Located on Main Street in the center of Castine's historic district, the house is two blocks from the harbor. It stands between the oldest operating U.S. Post Office and the Castine Inn.
With four bedrooms and three baths, it is very comfortable for guests. The house has a fully-stocked kitchen (oven, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, coffee maker, dishes, silverware), a dining room with seating up to eight, reliable Wi-Fi, TV with internet access and DVD player, washer & dryer, outdoor deck, and off-street parking.
The residence was built by Colonel Jonathan Lowder and his wife, Deliverance Cook. Colonel Lowder, a soldier in the French War and the Revolution (who in 1779 was imprisoned in Quebec as a spy), was appointed Excise Officer in Castine, then called Penobscot, in 1789. The house has been renovated and furnished to maintain its historical character while offering the comfort of modern conveniences.
Castine has a number of historic sites and parks (including the ruins of British earthworks at Fort George), a deep water harbor (with moorings for small boats beyond the current of the Penobscot and Bagaduce rivers). Attractions include a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, kayak rentals, a nature preserve with trails, beaches, shops, and restaurants. In addition, the town has a public library, an active historical society, the Wilson Museum, a weekly farmers market, and a charming lighthouse. Castine's streets are lined with 18th and 19th century houses, and shaded by large elms. Next door to the Lowder house is the Castine Post Office - opened in 1814, it is reportedly the oldest in continuous operation in the United States.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Water view
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Castine
Located in Castine, this holiday home is in the city centre. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Fort Madison State Park and Fort Knox State Park, while Jonathan Fisher House and Penobscot Marine Museum are cultural highlights. Blue Hill Books and Blue Hill Co-op Community Market are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with fishing and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 65 min drive
Restaurants
Bagaduce Lunch - 25 min drive
T & C Grocery - 2 min walk
Pentagoet Inn & Restaurant - 1 min walk
Dennett's Wharf - 3 min walk
Danny Murphy's Pub - 2 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Experience One Of The Oldest Houses In Castine pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Experience One Of The Oldest Houses In Castine?
As of 26 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Experience One Of The Oldest Houses In Castine on 30 Jun, 2026 start from S$523, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Experience One Of The Oldest Houses In Castine?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Experience One Of The Oldest Houses In Castine?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Experience One Of The Oldest Houses In Castine?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Experience One Of The Oldest Houses In Castine located?
Located in the heart of Castine, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Maine Maritime Academy, Great Island and Castine Historical Society. Castline Golf Club and Fort George Park are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
5-star communication & location and such a BEAUTIFUL home! I am so happy I booked early for MMA graduation - the stay made the weekend super special. Thank you.
Karen P.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May, 2022
We're so pleased that you enjoyed your stay. You were a delight and left the place spotless. Please come back!
Extremely please I booked this property early so friends and I could enjoy a place to relax on our 40th reunion at MMA.
Great location as it is a couple of blocks from the waterfront and a short trip up the hill to the MMA campus. Loved our stay!
Mark F.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2024
We're so happy that the house provided a relaxing time in Castine. Please visit again!
We look forward to returning to Castine and to staying at the Jonathan Lowder House every summer. Daniel and Mary make it a breeze to check in, and after three years, this has become a special tradition for my family. A real treat in one of the most unique towns in the U.S.
Once again, a super experience. We wait all year to return to Castine and this incredible house. Love the books, doing puzzles, biking, hiking, playing golf up the street, and being able to walk out the door and down into the village. Castine and this listing are singular!
Leslie G.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug, 2022
Thank you! You and your sons are wonderful guests and leave the house spotless. Very much appreciated.
Exposed beams in the kitchen and casual dining area give a rustic look, and there's real history behind it. Read a book or two while you're there. The house has plenty of post-war non-fiction, some naval adventure books, and big picture books for kids and art lovers. There's also a bookstore and cafe just down the street, with an unassuming but delicious restaurant next to it.Perfect location - the town is very walkable, and the house is just up Main Street from the docks. Check out the Castine elms while you're walking.
Bruce E.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Jul, 2025
We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay in Castine. You’re welcomed back anytime!
Our first trip to Maine was wonderful. The house is historic and beautiful. Castine is beautiful. The location is within 1.5 hours of Bar Harbor Acadia and Bangor. We had fun seeing Maine. This house was a great home base location for what we wanted to do. The weather did not cooperate and it was rainy and foggy but we enjoyed ourselves despite the weather. 4th of July fireworks were the best I have ever seen!
Laura B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jul, 2023
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your trip and 4th of July in Castine. So sorry that the weather didn't cooperate . . .
Had a great stay in Castine for 4 nights. The town is charming and quiet, although we were there late season so several of the shops and restaurants had already closed. The house is comfortable and well outfitted, with a few of the quirks one would expect for a structure that has been standing for over 200 years. Great kitchen, good shower, and comfortable beds There is a huge lobster pot that we enjoyed using after driving to Stonington for a visit to the Lobster Co-op. We also discovered the Windmill Hill Market which was a game changer! Mary was kind and easy to communicate with.
