By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

When George H.W. Bush became vice-president elect in 1980, his summer home at Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport became a point of interest for tourists. The summer residence became a greater focal point when he became the 41^st president, and again when his son was elected the 43^rd president. But with George W. Bush stepping down from office in January, is it possible Walker’s Point will become a vanishing point to tourists?

After summering in Kennebunkport for nearly 20 years, the Walker family purchased the property in 1889 at which time the piece of land became known as Walker’s Point, said Sheila Meek of the Kennebunkport Historical Society. Meek compiled a history of the compound for the historical society’s newsletter in 2007. She said George H.W. Bush purchased the land from his aunt the same year he was elected as Ronald Regan’s vice president. 

Nearly 120 years after the Walker family acquired the land, the 7.6 acres of land on Ocean Avenue is valued at $3,550,900.

“Walker’s Point was the summer White House, and ‘Bush watchers’ came by the bus load,” Meek said. “International visitors, including prime ministers, presidents, kings and foreign ministers arrived to discuss foreign affairs, sample Maine hospitality and enjoy a lobster dinner.”

Hotels filled with tourists and news reporters when George H.W. Bush was in town, but since his son only visited occasionally, he did not create the same kind of consistent tourism, Meek said. She said now Barbara and George H.W. Bush walk through town “without much disturbance.” 

George W. Bush’s most recent visit to Walker’s Point was in early August and prompted a protest outside the compound. Kennebunkport Police Chief Joseph Bruni said without a standing president visiting the family residence, he hopes protests will lessen. He said he anticipates scaling down police presence when any member of the Bush family visits. 

Bruni said the department had to prepare in advance with daily meetings, learning how to deal with the press and protestors, as well as being aware of controversial subjects and world events each time the president planned a visit to his parent’s home in Kennebunkport. 

“With two sitting presidents, our added security has encompassed 28 years. Our efforts will be scaled down significantly, and I’m OK with that,” Bruni said. “I commend the locals because they have had to live through it, and their patience has helped us.”

John Gilbert, a former member of the secret service detail for George H.W. Bush, said George H.W. Bush is the last president to receive secret service protection for life.

He said George W. Bush will be guarded for 10 years unless federal intelligence agencies feels he is threatened. 

“It is unfortunate that any president has to walk around with any level of protection, but that’s the kind of world we live in. After they leave office levels do diminish,” Gilbert said. 

Levels of protection are determined by threat analysis and need-based situations, Gilbert said.

He said government employees “with much more insight and information than the average person” calculate the threat analysis and levels diminish the longer a president is out of office. 

With tourists flocking to catch a glimpse of Walker’s Point, Port Shoe owner Frank Assennato said he noticed an increase of business when George W. Bush was scheduled to be in town, but a lull when the public knew protesters would be in town as well. 

The press corps, security employees and their families, as well as tourists all ate and shopped in the town, he said. 

But with George W. Bush retiring from the Oval Office, Carrots and Company owner Amy Gaynor does not anticipate a fluctuation in the interest of tourists.

“It’s going to be the same as it has always been,” Gaynor said.