions of buildings will be off limits at various times. When it's all done later this spring, we'll have structurally sound buildings, dry basements, greater capacity for historical collections, and more! Come share in our excitement as we build a better future for preserving our past.