What Brick Store Museum does

The Brick Store Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community museum founded in 1936 by Edith Cleaves Barry in Kennebunk, Maine, and operated as an independent institution governed by a Board of Trustees under Executive Director Cynthia Walker. It illustrates the local history, art, and cultures of Kennebunk and surrounding communities from a campus of five interconnected 19th-century buildings (1825–1860) on Main Street in the town's Historic District, complemented by the 4 Dane Street Program Center. The collection comprises 55,000+ artifacts and 35,000+ archival materials, with rotating exhibitions in seven galleries changing every 3–4 months; only about 5% of the collection is on view at any time.

The museum's product surface spans rotating exhibitions, the hands-on Learning Gallery, year-round Museum School classes, guided walking and bus tours, the Kennebunk History Explorer digital StoryMap, an archaeology program via the Cape Porpoise Archaeological Alliance, the Bauman Artist-in-Residence program, a working Ham Radio Room (KB1BSM), and the Just History Database documenting BIPOC histories. Technology components are content-oriented rather than proprietary — StoryMaps-based digital tours, oral history archives, the Southern Maine Archaeology Resource database, a multi-platform calendar system, and online exhibits — supported by a six-person paid staff plus a volunteer base valued at nearly $250,000 annually.

Revenue is generated across nine streams: admissions ($5 adult / $2 child, free for under-10 and members), tiered memberships ($40–$120+), guided and specialty tours, a museum store, donations and the 1936 Society legacy program, corporate partnerships ($150–$1,000+), facility rentals, paid archival services, and event fundraising such as the photography contest and tasting dinners. The museum serves a distributed audience of families, members, K-12 educators and students (with free York County Teacher Memberships), adult learners, researchers and genealogists, local artists, corporate sponsors, and regional tourists, reaching 10,000+ visitors and students per year.

Name

Brick Store Museum

Legal name

Brick Store Museum

Website

https://brickstoremuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Brick Store Museum is a nonprofit community museum founded in 1936 in Kennebunk, Maine, operating from five interconnected 19th-century buildings and preserving 55,000+ artifacts on local history, art, and culture. It serves families, members, K-12 educators, researchers, artists, and regional tourists through rotating exhibitions, tours, classes, and digital programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local History Museum

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Historical Sites (71212)

akta.pro primary industry

History Museums (THAJADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Local history museum
• Community museum services
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Educational museum programs
• Historical archives research

Headquarters

HQ city

Kennebunk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission: Entry fees for museum visitors. Standard admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 10-16, free for children under 10 and members.
2. Museum Membership: Annual membership program with multiple tiers (Florence $40, Julia $60, Ida $70, Patron $120+). Membership provides free admission, discounts, and exclusive access to programs and archives.
3. Tours and Programs: Revenue from guided tours and educational programs including Historic District Walking Tours ($15-20), Shipbuilding Odyssey Bus Tours, and special event tickets.
4. Museum Store: Retail sales of books, art, crafts, gifts, prints, maps, and holiday items. Both physical store and online shopping available.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Annual fund appeals, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and planned giving through the 1936 Society legacy program.
6. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Business partnerships ranging from $150-1,000+ annually, including mission partnerships, event sponsorships, exhibition sponsorships, and free admission sponsorships.
7. Facility Rental: Rental of museum facilities for business or personal events, including the Program Center and outdoor spaces.
8. Research and Archival Services: Fees for research assistance beyond complimentary 30-minute sessions, archival image requests, photocopies (15 cents/page), and high-resolution scans ($1/image after first 5 free).
9. Photography Contest: Annual photography contest with free entry, optional donations encouraged.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Brick Store Museum operates a community museum across five interconnected historic buildings on Main Street in Kennebunk, Maine, preserving and interpreting local history, art, and culture through 55,000+ artifacts and 35,000+ archival pieces. It delivers rotating exhibitions, hands-on family learning experiences, guided tours, K-12 educational programs, archival research services, and community events supported by memberships, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

