Kennebunk in York County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
The Wedding Cake House
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La maison du 'Gâteau de Mariage'
Kennebunk, Maine
| — | The Museum in the Streets | — |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2021
1. The Wedding Cake House / La maison du 'Gâteau de Mariage' Marker
Originally this Federal style, brick home was undadorned when built by George Washington Bourne in 1826. The main structure is brick. Following a fire in 1852 which destroyed the original barn, Bourne decided to rebuild it. He added the decorative embellishments which were inpired by those on Italy's Milan Cathedral. He and his carenter's apprentice, Thomas Durrell, designed and carved all of the wooden trim that decorates this home. The name "Wedding Cake House" was invented by a postcard maker in the early 1900s and came with a fanciful tail aobut a ship's captain sailing before he was able to cut his wedding cake, which was totally fictitious.... but sold many postcards. Information about all of the homes in Kennebunk's Historic District may be found at the Brick Store Museum.
this page online
Erected by The Museum in the Streets. (Marker Number 19.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately, and the The Museum in the Streets: Kennebunk, Maine series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.
Location. 43° 22.883′ N, 70° 31.025′ W. Marker is in Kennebunk, Maine, in York County. It is on Summer Street (Route 9A/35) just east of Gilpatrick Shiphard Lane, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 Summer St, Kennebunk ME 04043,
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2021
2. The Wedding Cake House / La maison du 'Gâteau de Mariage' Marker
Regionally, this marker is on Southern Maine Coast. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Landing / The Landing (le quai) (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hugh McCulloch Home / La demeure Hugh McCulloch (approx. half a mile away); The McCulloch House (approx. half a mile away); The George Wise Home / La demeure George Wise (approx. half a mile away); The James Hubbard Home / La demeure James Hubbard (approx. 0.6 miles away); Boston & Maine R.R. Depot / La gare du Boston & Maine (approx. 0.6 miles away); Zion's Hill / Zion's Hill (La Colline Dorée) (approx. 0.9 miles away); Park Street School / L'École Secondaire de Park Street (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennebunk.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 350 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
