June 2, 2025

Whenever I can I try to visit Presidential Museums or Presidential Residents. As we were in Portland, Maine we thought we would take a quick excursion to Kennebunkport, Maine to see how the Bush family lived.

Enroute to Kennebunkport, we took a tour through Portland, Maine. Portland’s success has always been tied to marine economy and commercial fishing. Portland remains Maine’s economic capital because the city has Maine’s largest port, largest population, and is close to Boston (105 miles to the southwest) We passed some of those shipping barons’ estates on the way to Kennebunkport.

You arrive in Kennebunk, Maine before arriving at the Bush estate in Kennebunkport, Maine. Kennebunk is the quintessential Maine town, and they are proud to be “Mainers” and proud to be Americans. Most importantly they are proud to be “the lobster capital of the world.” Lobster has a significant impact on Maine’s economy. It drives employment in various sectors, including real estate, hospitality, and trucking. Ancillary businesses such as boatbuilders, gear manufactures, bait supplies, and fuel stations all benefit from the lobster industry. How much does the economy benefit? 3.1 billion dollars per year!!

Leaving Kennebunk, you drive a short distance to Kennebunkport. The Bush estate is situated on a promontory of land called Walker’s Point which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. The large central house, built in the New England shingle style has nine bedrooms, four sitting rooms, an office, a den, a library, a dining room, a kitchen, and various patios and decks. Next to the main house are a four-car garage, a pool, tennis court, dock, boathouse, and guesthouse. There are spacious lawns on either side of the house, on which there is a small sports field.

President Bush spent much of his childhood at the Kennebunkport estate. Interestingly, George Herbert Walker Jr. had to purchase the property from his father’s estate. It was not willed to him. As an adult, Bush, his wife Barbara and their children spent most summers at the estate. Because the compound is highly guarded by the Secret Service, I could only take pictures from a distance.

You will note that the flag of Texas is also visible on the flagpole. When it is flying it indicates that a member of the Bush family is in residence.

An equally impressive home was an estate located on a jetty close to the Bush compound. The home was purchased by the founder of the eHarmony dating website. Unfortunately, the founder’s wife met a younger man, you guessed it, on the eHarmony website. She now resides at the estate with her boyfriend!

Enroute back to the ship we passed by the shoreline of Portland. I captured a photo of the Ram Island Lighthouse and “Peace Park” a gathering spot for concerts, festivals and the July 4th fireworks. We also got a nice shot of our ship at the Port of Portland.

Thanks for traveling with us.