Historic Fairhaven High School

Project Location: Fairhaven, MA 

This iconic high school was built in 1905 and was voted the “most beautiful” public high school in the state of Massachusetts by Architectural Digest in 2017. The high school was generously donated to the Town of Fairhaven by Henry Huttleston Rogers who was one of the key men in the John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Trust and was designed by the late Charles Brigham.

The high school is also registered with both the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the National Register of Historic Places. The architecture is a great example of Tudor Architecture with Gothic influences with picturesque roofline studded with gables topped by iron finials and rich carved stonework.

A little fun fact the Fairhaven High was the first American high school to have an indoor basketball court. Also, most recently the school was used as a filming location for the 2023 film “ The Holdover” movie.

We commend the Fairhaven School Committee, Town of Fairhaven and most importantly the town’s residents for their committed effort in preserving what in my mind is truly an architectural masterpiece and a must see. I believe the Fairhaven Historic Commission offers guided tours “ highly recommended “