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.

For a more detailed history, see articles
by Joyce Butler in the vertical file at the Library