Found on Main Street near its intersection with Union Street, the U.S. Customs House is currently known as the Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library. The Federal-style two-story brick building is rectangular in shape and has a low-pitched hipped roof. It sits on a granite foundation and has arched window and door openings. Originally built by the Kennebunk Bank of Arundel, the first floor housed the bank and beginning in 1815 the second floor held offices for U.S. customs agents. When the bank folded in 1831 the federal government purchased the building the following year to serve as a Customs House. The customs district of Kennebunk was established in 1800 with jurisdiction over Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Wells. In 1812 the district processed 8,552 tons of cargo and collected $119,850. By 1850, with maritime trade booming, the district collected over $1 million on imports from the West Indies alone. Interestingly, the collector of customs did not receive a regular salary at that time, but instead received 2 percent of customs and vessel fees. In 1913 the District of Kennebunk was merged into the District of Portland. In 1916 the Kennebunk Library Association moved into the building and subsequently bought it in 1921.
Year Listed: 1973
For More Information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=81dd91b2-5d8a-4412-952a-aa568cabc906