Brick Store Museum

Holiday Open House
2023-12-15 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Brick Store Museum, 117 Main Street, Kennebunk, ME, 04043, United States
Come join us to celebrate the season! The Museum is open to the community to visit and enjoy time with friends, family and neighbors. Explore the Candlelight Stroll: A Festival of Traditions, taste holiday treats, purchase last-minute gifts at the Christmas Market, and tour the current exhibitions. Free admission!

Kids Holiday Craft Workshop
2023-12-14 15:30 - 17:00
Holiday crafts that all children will enjoy making. Students will make a smelly ball (oranges , ribbon and cloves ), paint and decorate little wood houses inspired by winter villages and make gingerbread ornaments. This workshop is for students 7-12. Students that attend KES or SRS will be able to take the bus from school directly to the Brick Store Museum.
Instructor: Elizabeth Winter

Jewish History in Maine (Virtual Gathering)
2023-12-13 14:00 - 15:00
Jews have a long history in Maine, with thriving communities across the state. They came to Maine for the same reasons as so many others: to live well and raise their families within the state’s appealing natural and cultural environment. The experiences of Jewish Mainers, however, have also been distinctive on account of their occupational choices and traditions as well as their encounters with antisemitism. How have Jews sought to contribute to Maine’s economic, cultural, and social landscape, and how did they gain widespread acceptance? How have these Mainers sustained their own religion, culture, and ethnic ties while embracing the broader communities to which they belong? How did the challenges and opportunities that Jews faced in Maine change over time, and how do these challenges relate to those faced by Jews in other parts of the country? Join us for an engaging conversation with David Freidenreich to learn more!

About the speaker: Rabbi Dr. David M. Freidenreich is the Pulver Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Colby College, where he serves as chair of the Jewish studies department and associate director of the Center for Small Town Jewish Life. He directs Colby’s Maine Jewish History Project, whose website (web.colby.edu/jewsinmaine) features dozens of essays on the state’s Jewish history, including several he wrote. David’s primary research focuses on Jewish, Christian, and Islamic attitudes toward one another: he is the author of “Foreigners and Their Food: Constructing Otherness in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Law” and, most recently, “Jewish Muslims: How Christians Imagined Islam as the Enemy.”

Donations made to the Brick Store Museum during the Candlelight Stroll: A Festival of Traditions programming (including this) will support the Brick Store Museum’s educational mission with a portion of proceeds donated to support other cultural organizations in southern Maine (see our full Festival of Traditions page for full details!).

Submit your name and email address BELOW to register for the Zoom link. Link will be sent one day prior to the lecture. Please be sure to check your spam filter – Museum emails often end up there! Questions? Email info@brickstoremuseum.org

Donations welcomed HERE>>

Demonstration Station in the Gallery
2023-12-12 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-12-05 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-11-28 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-11-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-11-14 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-11-07 10:00 - 13:00
Join Museum Volunteer Joe M. to learn about basketmaking and origami, or other traditional arts & craft!

The Demonstration Station is here in the galleries every Tuesday* to demonstrate the art of basketmaking and origami for visitors! Stop by the Demonstration Station to learn more and give these creative crafts a try!
The Demonstration Station is typically active from 10am – 1pm. Free with Museum admission (which is FREE on Tuesdays!).

*some Tuesdays will offer unattended activities depending on volunteer availability.

St. Nicholas (Santa!) Visits the Museum
2023-12-10 13:00 - 15:00
Mark your calendars for a visit from St. Nicholas! It’s Santa’s first visit to the Brick Store Museum!

Join us for a fun afternoon at the Brick Store Museum. Kiddos will get a chance to visit with Santa and tell them what is on their list. Feel free to take your own photos and enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies.

Admission is free and a great chance to shop the Museum’s locally-sourced Christmas Market!

Candlelight Stroll & Storytelling
2023-12-09 11:00 - 13:00
Hear the stories of local immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries as told by reenactors at the Museum! Plus, taste the cultural traditions of historic immigrant families in Kennebunk while exploring the pop-up Candlelight Stroll exhibition.
While you’re here, download our Holiday History driving tour map and take a spin around Kennebunk to discover holiday stories linked to locations. Visit our Christmas Market, too!
Included with Museum Admission: $5 for ages 16+

Festival of Traditions: Evening Stroll
2023-12-08 16:00 - 18:00
Taste the cultural traditions of historic immigrant families in Kennebunk while exploring the pop-up Candlelight Stroll exhibition, which tells the stories of many different families who moved to Kennebunk in the 19th and early 20th centuries from around the world.
The Museum is open late until 6pm for shopping, exploring and gift-wrapping!
Included with Museum Admission: $5 for ages 16+

