Theodore Thomas

"The Conductor Who Shaped American Orchestras"

(1835-1905)

Theodore Thomas, American’s first renowned orchestra leader and founder of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, had a summer home surrounded by spacious gardens at the northeast corner of Adams and Spring streets from 1887 until shortly before his death in 1905. He was born in Germany in 1835 and was playing violin in public concerts at the age of six. Coming to America at the age of ten, he played in many bands and orchestras, eventually conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and others. In 1891 he began the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Fairhaven summer home, purchased by Thomas’ first wife Minna, later became the home of the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts.

All historical information on this page was researched and written by Christopher Richard, who served as Fairhaven’s Tourism Director from 1996 to 2024.