The Waldo Emerson Inn

A restored shipbuilders manse located next to the Kennebunk river with all the latest amenities including working fireplaces for a relaxing romantic getaway. Let us pamper you with a terrific Dutch breakfast and afternoon tea in the Inn's historic parlor or in the shade of our large oak trees.

The Inn has had several famous owners. The original Dutch grambrel was constructed by one Waldo Emerson in 1753. It is the oldest remaining house in Kennebunk. Waldo, great-uncle of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the poet/essayist, made a tidy profit building clipper ships on the river behind the house. It was inherited, through marriage, by Theodore Lyman, who made a fortune building ships on the site and added the enormous addition in 1784, as a wedding gift for his second wife. Theodore sold the home in 1804, to build the now-famous Lyman Estate and Greenhouses in Waltham, Mass.

The house was purchased by John Bourne, father of 15 children, one of whom was George Washington Bourne, the builder of the famous "Wedding Cake House" next door.

The inn is a wonderful recollection of the past. You enter directly into the 252-year-old keeping room, with its hand-hewn oak timbers hung with dried flowers, pewter, and copper.

During your stay, please stop by Mainely Quilts and gift shop, located in the carriage house next to the Inn. You'll find the latest local creations. Heirloom quality quilts and wallhangings, often taking hundreds of hours to create, grace homes all over the world. You also will find a wide selection of fabrics, quilting supplies and novelties. The Inn is open year round.

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Here is what guests had to say...

"Amazing Inn, Caring Innkeepers" 10/22/2009
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Stayed On: 10/2009

This is the best Bed & Breakfast I've ever been to. The Inn itself is the oldest house in Kennebunk (it's far more cost effective to stay in Kennebunk than Kennebunkport), it's got several historical aspects, like the windows etched, the indian... read more


"Historic Kennebunk Home-Charming" 9/30/2009
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Stayed On: 9/2009

My husband & I stayed here over the Labor Day weekend in tourist-Mad Southern Maine. Yet the atmosphere in this beautifully furnished home was relaxed and welcoming. Nice innkeepers, comfy rooms and excellent location.

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"The Waldo Emerson Inn" 9/25/2009
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Stayed On: 8/2009

Lovely, historic B&B which we enjoyed very much. Innkeepers very warm and accomodating. Very delicous breakfasts that kept you going for the day. A truly great experience.

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"Beautiful Historical Inn" 9/6/2009
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Stayed On: 8/2009

This is a very nice historical house. The innkeepers are very pleasant .They were helpful with directions and suggestions and making reservations. Unfortunately the inn is on a very busy and noisy road. The traffic started very early in the... read more


"Wonderful stay" 9/1/2009
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Stayed On: 8/2009

Great hosts, Kathy & John were very pleasant, funny and hospitable. Food was excellent, great to get 2nd's. Very nice rooms. Charming building. Even stayed cool with 85F weather, and dry (Hurricane Bill). Highly recommended. Worth every... read more


"Beautiful location" 8/31/2009
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Stayed On: 8/2009

Great house, great food, great guests, great innkeepers, great location. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

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"Gourmet stay in historical home" 8/25/2009
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Stayed On: 8/2009

This welcoming home in Kennebunk, ME, is the oldest home in town and was part fo the underground railroad. Our hosts were fun and informative. Nice place away from the hustle of nearby Kennebunk Port. Wonderful breakfast.

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"Carolina Couple in Maine" 8/17/2009
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Stayed On: 8/2009

My wife and I loved the history of the Inn. Kathy and John were great hosts and very helpful in planning local activities. This Inn is a great value for the price. The only negative is that it is a 5-10 minute drive to Kennebunk Beach, and... read more


"Awesome!" 8/4/2009
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Stayed On: 6/2009

We couldn't have been more pleased with our stay! John was so nice and he is a great chef. Waldo the dog was a hit with our 10-year old. Plus, the history of the house is nice to know. Great place to stay!

