The former Kenniston Hill Inn, now Kenniston Hill House, is returning to its purpose of 229 years ago. Constructed by Revolutionary War veteran David Kenniston in 1797, the building began as a private home, and now the 2,000 square foot, four-bedroom, three-bath is up for sale again.

In 2014, it was saved from demolition stemming from impending construction at the golf course next door. Thanks to thousands of dollars in local donations, the building was separated from its six-bedroom addition and placed on a new foundation in its current location on Boothbay Green, where it sat untouched until 2025. 

As reported in the Register, J. D. Barnes Properties LLC sold the property to Patrice Cappelletti of Vintage Maine Homes in late February 2025. Cappelletti’s work has been featured on Magnolia Network and in Downeast Magazine and Fine Homebuilding, among others. 

The acquisition was largely the brainchild of Teelgreen Energy owner Steve Teel, a longtime collaborator of Cappelletti’s. Teel’s personal history is intertwined with the Kenniston’s. His family owned the building for about 30 years, beginning with a 1922 purchase by his great-grandfather, Howard Teel. 

Steve Teel went on to be the site manager when the 10-ton building was moved, eight tons of which were due to the six original fireplaces, he said. In January 2025, Teel wrote the Register to share his hopes for the house’s preservation, which was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting sale of the property by Lincoln County Elder Network.

That’s when he had the idea of contacting Cappelletti.

Teel recalled, "She set foot in the (Kenniston’s) door at 11 o'clock on a Saturday morning, (and) at 10 past, she said, ‘I'm in as long as you work alongside me.’ And that’s that.” 

Cappelletti added, “I loved antiques my whole life, so to buy an antique house and to collaborate with someone that I already know in such a storied community ... (The) community has such soul and such depth.” 

The "beautiful location" in the town's hub was also part of the appeal, she said.

The pair have been busy since then. Renovations have included building out the back of the house where it was separated to create a mud room and patio, finishing the basement, replacing windows, insulating the attic, replacing roof boards and shingles damaged from a prolonged leak, taking out the suspended ceiling to show off the timber frame and having a local mason rebuild the top of the chimney. Sewer and water have also been added. 

“We're going to preserve as much of the historic architectural pieces that we can,” said Cappelletti. While the keystone is the home’s six fireplaces, the pair have also retained the front door, cabinetry, the timber framings and original window trimmings. The historical theme continues with the heritage color used on the exterior and the furnishings.  

“(It’s going to be) fully modernized with an old soul,” said Teel. 

The project is still a work-in-progress, but the home is available to buy. Cappelletti said the vision is to have a buyer before construction is complete, so the new owner can add specifications to the build.   

“The future owner of this house probably already knows it. They love this town. They've been coming for generations, potentially,” said Teel. 

Renovations are estimated to be completed by April.