Historic Kenmore - Restoration

Historic Kenmore is nearing completion of a major, multi-year restoration. To see pictures detailing the restoration of Kenmore, please visit the Photo Galleries. Also, be sure to check the News page for the latest developments.

The goals of the Restoration Project are to conserve the fabric of the historic buildings on Kenmore’s property to the 1775—1800 time period, including restoration of the historic interiors of the house and the kitchen dependency. As well, the mechanical systems serving four buildings have been upgraded. In addition, certain alterations made by 19th-century owners were valued and preserved as representative of the building’s history and of the continuum of life at Kenmore. Post-1925 changes made for interpretive, structural, and practical reasons were examined on a case-by-case basis. If such changes had no historical basis, or if their functions could be improved, they were removed or modified.

The amount of information, detail, and knowledge resulting from this restoration has been astounding. Each day, the staff learned more about the property, outbuildings that are no longer in existence, the present buildings, Kenmore itself, and the property’s residents over the centuries. The restoration staff has been as thorough as possible, documenting every aspect and element in a variety of ways, making this truly a remarkable restoration project in the historic preservation field.