100 years lovely
Blenheim Park was established on McCurdy Pond in approximately 1924. When the Walkers of Damariscotta, a well-to-do family, lost their grand home to a fire, they set about creating a new estate on an expansive property that fronted both Lake Pemaquid and McCurdy Pond. A small cottage, a charming copper-roofed structure, survived the fire and was relocated to the shores of pristine McCurdy Pond and used as a ‘Teahouse’ (and, we suspect, saw a little action during prohibition).
“The cottages are charming, the lake is clear and serene, and the grounds are beautiful. Kerry and Justin are fantastic hosts.”
One hundred years later, the Teahouse still stands, having been lovingly tended to and restored by us and its former owner, a retired priest who spent 40 years developing the estate in the European style, as his passion project.
As age became a factor he set about finding the next stewards, and four years later, he found us. We ‘grandfathered’ Father Foote in along with the waterfront cottages, and he has followed our progress with much delight as we restore and revitalize the property he so adored.
“Loved my time here. So peaceful with a lake practically to yourself (and the loons). The Teahouse was comfortable and charming and I loved sleeping in the Boathouse. What a special place. Kerry and Justin were perfect hosts. Thank you for the archery lesson, Justin!”
hello!
We are Kerry and Justin, photographers and business execs, who traded city life in Brooklyn for the beauty of Maine in 2017.
We love great food and fancy things and immediately fell in love with all that Mid Coast Maine offers - truly the best of every great city and region we’ve called home.
Here we've found a friendly creative community, a strong art scene, distilleries and vineyards, true foodie destinations, and scenery so lovely you'll be dreaming of it long after you leave.
Blenheim Park (pronounced Blen-em) is a 16 acre creative retreat on the shores of pristine McCurdy Pond, a few miles from downtown Damariscotta. The property features 100 year old cottages, landscaped grounds, gathering spaces, a photo studio and a 300 tree commercial cherry orchard.
The business is family owned and managed by Kerry, an Australian-born, world-schooled, business advisor, cherry farmer, educator and artist. Justin, in addition to tending his own fast-paced executive career in the photographic industry, is the multi-talented Macguyver who figures out how to make possible most of her wildest dreams and schemes.
HEAVY WEIGHS THE CROWN
And the name?
Well, it has something to do with our co-founders. Kerry is Australian, an official ‘subject of the Queen’ (literally born in a state called Queensland).
Justin is a confirmed Anglophile who won her heart on first meeting, despite declaring she was ‘from England’.
Blenheim Park was named for our dogs (King Charles Cavalier), and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace, which is built in the same architectural (Palladian) style as our home, AND which takes its name from the red color of the Cavalier King Charles.
How could we NOT name it so?
You might also say we’re a little sentimental for Elizabeth ll, aka Lizzie, aka Lilibet (as in, we may have reached intervention-stage with our collection of royal memorabilia).
Our cherry and blossom products are produced under the brand ‘Long Live Lilibet’ and that is our wish for this incredible woman who has persevered and prevailed in a very male dominated world.
“Kerry and Justin are ideal hosts. They provided every comfort, were available and very responsive when needed, but otherwise invisible and respectful of privacy. I can’t thank them enough for my wonderful stay at their property.”