There are lots of reasons to visit Maine. Beautiful coast, lakes and rivers, incredible food and some of the most fascinating history in all of New England. If you're planning a trip (or even if you live here and need to get away!) consider mixing some fun with education by staying at the oldest, continually operating Inn in Maine. The Seaside Inn, located in Kennebunk, has been in operation since the 1600s and it continues to be a wonderful place to enjoy the the state.
The Seaside Inn Innkeepers, Trish and Ken Mason, are the only 9th Generation Innkeepers in America!
Family history of innkeeping at Seaside goes back to 1756 through Trish’s family. To put that into perspective, nine generations means that her great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was the first innkpeer. His name was Jedidiah Gooch and he purchased the inn from a cousin.
While the Seaside Inn is suspected to have been in existence for slightly longer, the first record of it occupying the land it currently sits on is 1660.
This is when local ferrymen were asked to live on the oceanfront peninsula at the mouth of the Kennebunk River to ferry travelers across.
Let’s go back a little further!
John Gooch was sent by an agent of King Charles II to help settle Maine as a colony. He arrived here in 1637 and is Trish’s 9th great-grandfather, which actually makes Trish a 12th Generation Mainer! John established the family as important figures in the region that later become known as the Kennebunks.
At that time, inns were typically passed down to first-born sons.
But, four generations ago, Seaside was passed to a daughter causing the name to change from Gooch. The name changed again when Trish’s grandmother came into ownership of the property.
This photo above is of the family and staff of the Inn in the late 1800s, when it was known as The Seaside House.
Helen Bell Gooch in front of The Seaside House in 1893.
According to the Inn’s website, Trish came to understand the depth of her family’s roots in Kennebunk while reading “Arundel” by Kenneth Roberts in high school.
Several of the characters, as well as her family’s land, were included!
Because so much of her childhood was spent involved with the inn, it was a no-brainer when her parents approached she and Ken to see if they’d be open to becoming the new Innkeepers once her parents retired. Her family’s legacy meant that, despite the hard work necessary, they were eager to take on the role.
The Kennebunk mainstay is one of the most loved properties in the area.
The grounds are gorgeous, covered in flowers and with plenty of grassy areas.
And, of course, the most wonderful beachfront location means easy access!
Today, much of the property has been made more contemporary.
One of the best new additions is the cottage.
The stats on the Inn are impressive as well! According to their website, the Seaside Inn:
...has been an Inn since 1660, at least, and is the oldest Inn in America, to their knowledge. It is the oldest Inn in Maine & New England, if the above is true! It is the oldest family-run Inn in America. It Is the fifth-oldest family-run business in America. And, it is the forty-sixth oldest family-run business in the World!
Trish has written a book on this history of The Seaside Inn, which you can find by clicking here. The Inn is located at 80 Beach Avenue in Kennebunk Beach. You can find them online by clicking here or call them on 207-967-4461 / 1-800-967-4461.
Looking for more great places to stay in Maine? Check out this list of some of our favorite B&Bs in the state.
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