The Red Barn

The Red Barn was built in the mid-19th century for Winslow Fairbanks (1800–1880) on Fairbanks Farm, where he lived with his wife, Maria Knowlton Fairbanks (1809–1890), and their two children. The farm remained in the family for two generations and was considered one of the best and most productive farms in Holden. Worcester Polytechnic Institute acquired the Fairbanks Farm in the 1920’s to supplement the landholdings of its nearby Alden Hydraulic Laboratory. Alden Lab used the barn for storage, and the Fairbanks farmhouse, which stood in front of the barn, served as housing for WPI Civil Engineering students attending summer programs. The farmhouse was demolished in about 1938.
In 1994, after Alden Lab became a private enterprise, WPI sold 14.6 acres to Rutland builder Clealand Blair, Sr. Blair subdivided part of the land for houses and in February of 2000 gave the barn and 7.7 acres to a non-profit organization, The Friends of the Red Barn, Inc. With many improvements to the barn and grounds now complete, the Friends invite the public to Farm Days that highlight agriculture and farm life.