Discover Our Historic Maine Inn
It has taken our family three generations to create the historic property you see today, and while we plan for the future, we continue to appreciate and nurture what we have inherited from the past. Over the years, the original summer season of mid-June through Labor Day at The Dunes has been extended into the spring and fall, beginning the last weekend in April and continuing through the end of October. The average length of stay may be shorter than that of the first guests in the 1930’s, and people may come from further away, but our visitors still come to us eager to relax and enjoy the ocean breezes.
The Dunes on the Waterfront came to life from 12 acres of riverfront pastureland purchased by Russell and Beatrice Weare Perkins in 1935. Four cottages were built initially, and the first guests were welcomed in the summer of 1936. Visitors back then would often arrive at the old Wells Railroad Station with their trunks and be shuttled by taxi to the Dunes, where the cottages were rented for the entire season. Additional cottages were added throughout the 1930’s and 40’s, and Russell and Beatrice joined their guests as in-season residents for many years, managing the property from an office in their summer cottage.
Richard, the son of Russell and Beatrice, built a house on the property in 1966 with his wife, Cynthia. They managed the property there together until his death in 1977, when she took over. Subsequently, a third generation of the Perkins family stepped in. After building a new laundry and maintenance building 1993, Aaron Perkins built the current office on the site of the original storage barn. He and his wife Cindy continue to own the property today.
Ongoing modeling and reconfiguring led to the division and renumbering of many cottages and two of the current buildings were actually moved onto the property from alternate Ogunquit locations in the 1950’s. Despite the addition of modern comfort and conveniences, the original charm of the buildings has been carefully retained. Our goal is to do everything that we can to make your stay with us an enjoyable one. We look forward to welcoming you to The Dunes on the Waterfront!
