The Wedding Cake House
This is not a house I have been able to visit, but I have driven by it many times over the years. Known as the Wedding Cake House, it is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kennebunk, Maine.
Built in 1825 by shipbuilder George W. Bourne, the house originally reflected the Federal style popular in early nineteenth-century New England. Bourne was inspired by the intricate details he saw on the cathedral in Milan during one of his travels. He transformed his home with elaborate wooden trim and decorative elements, creating what architectural historians describe as an outstanding example of Carpenter Gothic. Its fanciful appearance eventually earned it the nickname “The Wedding Cake House.”
Although the house is privately owned and not open to the public, it has become one of Maine’s most photographed homes. Each time I drive past it, I am reminded that some places do not need to be entered to be appreciated. Nearly two centuries after George Bourne built it, the Wedding Cake House continues to delight travelers and stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and prosperity that Maine’s shipbuilding industry once brought to the region.
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