The effort to save the Kenniston Hill Inn from demolition is off to a good start. The plan to raise funds by general appeal to give the structure a new home at the Railway Village has also inspired a very generous offer.

Susan Brackett, the mainspring of the effort, said, "Chris and Kem Roth are happy to support the effort to preserve the Kenniston Hill Inn. Kem is a Kenniston descendant and a lifelong summer resident. To help save the house, she and her husband have pledged to match donations up to $25,000. They hope that the community will band together to save and restore this wonderful historic landmark."

"David Kenniston, who moved to Boothbay from Jefferson in 1796, built the house in 1797 and opened it as an inn by 1798,” Local historian Barbara Rumsey said. “David quickly became a leading citizen. During his life, he cared for many of the town's tangible assets in the immediate area, such as the pound, graveyard, meetinghouse, town barn and town land, including the Common, which he hayed. No doubt the hay was much appreciated by his cattle."

Brackett would like to thank all those individuals, businesses and artists who have already contributed or pledged there support of the effort.

“I am very optimistic that our community will make this happen,” she said.

Information on a fundraising event associated with the art work that is being donated will appear soon.

Those interested in saving the building and helping with the move are urged to send a tax-deductible check made out to the: BCA, Move Kenniston Hill Inn Account, c/o Deb Todte P.O. Box 375. Boothbay, ME 04537

Contributions may also be dropped off at Boothbay Harbor Framers Gallery in The Meadow Mall. 

Please contact Susan Brackett at 207-633-3966 with questions or a pledge amount. Checks will not be cashed unless sufficient funds are raised to cover the move.

If the fundraising effort falls short all checks and funds will be returned, but if the goal is met for the move, fundraising will continue to raise the funds needed for restoration and long term maintenance of the Kenniston house.