Despite months of hard work and thousands of dollars raised, time has run out for the Kenniston Hill Inn on Boothbay Common.

Demolition of the 1790s era building is expected to begin next Monday Nov. 24, Knickerbocker Group President Steve Malcom said Dec. 20. The house site will serve as the gateway to the new Boothbay Harbor Country Club, currently under construction.

Ultimately, no taker or permanent home could be found for the centuries-old Kenniston House, which would cost tens of thousands of dollars to move and hundreds of thousands to restore.

“I have been trying not to tear this building down for a year and a half,” Malcom said.

Susan Brackett, who has spearheaded the community effort to relocate the iconic white house on the hill, said she was heartsick at the outcome.

Thursday afternoon found her at Boothbay Framers, preparing for Saturday’s Early Bird Sale while making difficult phone calls to donors.

“I’m really sad,” Brackett said. “This has been a community rally, including the support of Mr. Coulombe and Knickerbocker and everybody else on an extremely wonderful level to try and make this happen. In the end, we just couldn’t get all the ducks in a row.”

For Brackett, the push to save the Kenniston House began last summer, but she has had a long interest in historic buildings and places. Both she and Malcom were instrumental in restoring the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor, and they both continue to serve on its board of trustees.

“The Kenniston house was, in my mind, a very visible link to the historic character of this area,” Brackett said. “The charm of that history is what draws some people here and to New England in general. In the 37 years I have lived in Boothbay there have been many historic buildings taken down for one reason or another. The loss of this one made me sleepless.”

Rather than simply worry, Brackett began raising money, searching for a new site for the house and connecting with those whose family history ties them to the Kenniston House.

For Brackett and everyone else involved in the effort to relocate the house, the three month journey has been marked by huge ups and downs.

As each hurdle along the path was cleared, another more formidable one appeared in its place.

Over the months, the Railway Village and Boothbay Green were suggested as possible new homes for the Kenniston House. However, while the costs of moving the building were daunting, the costs of restoring and maintaining it were insurmountable for the small, local nonprofits.

“Ultimately, no one wanted to sign the document to accept transfer of the building,” Malcom said. “It’s a much bigger deal than just moving a building.”

Both Brackett and Malcom agree that simply relocating the building to have it sit and rot someplace is an unacceptable outcome to all involved.

“In the end when I look at the donors who have given their money, to move it and to not be able to return it to a healthier state is a real disservice to all of them,” Brackett said. “I’ve given three months of my life to this and then to not have it taken care of, I also couldn’t handle that personally.”

Brackett said despite the disappointment she hopes the drive to save the Kenniston Inn will be remembered as a valiant community effort that came up just short.

“The community piece is huge, like so many things in this community.” Malcom said. “People are extraordinary when they rally around an event or cause like this one.”

Brackett said all funds raised to move the Kenniston House will be returned to donors.