The Brick Store Museum is a community museum founded in 1936, operating as a single unified institution offering multiple interconnected programs and services. The museum's core offerings include rotating exhibitions in six galleries (with exhibitions changing every 3-4 months), the hands-on Learning Gallery for families, the Museum School with year-round classes for children and adults, guided history tours (walking tours, bus tours, and the digital Kennebunk History Explorer via StoryMaps), and access to collections and archives with over 55,000 artifacts. Additional offerings include the Artist in Residence Program, Ham Radio Room, Archaeology Program through the Cape Porpoise Archaeological Alliance, the Just History Database for researching marginalized histories, and the Patsy Bauman Contemporary Gallery for contemporary local artists. The museum also operates a retail Store and offers annual membership with multiple tiers. Special programs include the Gingerbread House Showcase, Photography Contest, and partnerships for events like the Declaration of Independence viewing. Digital offerings include online exhibitions and the Southern Maine Archaeology Resource database.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rotating Exhibitions The museum's primary offering featuring rotating exhibitions illustrating local history, art, and cultures through visual experiences in six galleries, with current exhibitions including 'From Many, One: Results of Revolution' and 'Maine by Hand: Ceramics.' Targeted at museum visitors, families, history enthusiasts, and school groups.
• The Learning Gallery A hands-on, interactive space for young visitors and families to actively engage with exhibits and explore new ideas. Features Montessori-style shelf activities, a reading corner, exploration cabinet with historic toys, and dress-up activities. For families with children.
• Museum School Classes Year-round educational classes and workshops for children and adults, including school early-release programs, multi-session after-school courses, summer camps, and adult arts, crafts, and history exploration workshops. Targeted at school-age children, homeschoolers, and adult learners.
• History Tours Guided walking and bus tours exploring Kennebunk's history, including Historic District Walking Tours, Shipbuilding Odyssey Bus Tours, Twilight Tales cemetery walks, and Imagine That Commerce Tours. Also offers smartphone-based Kennebunk History Explorer via StoryMaps. For history enthusiasts and tourists.
• Collections and Archives Access Public access to 55,000 artifacts and 35,000 archival materials including photographs, diaries, business ledgers, maps, and historical documents. The museum provides research services, archival image requests, and oral history recordings. For academic researchers, genealogists, and historians.
• Educational Programs for Schools Curriculum-based field trips, in-classroom programs, Museum in Your Classroom outreach, Digital Learning Center with online resources, and the Southern Maine Archaeology Resource (SMAR) database for educators and students. Targeted at K-12 teachers and school groups.
• Ham Radio Room (KB1BSM) A working ham radio station (KB1BSM) operated by the Brick Store Museum Radio Club, offering live demonstrations of amateur radio communication and exploring the evolution from telegraph to modern radio technology. For radio enthusiasts and history visitors.
• Artist in Residence Program Annual three-month residency program for local artists to create works reflecting Kennebunk's history and cultures. Artists create a final project added to the museum's collection and lead public programs. Funded by the Bauman Family Foundation. For contemporary artists and craftspeople.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership with multiple tiers (Florence $40, Julia $60, Ida $70, Patron $120+) providing free admission, event invitations, store discounts, research benefits, and NARM access for patron-level members. For individuals, families, and supporters of the museum.
• Museum Store On-site and online retail store featuring handmade local crafts and art, books, gifts, prints, maps, and museum merchandise. Proceeds support museum operations and mission. For museum visitors and online customers.
• Facility Rental for Events Rental of museum facilities including the Program Center at 4 Dane Street and outdoor museum spaces for business events, private gatherings, weddings, and community celebrations. For event planners, businesses, and individuals.
• Archaeology Program The museum is a founding partner of the Cape Porpoise Archaeological Alliance (CPAA), conducting archaeological research and learning in southern Maine. Serves as repository for discovered artifacts and offers public education through the Winter Archaeology Forum. For researchers, students, and the public.
• Kennebunk History Explorer (StoryMaps) Interactive GPS-guided StoryMap tour highlighting the economic evolution, history of industry, and architectural beauty of Kennebunk. Available for use on foot, by car, or remotely via device. For visitors and remote audiences.
• Patsy Bauman Contemporary Gallery

