The Wedding Cake House: A Unique Building's Location

The Wedding Cake House, formerly known as the George W. Bourne House, is a historic house located at 104 Summer Street in Kennebunk, Maine. The house was built in 1825 by shipbuilder George W. Bourne and features ornate decorations that resemble icing on a wedding cake. The house has been called the most photographed house in Maine and is currently owned by Barker's nephew Hunt Edwards and niece Lela Cason, who are in the process of restoring it.

The Wedding Cake House is in Kennebunk, Maine

The house features ornate decorations that resemble icing, or tiers that get smaller as the house rises. Its ornate white trim against a yellow background makes it a favourite of photographers. The house has been called the "most photographed house in the state of Maine.

The house has been owned by several people over the years, including Mary Burnett, who purchased it in 1983, and James Hunt Barker, who bought it in 1998. Barker opened the house to the public twice to raise funds for charity. The house has now passed on to Barker's nephew, Hunt Edwards, and niece, Lela Cason, who are working to preserve the historic structure.

The Wedding Cake House in Kennebunk, Maine, is a beloved landmark that has inspired many romantic tales. Its intricate architecture and picturesque setting make it a treasured destination for those seeking a glimpse of its enchanting beauty.

It was built in 1825 by George W Bourne

The Wedding Cake House, formally known as the George W. Bourne House, was built in 1825 by George Washington Bourne (1801-1856), a fourth-generation shipbuilder on the Kennebunk River. The house is located at 104 Summer Street in Kennebunk, Maine, and is considered a treasured landmark of the city.

George W. Bourne was a prominent shipbuilder and businessman who grew up in the house next door, now known as the Waldo Emerson Inn. His father built the original federal brick house as a wedding gift for George and his new bride, Jane, in 1825. The house's distinctive "icing" was added 26 years later in 1852 after a fire destroyed the barn.

Inspired by the Gothic beauty of the Cathedral in Milan, Bourne, along with an apprentice and carpenters from the closed shipyard, rebuilt the barn and carriage house with intricate Gothic trim. Over the next few years, he added columns, spires, and other intricate details to the main house, creating a legendary example of Gothic Revival architecture. Bourne's skill and vision resulted in a stunning home that has become a beloved landmark.

The "Wedding Cake" name was given to the house due to its resemblance to a wedding cake, with its ornate decorations and tiers that get smaller as the house rises. The house has a romantic history and architectural style, making it a popular subject for photography and a sought-after destination for special occasions.

The house has eight bedrooms and is 6,263 square feet

The Wedding Cake House, formerly known as the George W. Bourne House, is a historic house located at 104 Summer Street in Kennebunk, Maine. The house has eight bedrooms and is 6,263 square feet in size, sitting on 2.2 acres of land overlooking the Kennebunk River.

The house was built in 1825 by shipbuilder George Washington Bourne, who constructed the house as a wedding gift for his son, George W. Bourne, and his bride, Jane. The original structure was a federal brick house, but in 1852, 26 years after it was built, a fire destroyed the barn, and the "icing" was added. Inspired by the Cathedral in Milan, Bourne, along with an apprentice and other carpenters, rebuilt the barn and added the intricate Gothic trim, columns, and spires that characterise the house today.

The house earned its nickname, "The Wedding Cake House", due to its resemblance to a tiered wedding cake, with its ornate white trim against a yellow background. Over the years, the house has become a beloved landmark and is considered one of the most photographed houses in Maine.

The house features a formal parlor with an antique piano, a circular staircase with a hand-painted mural, a library with built-in bookcases, and seven fireplaces. The property also includes a carriage house and a barn with a two-bedroom apartment. The current owners, Hunt Edwards and Lela Cason, are descendants of the original Bourne family and are carefully restoring the house to preserve its historic details while also making necessary repairs.

It is known for its ornate, icing-like trim

The Wedding Cake House, formerly known as the George W. Bourne House, is located in Kennebunk, Maine. It was built in 1825 by shipbuilder George Washington Bourne, who constructed the house as a wedding gift for his son, George W. Bourne, and his bride, Jane. The house's unique "icing-like trim" can be attributed to a fire that destroyed the barn in 1852. Bourne, inspired by the Cathedral in Milan, rebuilt the carriage house and barn in the Carpenter Gothic style.

The intricate woodwork and ornate trim that earned the house its nickname can be attributed to the help of Thomas Durrell, an apprentice ship's carpenter. Bourne spent the rest of his life adding embellishments to the house, showcasing his exceptional carpentry skills. The white trim against a yellow background creates a striking resemblance to a tiered wedding cake, making it a favourite among photographers.

The house's romantic architecture and maritime history have made it a treasured landmark in Kennebunk. With its picturesque architectural details, the house sits directly on the Kennebunk River, overlooking the historic Kennebunk Landing Shipyards. The main house combines shipbuilding origins, colonial influences, and Victorian refinement, creating a magical and enchanting destination.

The Wedding Cake House has a rich history and has been passed down through generations of the Bourne family. Over the years, it has even been used as an inn and has inspired many romantic tales. The house has undergone extensive renovations and restorations, with the current owners working closely with the town's Historic Preservation Commission to preserve its intricate exterior details while repairing the structure and foundation.

The house is currently being restored by Hunt Edwards and Lela Cason

The Wedding Cake House, formally known as the George W. Bourne House, is a historic house located at 104 Summer Street in Kennebunk, Maine. The house was built in 1825 by shipbuilder George Washington Bourne, who constructed the house as a wedding gift for his son, George W. Bourne, and his bride, Jane.

The house's famous "wedding cake" appearance is the result of a series of renovations carried out by Bourne after a fire destroyed the barn in 1852. Inspired by the Gothic beauty of the Cathedral of Milan, Bourne rebuilt the carriage house and barn in the Carpenter Gothic style, adding intricate woodwork, buttresses with pinnacles, and embellishments that tied the new structures to the existing house.

The house has been passed down through generations of the Bourne family, eventually becoming a short-lived inn. In 1983, the property was purchased by Mary Burnett, who, along with her daughter Anne, completed an extensive renovation and restoration. The house then changed hands several times before ending up with James Hunt Barker, who purchased it in 1998. Barker opened the house to the public to raise funds for charity and, upon his passing, left it to his nephew, Hunt Edwards, and niece, Lela Cason.

The house is currently being lovingly restored by Hunt Edwards and Lela Cason, who aim to preserve its historic structure, honour its history, and give it a fresh presentation to the community. Hunt has been working closely with the town and the Historic Preservation Commission since 2019 to repair the structure and foundation while preserving the intricate details of the exterior. Katie Edwards is overseeing the preservation and refreshment of the interior, and Meme Edwards keeps the community informed through social media.

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