Scandinavian History in Kennebunk (Virtual Gathering)
2023-12-06 14:00 - 15:00
Norwegians and Swedes emigrated to the United States for centuries. At the end of the 19th century, Kennebunk welcomed large populations (comparatively) of peoples from Scandinavia as a result of the downtown Kennebunk mills seeking workers. Join us for an exploration of local Scandinavian history with Town Historian Kathy Ostrander Roberts, to learn more! This is a free, virtual lecture.
Donations made to the Brick Store Museum during the Candlelight Stroll: A Festival of Traditions programming (including this) will support the Brick Store Museum’s educational mission with a portion of proceeds donated to support other cultural organizations in southern Maine (see our full Festival of Traditions page for full details!).
Submit your name and email address BELOW to register for the Zoom link. Link will be sent one day prior to the lecture. Please be sure to check your spam filter – Museum emails often end up there! Questions? Email info@brickstoremuseum.org
Donations welcomed HERE>>

Early Release Student Workshop
2023-12-06 13:00 - 15:00
In this workshop, students will enjoy the act of mark making inspired by artists like Pollock for action captured on canvas. Participants will use different mediums to capture the art of mark making such as paint and drying utensils. This class is intended to be movement based and can get messy, so please have your learner wear appropriate clothes.

SCANDINAVIAN WOVEN WOOD STARS and HEARTS
2023-12-02 10:00 - 12:30
SCANDINAVIAN WOVEN WOOD STARS and HEARTS
December 2 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
This workshop is hands on where each student will learn how to make a woven wood star and a heart from standard basket weaving material. No prior knowledge or experience is required.
$30/$25 Members
Instructor: Joe Mulqueen

Wreath Making Workshop - SOLD OUT
2023-11-29 17:30 - 19:30
Join the Brick Store Museum this holiday season in our second annual wreath making workshop. This will be a workshop dedicated to the creation of all-natural foraged wreaths. All participants will leave with a finished classic green holiday wreath that is adorned with natural locally sourced materials. Workshop will be taught by local artist and wreath maker Elizabeth Winter.

We’re asking all participants bring their own clippers/handheld pruners for this workshop. If you are unable to do so please contact the Brick Store museum prior to class date. All other materials will be provided.

Gather some friends and feel free to bring a beverage of you choice to enjoy while you create. We expect this event to sell out so register quickly.

This is an adult workshop.
November 29, 2023 5:30 – 7:30 pm
$65 per person/$60 museum members

Drawing with Color
2023-11-28 15:30 - 17:00
Instructor: Barbara Farchione
Tuesdays: November 28th, December 5th, December 12th, and December 19th
3:30—5:00 pm
$100
AGES: 7 – 12

Student artists work with many different tools and materials to make art. This class is an introduction to the fundamentals of drawing with color. Students will learn about the color wheel and color mixing and complete several projects. The materials we will use include charcoal and chalk pastel. Projects will be explained clearly and are simple to complete.
All levels of ability are welcome to participate. The only prerequisite is an enthusiasm for art and all materials will be supplied.

**NEW**
Students attending KES or SRS will be brought directly from school to the Brick Store Museum. A staff member will get them off the bus. The Brick Store will provide a snack.

Wreath Making Workshop - SOLD OUT
2023-11-25 14:00 - 16:00
Join the Brick Store Museum this holiday season in our second annual wreath making workshop. This will be a workshop dedicated to the creation of all-natural foraged wreaths. All participants will leave with a finished classic green holiday wreath that is adorned with natural locally sourced materials. Workshop will be taught by local artist and wreath maker Elizabeth Winter.

We’re asking all participants bring their own clippers/handheld pruners for this workshop. If you are unable to do so please contact the Brick Store museum prior to class date. All other materials will be provided.

Gather some friends and feel free to bring a beverage of you choice to enjoy while you create. We expect this event to sell out so register quickly.

This is an adult workshop.
November 25, 2023 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
$65 per person/$60 museum members

Local Illustrator Matt Tavares Visit and Book Signing
2023-11-25 10:00 - 11:30
Meet local author and illustrator Matt Tavares of the popular holiday book Dasher! Matt will be doing a reading from his new book “Dasher Can’t Wait For Christmas” as well as drawing and having a question and answer session and book signing!

This is a FREE event and admission to the museum will also be free this day.

Museum Closed
2023-11-23 - 2023-11-24

Colonial Crafts Pop In
2023-11-22 10:00 - 12:00
Stop by ﻿the Brick Store Museum on November 22 for this free family event. While the kids have off from school stop in and enjoy free admission and take part in some colonial crafts such as making your very own Corn Husk Doll.

Museum Closing at 1:00 pm
2023-11-22

Scandinavian Woven Wood Stars and Hearts
2023-11-21 13:00 - 15:30
This workshop occurs on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, and is hands on where each student will learn how to make a woven wood star and a heart from standard basket weaving material. No prior knowledge or experience is required.
Students should bring a ruler or tape measure, pencil, scissors, hand towel and an apron (optional).
Students will be provided with an instructional handout, weaving materials, clamps and super glue, as well as a selection of ribbon that may be added for hanging the completed star and heart.
Instructor: Joe Mulqueen
Class size: 8 – 10 maximum

