Kennebunk Historic District, Historic district in Kennebunk, Maine, US.

Kennebunk Historic District covers much of the village center of Kennebunk, Maine, focused on the former Post Road, now U.S. Route 1, east of the Mousam River, and runs along State Route 35 toward Kennebunk Landing at Durrell's Landing Road. Its oldest houses date to the 1750s and 1760s, among them the Lord Mansion at 20 Summer Street, whose older ell is attached to a Federal-period house built in 1804.

The area began as a maritime center around 1736 and grew into a major shipbuilding community by the late 1700s. Maritime trade brought prosperity that shaped both the economy and the buildings that still stand today.

The district displays numerous houses built by ship captains and maritime merchants, reflecting their wealth and status from the early 1800s. Walking through the streets today, you can see how these seafaring families shaped the community's character and appearance.

The district's core lies along Summer Street (State Route 35) and the old Post Road, now US Route 1, east of the Mousam River; the route runs roughly to Durrell's Landing Road at Kennebunk Landing. Buildings are largely private homes, seen from public roads. The Barnard Tavern, listed as #10 on the 1974 nomination, was taken down in 2023-24, so it is no longer standing.

The 1776 Barnard Tavern, listed as #10 on the district's nomination form, was taken down in 2023-24, so one of the buildings documented when the district was listed in 1974 no longer stands. The district's oldest houses date to the 1750s and 1760s, among them the Lord Mansion at 20 Summer Street, whose older ell is attached to a Federal period section built in 1804.