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ visitors and students served annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Cape Porpoise Archaeological Alliance (CPAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Founding partner alongside Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. Archaeological research initiative focusing on islands and intertidal zones off Cape Porpoise Harbor. The museum serves as repository for artifacts discovered during regional archaeological investigations and provides interpretation through exhibitions and education.
• Kennebunkport Conservation Trust (KCT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Co-founder of Cape Porpoise Archaeological Alliance with the Brick Store Museum. Joint initiative for archaeological research and preservation in southern Maine.
• Tim Spahr (Principal Investigator/Archaeologist)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading archaeologist and Principal Investigator for Cape Porpoise Archaeological Alliance. Leads annual Winter Archaeology Forum at the museum.
• Gemma Hudgell (Consulting Archaeologist)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting archaeologist for Cape Porpoise Archaeological Alliance supporting archaeological projects and research.
• Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Association for Amateur Radio. Generous supporter of the museum's Ham Radio Room (KB1BSM) operated by the Brick Store Museum Radio Club.
• Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the museum's Ham Radio Room program and amateur radio education initiatives.
• Maine 250 RevolutionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide initiative celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Content partner for the museum's From Many, One program.
• America250majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization coordinating the commemoration of America's 250th anniversary. Content partner for the museum's year-long theme.
• The StandardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent partner for the From Many, One initiative supporting digital and educational content.
• Maine Humanities CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for annual Discussion Series connecting participants to history through archival documents, letters, diaries, and ledgers.
• Ride MaineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Shipbuilding Odyssey Bus Tour offering monthly guided mini-bus tours to key shipbuilding locations.
• Bill GrabincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead researcher for the Just History Database documenting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color histories. Four years of volunteer research creating this public resource.
• Griffon SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing additional security and parking support during special events.
• Kennebunk Town Historian Kathy Ostrander RobertscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the Just History research project with local historical expertise.
• Kennebunkport Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating organization for Just History Database research and local history documentation.
• Historical Society of Wells and OgunquitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting Just History research across York County communities.
• The Prince ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder Vana Carmona supports Just History Database research through The Prince Project.
• Kennebunk Free LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing research resources for Just History Database and community history projects.
• Wells Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting regional research access for Just History Database.
• Maine Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Just History research and broader Maine history documentation.
• iCivicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree civics education resources shared with educators by museum education team.
• Educating for American DemocracyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInquiry-based history and civics content framework shared with educators as a recommended resource.
• The Wabanaki CollectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuality Wabanaki learning resources for classroom use shared as educator resource.
• Abbe MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine museum dedicated to Wabanaki history providing educator resources and programs shared by BSM.
• Wabanaki REACHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational programs for Maine communities supporting Wabanaki history education.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Strawbery Banke Museum: Outdoor history museum in Portsmouth, NH operating across a 10-acre site with 40+ historic buildings. Comparable multi-building historic campus model with similar year-round programming, volunteer-driven operations, and focus on regional American history.
• Kennebunkport Historical Society: Local historical society operating the First Families Kennebunkport Museum and other historic properties in adjacent Kennebunkport. Directly comparable as a neighboring community history organization serving the same southern Maine tourism market.
• Ogunquit Museum of American Art: Coastal Maine museum focused on American art with a strong seasonal tourism base. Comparable as a small New England museum balancing art and local history programming within a tourism-dependent market.
• Abbe Museum: Maine museum in Bar Harbor dedicated to Wabanaki history and culture, with comparable educational programming, collection of 50,000+ items, and integration with local heritage organizations. Similar scope and operational scale.
• Old York Museum: Community history museum in York, Maine operating across multiple historic buildings. Comparable to Brick Store Museum as a small Maine-based nonprofit history museum with similar collection scope, educational programming, and reliance on local tourism.
• Saco Museum (York Institute Museum): Community museum in Saco, Maine housed in an 1867 Italianate building with collections of local history, art, and maritime artifacts. Comparable as a small-scale Maine community history museum with similar collections focus and educational mission.

Broad incumbents

• Maine Historical Society: Statewide historical organization in Portland operating the Maine History Museum and Brown Research Library. Larger, broader-scope institution with statewide mandate rather than single-community focus, but overlapping collections and research functions.
• Portland Museum of Art: Major regional art museum in Portland, Maine with a broader art collection and significantly larger operating scale. Comparable in serving the same Maine arts and culture ecosystem but as a much larger incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/brickstoremus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BrickStoreMuseum
• Facebookfacebook.com/BrickStoreMuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brick-store-museum
• Instagraminstagram.com/brickstoremuseum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brick Store Museum