Holiday in History: An Afternoon at the 1823 Burleigh Smart House
2023-11-18 15:00 - 17:00
PLEASE REGISTER BY Wednesday, November 15th!
Join the Museum for its first Holiday in History, an afternoon spent inside the historic 1823 Burleigh Smart House on Kennebunk’s Summer Street. Keeping with the 1820s theme, Maine Fiddlers Paul Wells & Sally Wells will be performing 1820s fiddle music inside the house while participants take a tour through the recently remodeled home (by incredible owners Tom Hartfield & Mimi Gurbst). Alongside will be served delicious afternoon sweet & savory bites with a twist of 19th century preparation by chef & historian Bill Irish; plus beverages including cider mimosas.
Timed tickets allow for participants to take their time touring the home and enjoying the beginning of the holiday season together! Please select your arrival time when choosing your tickets.
Welcome all! This event is not necessarily child-oriented, however, multi-generations are welcome to take part.
If you are planning to bring a child(ren) to the event, please purchase a children’s ticket (for each child coming with you, ages 6-16) alongside your own ticket. Following your order, please email us at info@brickstoremuseum.org so we can collect your child(ren)’s name(s) for the guest list.

Event Information for Ticket Holders:
The event is at 21 Summer Street, and is an open-house style event running from 3pm – 5pm (please arrive according to your timed ticket, selected at checkout), with fiddle music, food and festivities to start the holiday season.
Parking:
Parking is available along Park Street, in the Park Street playground lot, on Dane Street, and in the Town Parking lot (all only a short distance from the house). Very limited handicapped parking is allowed in the Homeowner’s Driveway (accessed via Park Street). There will be Museum Staff waiting to assist anyone needing assistance.

Historic District Walking Tour
2023-11-16 10:30 - 11:30, 2023-11-09 10:30 - 11:30
Thursdays at 10:30am (through November 16; or by appointment during shoulder seasons)
NOTE: NO tour offered on Thursday, November 9.
This outdoor walking tour of Kennebunk’s National Register Historic District features 200 years of structures and stories (on one street!), and shares the stories of the people that lived inside the homes. Tours depart from the Museum lobby.
Time: 60 – 90 minutes
Distance: About a mile on sidewalks and flat terrain.
PURCHASE TICKETS >> HERE
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More information:

Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
If the forecast on the day of your walk calls for rain, please contact the Museum in advance to make sure the walk is still scheduled. Email: info@brickstoremuseum.org OR call: (207)985-4802. If the walk is postponed, you will have the choice to reschedule or receive a refund.

Where to go:

This tour begins at the Brick Store Museum. Please arrive about 5 minutes prior to the tour start.
PARKING: Parking is available in front of the Museum; in the town lot (free!) next to the Museum; and along Main Street (also free).

To be notified about this schedule, please join our mailing list.

Historic District Walking Tour
2023-11-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-11-04 12:00 - 13:00
Saturdays at 12:00pm (June 3 – November 18; or by appointment during shoulder seasons)
NOTE: NO TOUR offered on October 28
This outdoor walking tour of Kennebunk’s National Register Historic District features 200 years of structures and stories (on one street!), and shares the stories of the people that lived inside the homes. Tours depart from the Museum lobby.
Time: 60 – 90 minutes
Distance: About a mile on sidewalks and flat terrain.
PURCHASE TICKETS >> HERE
+
More information:

Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
If the forecast on the day of your walk calls for rain, please contact the Museum in advance to make sure the walk is still scheduled. Email: info@brickstoremuseum.org OR call: (207)985-4802. If the walk is postponed, you will have the choice to reschedule or receive a refund.

Where to go:

This tour begins at the Brick Store Museum. Please arrive about 5 minutes prior to the tour start.
PARKING: Parking is available in front of the Museum; in the town lot (free!) next to the Museum; and along Main Street (also free).

To be notified about this schedule, please join our mailing list.

Museum CLOSED for Training
2023-11-08 - 2023-11-10
The Museum will be CLOSED to allow staff to attend the New England Museum Association regional conference from Wednesday, November 8th through Friday, November 10. Thank you for your understanding.

Imagine That! Kennebunk Commerce History Tour
2023-11-07 10:30 - 11:30
Offered weekly:
Tuesdays at 10:30am (through November 7; or by appointment during shoulder seasons)
This outdoor walking tour of Kennebunk’s Main Street features three centuries of commercial history. Start at the Brick Store Museum (itself part of the town’s commercial history!) and explore the history of commerce and trade that occurred on Main Street over the past 300 years. Tour ends at the Lafayette Mill at Storer Street (visitors can return to the Museum or support local shops downtown!).
Time: 60 – 90 minutes
Distance: About half a mile on sidewalks.
>> RESERVE TICKETS HERE >>
+
More information:
Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
If the forecast on the day of your walk calls for rain, please contact the Museum in advance to make sure the walk is still scheduled. Email: info@brickstoremuseum.org OR call: (207)985-4802. If the walk is postponed, you will have the choice to reschedule or receive a refund.
Where to go:
This tour begins at the Brick Store Museum. Please arrive about 5 minutes prior to the tour start.
PARKING: Parking is available in front of the Museum; in the town lot (free!) next to the Museum; and along Main Street (also free).
To be notified about this schedule, please join our mailing list.
