Woods Hole School, Falmouth

The Woods Hole School, located on School Street in Woods Hole, is a historic schoolhouse that has played a vital role in the village’s educational and communal life since the 19th century. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, this two-story, wood-framed structure is a fine example of late Greek Revival architecture, later expanded in the Victorian era to accommodate the growing needs of the local population.

Built in 1870 as a two-room schoolhouse, the structure replaced an earlier school that stood near Little Harbor, which also served as a community gathering space. The current school was constructed after local landowner Joseph Story Fay donated a lot on School Street for public use in 1851. By 1885, rising enrollment prompted an expansion to four classrooms, designed by architect Samuel D. Kelley and executed by Mead, Mason & Company of New Hampshire. This expansion added staircases, entrance porches, and a cupola-enhancing the building’s distinctive profile with its two-stage belfry.

Over time, the Woods Hole School transitioned from an active public school to a center for educational programs. Today, it houses the Children’s School of Science in the summer and serves as the Woods Hole Daycare Cooperative in the winter, continuing its legacy as a space for learning and community.

With its rich history, striking architecture, and ongoing educational use, the Woods Hole School remains a cherished landmark in Falmouth, a testament to the village’s evolving needs and enduring sense of community.