Academe at The Kennebunk Inn

The original building of what is now The Kennebunk Inn was built as a private residence by Phineas Cole in 1799, less than thirty years after the founding of the Republic. In 1928, George Baitler converted the private home to a hotel known as “The Tavern,” adding a 21/2 story wing to produce a total of 50 guest rooms. In the late 1930s the name of the hotel was changed to The Kennebunk Inn. Another distinctive feature of The Inn’s is its “haunted heritage.” Rumor has it that Silas Perkins, one of The Inn’s clerks who passed away in the mid-twentieth century, continues to inhabit his place of former employment—his presence being made visible occasionally by flying or falling wine glasses and other objects. The Inn’s ownership has included several families over the years. In January, 2003 Drs. David and Sue Horner and their daughter and son-in-law, Shanna Horner O’Hea and Brian O’Hea, acquired The Inn. Long-time summer residents of Harpswell, Maine, the Horners’ careers have focused on higher education. In 1979 David became the youngest college president in America when he was appointed to the presidency of Barrington College (RI) at age 29. From 1987-2004 he served as president of North Park University (Chicago.) Sue has taught and published in the areas of women’s studies and religion and has lectured across the United States as well as in Europe and Australia. In 2008 David and Sue accepted new assignments as president and scholar-in-residence, respectively, at The American College of Greece in Athens, Greece – Europe’s oldest and largest American-style college or university.

Academe at The Kennebunk Inn

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