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"A Great Place " 8/2/2009
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Stayed On: 7/2009

The Innkeepers were very friendly and offered their guests a history of the Inn. The rooms were very clean and the bathrooms were modest yet accommodating. Waldo was a very nice dog to have around and was never a nuisance to anyone. The breakfasts... read more


"beautifull old home, wonderful inkeepers, great value" 7/9/2009
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Stayed On: 5/2009

The home was a great old home with lots of charm. Loved the story about Abe Lincoln being a descedent of Kathy and the letter written to her grandfather by Mark Twain was quit a story. Breakfast was great if you didn't have dietary issues. I had... read more


"enjoyed our stay very much!!" 6/30/2009
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Stayed On: 6/2009

Beautiful room and hosts were courteous and very friendly. Breakfasts were an every day surprise! read more


"Fantastic Time" 6/24/2009
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Stayed On: 6/2009

What a fantastic time we had. We rented the entire Inn for my sister's 60th birthday. We were 14 women (and as you can imagine - we all have our own ways) but everyone...and I mean everyone had a great time. John and Kathy are two of the most... read more


"Hospitality Extrodinaire " 6/22/2009
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Stayed On: 6/2009

It was my 60th birthday and I was spending it with 13 other women. Kathy and John could not be more hospitable from the time I made the reservation til the time we got in the car to go home. All the women loved it and promised to return at another... read more


"Hospitality with a capital H" 6/22/2009
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Stayed On: 6/2009

We were 14 women and there was not one complaint. We thoroughly enjoyed the facility but above all our hosts, John & Kathy. They could not have been any kinder. Thanks for the great memories! read more


"The best thing of a B&B" 12/1/2008
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Stayed On: 11/2008

Terrific innkeepers, John and Kathy. John has great breakfasts to everything from Dutch pancakes to souffles. The bed was so good you didn't want to get up. Waldo Emerson Inn is GREAT! read more


"outstanding innkeepers" 11/4/2008
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Stayed On: 10/2008

Friendly innkeepers, proud of their beautiful property, excellent breakfast provided great information.

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"thanks for the memories" 10/24/2008
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Stayed On: 10/2008

We really enjoyed our stay at this inn, which was one of the first places where the excellent website actually MATCHED the real experience!

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"Exellence" 8/13/2008
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Stayed On: 6/2008

We stayed here for a family gathering and the hosts were wonderful and made us totally welcome. As a couple from Europe, the house was enchanting and had lots of character appealing to most. Lovely BB in a wonderful area, a must for visitors to... read more


""Very nice..."" 8/1/2008
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Stayed On: 7/2008

Very nice clean, convenient great breakfast

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""Fantastic.."" 8/1/2008
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Stayed On: 7/2008

Fantastic Hospitality!! Beautiful N.E. Inn.

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"A fantastic gem" 1/3/2008
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Stayed On: 1/2008

My girlfriend and I, both young adults, found this to be the perfect getaway. The innkeepers were delightful, sociable, and helpful, but also afforded us the privacy we wanted. Their dog Waldo is also wonderful and well-behaved. At breakfast, the... read more


"What a wonderful expierence!" 10/3/2007
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Stayed On: 9/2007

Just spent two days at this Inn and loved every moment we were there. The room we stayed in was just as they described it...the bed was very comfortable and the room was very clean. The breakfasts included three courses, were very tasty and ever so... read more


"Beautiful home with a lot of history" 3/22/2007
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Stayed On: 10/2005

A beautiful home with a lot of history, the Waldo Emerson Inn is a delight. Innkeepers provided a tour of the home, telling much of its history -- and also highlighted the "sights" of the area, including George HW Bush's home in... read more


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Contact Information


The Waldo Emerson Inn Bed and Breakfast
The Waldo Emerson Inn
108 Summer Street
Kennebunk, ME 04043-2126
USA
Phone: +1-207-985-4250
Cellular: +1-207-332-1851
Toll-free: +1-877-521-8776
Innkeeper(s)
John Daamen and Kathy Daamen
Rates:
$100 - $165
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1.Massachusetts bed and breakfast inn
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Reviews

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Review The Waldo Emerson Inn, Kennebunk, ME

Photo Album

The Guest ParlorThe Breakfast Room
Waldo Emerson Inn - Quilt Shop in the Carriage House at the InnThe Yellow Room
Blue Room (3)Red Room (4)
Green (twin) RoomWaldo (alternate) Room
Ralph's Library (alternate) Room