5 Chestnut Street

About this home

Built by Reuben Carver c.1790 and sold only a few years later to David Vinal, a member of one of Vinalhaven's founding families, this beautifully preserved center-chimney Cape offers a rare opportunity to own an important piece of the island's early history. Thoughtfully expanded around 1800, the home has been meticulously maintained by the current owners while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and character that define Maine's earliest homes. Inside, original architectural details remain remarkably intact, including fireplaces in both the living and dining rooms, original mantels and moldings, and wood floors. Modern improvements have been carefully integrated to provide year-round comfort, including thermo pane windows, a forced hot air heating system, updated electrical, and spray-foam insulation around the basement perimeter for improved energy efficiency. The home includes a flexible floor plan well suited for today's lifestyle, with a first-floor bedroom, two beautifully renovated bathrooms, a welcoming eat-in kitchen with a charming walk-in pantry and small wood stove, two second-floor bedrooms in the north wing, and two seasonal guest bedrooms within the original Cape. Equally remarkable is the property's expansive village lot--an uncommon size that provides privacy and room to enjoy established perennial gardens, mature landscaping, and generous open lawn. The grounds offer abundant space for gardening, recreation, or simply relaxing in a peaceful setting just moments from village amenities. Complementing the home is an impressive collection of outbuildings, including a substantial barn with an attached open woodshed, a classic 1½-story storage shed currently used as a studio, and an additional one-story shed, providing abundant space for hobbies, workshops, gardening equipment, and storage. The historic Vinal Homestead offers a rare blend of early New England architecture, modern comfort, impeccable care, and one of the most generous in-town lots