Vinalhaven

The migration of summer residents and vacationers increases this figure substantially in warm months, as the summer population is around 5,000 people. The island can be reached, year round, by air or by sea. Penobscot Island Air makes multiple, daily flights to the island and the Maine State Ferry Service makes six runs per day with its car ferry. 

Lobstering is the keystone of Vinalhaven’s economy. In 2006, there were 304 commercial licenses issued to Vinalhaven residents. Tourism is also an important industry, as many local businesses see a considerable increase in profits during the summer months. Another major employer on Vinalhaven is the state-of-the art K-12 public school (www.vinalhavenschool.org). The school employs about 45 people to serve as teachers and support staff for its 200 students. In addition to being a great place for kids to grow and learn, the school functions as a community gathering place. Meetings and presentations are frequently held in the school auditorium and community members frequently use the gym and library.

There is a post office on Vinalhaven and mail is flown to the island daily. There are also two grocery stores (The Carver’s Harbor IGA and The Fishermen’s Friend), several gift/stationary stores, a motel, a health club, a wine/gourmet shop, a used-book store run by The Friends of the Library, and seven restaurants (three of which stay open year-round). Check out the Chamber of Commerce’s website (www.vinalhaven.org) for more information about businesses on Vinalhaven.

There are several community organizations that play a vital role in Vinalhaven’s community life. The town public library boasts a collection of over 20,000 titles and circulated over 13,000 volumes in 2007. The library has a full-time staff and a Friends Group to oversee activities. Islands Community Medical Services Inc. provides full medical and dental services to island’s residents year-round, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In 2007, the Medical Center saw 5,600 patients, while the dental clinic saw 1,300. The island is also home to over 10 public parks and land preserves, with the Vinalhaven Land Trust playing a vital role in preserving them. Other community organizations include the school board, the fishermen’s co-op, the American Legion, volunteer groups from the island’s two churches, the local chapter of the Lions Club, the Historical Society, a volunteer fire department and EMS, and the board of the island’s eldercare facility, The Ivan Calderwood Homestead.

The history of Vinalhaven goes all the way back to the Native Americans who visited the island almost 5,000 years ago. The island was settled by English in the 1700’s and, in 1846, the communities of Vinalhaven and the neighboring North Haven officially split to become separate island communities. Vinalhaven became a leading producer of granite in the 1800s, and is sustained today by the lobster-rich waters of Penobscot Bay. More about the history of Vinalhaven can be found at the Vinalhaven Historical Society’s website (http://www.midcoast.com/~vhhissoc/home.html).