Books

Item Description

Estimated Value: $150
Item Number: 191
Item Description:Just add a bow! This gift basket is perfect for anyone but especially book lovers. All packed up in a high end Peterboro Basket Company basket. 

The red brick building on Maine Street in Kennebunkport, known to generations of families as the Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, was built in 1813 as the Kennebunk Bank in Arundel. In 1821 the town name was changed to Kennebunkport to reflect its growing status as a shipbuilding center on the Kennebunk River.

In 1831 the U.S. Government purchased the building to use as a Customs House. In 1898 the Kennebunkport Free Library, an organization founded by Mrs. Anne Talbot four years before, moved to the second floor.

In 1916 the Kennebunkport Public Library Association was formed, absorbing Mrs. Talbot’s library. Four years later, Mr. and Mrs. Abbott Graves purchased the property at auction for $1,350. In 1921, the Graves family deeded the property to the Library Association on the condition that the Library be named in memory of their deceased son Louis T. Graves who valued books all his life.

Their gift remains one of the most enduring and significant contributions to the town of Kennebunkport. Today visitors find not only an outstanding collection of books and multimedia services, they can also view significant historical artifacts and artwork, ranging from paintings by Abbott Graves, half hull models of ships built on the Kennebunk River, to the original bank vault which holds a portion of the Library’s magazine collection.

All residents and visitors are welcome to our beautiful and historic Library.   Our Mission is to act as a cultural and intellectual commons by providing free and unfettered access to knowledge and life-long learning through print, electronic resources, activities, programs, and services. The Library collaborates with others to meet the needs of the entire community for education, information, recreation, and communication.

For more information: https://graveslibrary.org/

 
Special Notes:Winning bidders must pick up their items at the Chamber (16 Water St., Kennebunk) on the following days: 11/29 and 11/30. Hours for pick up are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. If these dates are not amenable, please call the Chamber to schedule a pick up time (207) 967-0857. All items must be picked up or arrangements made by Dec. 1.

Need your item shipped? Please contact the Chamber on or after 11/29 and we will calculate shipping costs for you.