KENNEBUNK — Maine is a place rich in history, and Mother’s Beach is no exception.

The Brick Store Museum hosted a walking tour of the seaside neighborhood Saturday afternoon to illuminate this history, with volunteers leading groups around the area and making stops to give commentary on some of the beautiful, historic beach cottages and other points of interest.

Tour leader and Brick Store Museum Board of Trustees Past President Steve Spofford, who is also the Kennebunk Town Historian, said the beach community was developed in the late 1800s by the Boston and Kennebunk Seaport Company.

The development company was very particular on how the area was laid out and developed, and had certain standards on how lots were developed. Although not all the buildings from the early years remain, the neighborhood is still laid out on the same plot sites drawn up by the Boston and Seaport Company, said Spofford.

Today, those who live near Mother’s Beach take pride in their homes and neighborhood.

“It hasn’t lost the charm it had when first developed in the 1870s,” said Spofford.

Brick Store Museum Executive Director Cynthia Walker said Mother’s Beach has continuously been a popular seaside spot since it was developed in the late 1800s. Walker said though many of the historic tours in town over the years have focused on the greater downtown area, the beach area also has a rich history.

P.J. Cavanaugh, whose home was the last stop on the tour, hosted an ice cream social in her home after the walk, said she was happy to see a historic tour of her neighborhood.

“This is a dream come true,” she said.

For more information on upcoming museum walking tours, go to www.brickstoremuseum.org.

Those interested in learning more about the history of Kennebunk’s beach community can attend a presentation by Spofford titled “So You Think You Know Kennebunk Beach” at Trinity Chapel, Railroad Avenue, on Aug. 11. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a garden reception and Spofford’s speech will begin at 6 p.m.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].