The Boothbay Region Historical Society will host a presentation on Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. on the history of the Kenniston Hill Inn and the adjoining country club. Steve Teel, whose family owned the property from 1925 until 1956, and Susan Brackett, who led the recent grassroots effort to preserve the house, will discuss the evolution of the Georgian-style structure which was built circa 1797.

According to local historian Barbara Rumsey, David Kenniston purchased 115 acres of land in 1796 and proceeded to build a house which he established as an inn by 1798. After his death in 1843, his son inherited the property and lived there until his death in 1888, marking the end of the Kenniston family’s ownership of the property. After several interim owners, Walter Clapp bought the land in 1921 to start a golf course and used the house as a clubhouse.

Four years later, in 1925, Howard Teel bought the property and built the log clubhouse. Several generations of the Teel family lived in the main house until it was sold in 1956. Thereafter, it was used as an inn, a B&B or a private residence.

In early summer 2014, word spread that the Kenniston house was to be demolished to accommodate an expansion of the nearby country club. Susan Brackett, co-owner of Boothbay Harbor Framers, found herself at the center of many discussions about the fate of the house and decided to take the lead in seeking ways to save the property. Beginning as a small grassroots effort and eventually becoming a community project involving hundreds, a solution emerged in late November 2014, literally a day or two ahead of the demolition timetable. The structure was successfully moved across Country Club Road and now sits on temporary supports, awaiting its new life as an Elder Care Network facility.

Seating for this presentation is limited and you are encouraged to call the museum at 207-633-0820 to reserve your seat. If leaving a message, please give your name, number of seats desired, and a phone number. Reserved seats will be held until 3:45 p.m. but will then be given to those waiting for seats. The talk is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served after the program.

The BRHS museum is open from Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., year-round and is located at 72 Oak Street in Boothbay Harbor. Our local historian, Barbara Rumsey, is available on Saturdays during regular hours.