Submitted by the Fairhaven Historical Commission
Thank you for your recent article covering the meeting of the Fairhaven Historical Commission (03-06-25 issue); it is very rare that the work of the Commission receives any notice at all. It is, of course, unfortunate that it took a meeting filled with drama and negativity to merit coverage, but that is to be expected given the nature of social discourse in these times.
That said, we would like to point out the many positive acts that the Fairhaven Historical Commission has provided for the town over the past 18 months. Contrary to what may have been quoted in your article, the current makeup of the commission is very active in both maintaining and promoting the buildings & properties under the care of the Commission.
One of the major activities that has occurred under the current Commission is the reopening of the Old Stone Schoolhouse, a property that had been shut off to public view for many years. Current chair Michael Kelly took it upon himself to do the cleaning and restoration work needed to reopen the school. Since our first opening in 2023, we have welcomed 500 visitors from as nearby as North Street to as far away as Texas, Spain, and Japan to this remarkable property.
The most often heard statement from local guests upon entering the schoolhouse is, “I have been by this place 100s of times, and always wanted to see inside.”
Mr. Kelly invested over $1,000 of his personal funds into the Old Stone Schoolhouse, and has never once asked for reimbursement or recognition, and neither wants nor asks for them now.
Furthermore, Commission members Rick Martin, Nate Bekemeier, Alyssa Botelho and Michael Kelly have collectively pledged over $4,000 of their own money to the replacement and improvement of the Fort Phoenix flagpole, likewise without need nor expectation of recognition. Every current member has volunteered their time and labor to help maintain these properties, as well as making them open and available to the public.
We point this out to contest any negative impression of the commission that may exist, and dispel any notion that the members are anything but active and committed. For further proof, we are not stopping there: the Commission hopes to open at least one of the old firehouses to the public this year as well.
Additionally, the Commission has begun working with other town and regional departments in ways that simply were not occurring until very recently. We have established a strong working relationship with the Office of Veterans Services, Discover Fairhaven and the Fairhaven Historical Society. We have begun to repair the relationship with The New Bedford Whaling Museum, understanding the value of supporting and collaborating with other local institutions that share our values and our goals.
We have applied for grants to ensure that our treasured properties are maintained and improved without drawing upon scarce taxpayer dollars and are hopeful that we will soon be able to embark on major projects at the Academy Building and Fort Phoenix, ensuring that these properties remain open and available to citizens and visitors for generations to come. All of this is part of the public record, and can be verified as fact.
It would be helpful to remind your readers, and the citizens of Fairhaven, that the Fairhaven Historical Commission is made up entirely of volunteers. Some of us maintain demanding, full-time jobs, and yet find time to donate our time and efforts on behalf of Fairhaven. It is our hope that moving forward, the Commission will be recognized as a group of people who selflessly and diligently work on behalf of the town and its citizens, with no hidden agendas and no need for dramatics.
We would welcome you and your readers to attend our meetings and, more importantly, visit and enjoy the properties that have now been made available to the public by the tireless work of the current members of the Fairhaven Historical Commission.
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