The two story brick Classical Revival building was built in 1912 to a design by the architectural firm of Loring & Phipps.

The school was named for William H. McElwain (1867-1908), the founder of the William H. McElwain Shoe Company, a shoe manufacturer who was one of the major employers in Bridgewater at the turn of the 20th century.

The school's construction was approved by the town shortly before workers in the firm's Bridgewater factory went on strike.

Despite this, the town accepted land in donation from McElwain's family on which to build the school, and named it in his honor.

[2] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.