Fairhaven, MA

Fairhaven is a small seaside town located on the SouthCoast where the Acushnet River flows into Buzzards Bay, an arm of the Atlantic. The town shares a harbor with the city of New Bedford and is well known for its whaling and fishing heritage.

Among the town's remarkable features are the magnificent European style public buildings built between 1885-1906 by Standard Oil millionaire, Henry Huttleston Rogers, a town native. Rogers and his wife, also a Fairhaven native, donated many community improvements in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century including a grammar school, a luxurious high school, the Town Hall, the Unitarian Memorial Church, the Tabitha Inn, the Millicent Library and a modern water and sewer system. The structures were erected to top quality construction standards with amazing architecture of the time and most are still in regular use today. Visiting Fairhaven you will find a public state beach overlooking Buzzards Bay, several recreational marinas, historical buildings, free walking tours, a number of unique shops, restaurants, bed and breakfast establishments and rental cottages.

Zips: 02719

Fairhaven Attractions

Millicent Library

Donated to the town by the family of Millicent Gifford Rogers, the youngest daughter wealthy industrialist Henry Huttleston Rogers. The Richardsonian Romanesque style library was dedicated in 1893.

Fort Phoenix State Reservation

Small state park on Buzzards Bay. The reservation is adjacent to Fort Phoenix, an American Revolutionary war fort and national landmark. According to legend, the first naval battle of the Revolution was fought here. Go

Unitarian Memorial Church

Donated to the Unitarians in 1904. All woodwork is English bog oak and no two carvings are alike on the 32 pews, pulpit, organ pipe cases, choir screen or doors.

Fairhaven Town Hall

Historic town hall in the center of town. The brick and stone High Victorian Gothic Hall was built in 1892 and was listed on the National Registry of Historic places in 1981.

Eat, Shop, Stay Fairhaven

SouthCoast Fairhaven, MA Listings

Fairhaven, MA