Kennebunkport’s “White Columns”
The Richard A Nott House aka “White Columns” 8 Maine Street
Kennebunkport Historic House Tour
Known as White Columns, this Greek revival home was built in 1853 by Eliphalet Perkins, a wealthy Kennebunkport merchant. Eliphalet sold the house to his only son, Charles, as a “wedding present” for five thousand dollars. Charles Perkins, the most eligible bachelor in town, married Celia Nott, the girl next door and eldest daughter of the Baptist minister.
During the mid-to late 1800s, Charles and Celia Perkins raised their family in White Columns while filling it with fine furniture, art, and books collected during their frequent travels abroad. White Columns was passed down through Celia’s family (the Notts) and in 1982 was gifted to the Kennebunkport Historical Society.
When Kennebunkport Historical Society took possession of White Columns, much of the house had been closed off and had remained unused for nearly 100 years, leaving its interior as it originally looked in the 1800s.The Society inherited journals and diaries that illustrate the triumphs and tragedies of the generations of Perkins and Nott families who lived in White Columns. Public docent-led tours of the house tell the story of the Perkins-Nott family and the sea faring and ship building history of Kennebunkport, as well as offer insight into the art and furniture reflective of the period.
Daily tours are offered from Memorial Day through October. Open during Christmas Prelude.
Kennebunkport’s Bush Family Legacy- A White Columns Exhibit (formerly known as “First Families”)
Over the years, following the Presidency of George H.W. Bush, whose family have been life-long summer residents of Kennebunkport, President and Mrs. Barbara Bush showed their loyal support of the Kennebunkport Historical Society and love of Kennebunkport history by donating family memorabilia and Presidential mementos to help draw attention to White Columns. In honor of those contributions, one room in White Columns is now called The Bush Family Gallery as it contains an exhibit of letters, photographs, and personal items that reflect the Bush family’s fondness for the town, as well as their legacy of public service of which Kennebunkport Historical Society is extraordinarily proud. Tours of White Columns conclude in the Bush Family Gallery; however, visitors can also avail themselves, through a separate paid admission, of self-guided tours of the Gallery.
The Kennebunkport Historical Society maintains White Columns through the revenue from house tours, memberships, gift shop sales, the hard work of our volunteers, and donations.
For more information about the Kennebunkport Historical Society, tour schedule, and special events, Please visit: KPortHS.com
Find more on Walkers’ Point – summer home to the Bush family.
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