Sawin, Ezekiel, House
Also known as: Howland House
Why it's listed
Set on a graded mound above William and Washington streets in Fairhaven, this two-story wood frame mansion was built between 1840 and 1844 for Ezekiel R. Sawin, president of the Fairhaven Bank during the height of the whaling boom. A five-bay facade, a one-story fluted Doric verandah, a set-back attic with balustrade, and wide corner pilasters without capitals mark it as an outstanding Greek Revival design. Inside, a center-hall plan holds an elliptical cantilevered stair under a skylight, plaster medallions, and black and gold marble mantels. Evidence of early heating, cistern and water-tank systems also survives. No architect has been identified, though the nomination considers Russell Warren the most likely candidate, and a pencilled name, Whitfield, probably refers to a carpenter. The house passed to the Howland family in 1867. The nomination values it for its unaltered condition and for having no stylistic counterpart in Fairhaven.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the most elaborate dwelling house extant in Fairhaven and an outstanding example of Greek Revival style, unlike any other local building. It has never been significantly altered and retains its original woodwork, trim and evidence of early service systems. It is also tied to Sawin, whose residence coincided with the whaling-era prosperity of Fairhaven, and to the Howland family.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79000327, listed June 15, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 44 William St., Fairhaven |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | June 15, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000327 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1840-1844 |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; builder perhaps "Whitfield" |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, private residence, in excellent condition and unaltered on its original site. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 41.63698, -70.90425 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79000327.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5423165
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.