We loved being on main street watching people walk up and down the street from the living room. All three couples were comfortable in their rooms. The house is very old which brings a charm with it.
We had an excellent time in Castine, and at the Jonathan Lowder House in particular. The house is spacious & interesting to browse through, and the town around it has many nice seaside views & places to eat. The communication about check-in etc. couldn’t have been better either — we were well informed of everything beforehand. Highly recommended and thank you, Daniel!
Jeremiah L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Aug, 2021
Thanks so much. It was a complete delight having you stay at our house. Please come back sometime!
This home has so much character and the town is lovely! It offered something for everyone.
The location in town made things very accessible. We walked daily and found something new to see each day. It is also within an hour of many other attractions for fun day trips.
The hosts and property manager were easy to reach at all times for any questions or needs.
The house was great. Excellent combination of old house quirks and modern conveniences. Our 5 and 8 yr old girls loved swimming at the swimming hole by the beach, and walking to breakfast and icecream. We were mainly sailing, which was perfect. Especially mid to late afternoon.
Perfect location for Homecoming. We didnt need to drive all weekend.
We arrived late, the house was unlocked and ready for us.
The Castine Inn, next door had "All you can eat" breakfast, daily, for a great price.
Overall, a pleasant stay in beautiful Castine.
John S.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Steve R.
20 Sept, 2018
Beautiful old house with great artwork
We visited this August with 2 young boys and had a great time. The home had great charm with nice rooms, great furniture and decor, and most modern conveniences. It felt relaxing as soon as we walked in.
We cooked a lot and did laundry as well. Also, the breakfast and staff at the neighboring Castine Inn are top-notch. All in all, we had some room to breathe and a great base to explore the whole region.
Steve R.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jonathan O.
30 Aug, 2017
Lovely older Main Street house
This house is comfortable and pleasant with room for a family of four to spread out. My wife and I and two adult children got together there this week with each of the kids having a room to themselves and a shared bath, while my wife and I had the other bath. The house is old, from the 18th century, which is fitting in the town of Castine, but the kitchen is recently updated so you get the aesthetic values of an old house with the conveniences of a new one. It is right in the heart of town and convenient to everything.
Jonathan O.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Lisa H.
13 Aug, 2017
Another enjoyable stay in Castine
We returned for second year in a row, with our two teens. The town is quiet and peaceful and the Lowder House has nice amenities. A good location for day trips to Belfast, Boothbay Harbor, Acadia and Schoodic Point. Everything in the Homeaway description, met or exceeded expectations. The closest grocery store, Hannafords, is about 20 minutes away in Bucksport or there is an organic/natural foods store right by the golf course as you come into town or the T&C convenience store within walking distance of the house. Our last evening there we went to Wadsworth Cove and watched the sunset, a few other families were there too, with campfires cooking out. Just a great vibe! Thank you for another great time and good memories!
Lisa H.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
2 Aug, 2017
Beautiful and Peaceful
Filled with lovely antiques, this old home has been beautifully restored, remaining true to the period, but with modern appliances and comfortable beds. In addition, it is two blocks from Castine's harbor, and within walking distance of eateries, shops, churches, the town common, a fine museum, and the lighthouse. Castine, itself, is a gem, with interesting architecture and huge old elm and maple trees. It is a great place for down time, but also a fine base from which to explore the many wonders of the Penobscot Bay area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Lisa H.
24 Jul, 2016
A Great Vacation
We had a lovely and relaxing stay at this beautiful home. It was the perfect staging point for day trips to Acadia, Deer Island and Schoodic. We enjoyed sightseeing in Castine, particularly the historic landmarks pertaining to the Penobscot Expedition. The Castine Visitor Center was a wealth of information and the person I spoke with was very knowledgeable about the area. The Plein Air Festival was in progress while we were there, an opportunity for invited artists to paint local scenery for 3 days, culminating in a juried art exhibit, A fundraiser for the local arts organization. We also visited and swam Wadsworth Cove , a local swim beach and were delighted to watch someone parasailing. You can walk, bike or kayak to most everything in Castine. There is a Windmill Hill gardens and grocery by the golf course, where you can get tasty ingredients for an impromptu meal or the local market a 2 minute walk from the house. The house is cozy and welcoming, kitchen is well appointed to cook in, a great library of literary fiction, history , classic and contemporary fiction. We had ongoing games of Cribbage and Monopoly. We felt really special and lucky to stay in a beautiful place as Castine in such a cool house.
Lisa H.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Ronald C.
1 Jun, 2016
Charming old house
Do not be discouraged by the exterior of this house. It's a work in progress and is not an indicator of the interior. The interior has been charmingly and lovingly restored. If staying in an old house is your thing you've come to the right place. If staying in a sterile Disney style resort is your preference this may not be your choice. The house is centrally located in the heart of Maine's coastal vacation area with easy access to Camden, Belfast and Acadia National Park. If you plan on doing a lot of activities in Acadia you might want to stay in Bar Harbor overnight as returning to Castine after a tiring day on roads without street lights will be quite a challenge. Overall we had a great week in Maine.