Where was The Holdovers filmed? The Barton School and all the locations
Posted by Ra Moon
Set in 1970 at a New England boarding school, The Holdovers was entirely filmed in Massachusetts.
Featuring beautiful photography and locations, the story revolves around a grumpy, unpopular teacher, a rebellious 15-year-old student, and the school's African-American cook, who is grieving the loss of her son in Vietnam.
Featuring beautiful photography and locations, the story revolves around a grumpy, unpopular teacher, a rebellious 15-year-old student, and the school's African-American cook, who is grieving the loss of her son in Vietnam.
In the midst of the Christmas holidays, they find themselves unexpectedly united during their stay at the Barton Academy.
Paul Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, the classics teacher, and Dominic Sessa is Angus Tully, the Barton student stuck on campus during the Christmas break. Rounding out the main cast is Da'Vine Joy Randolph as the school's head cook, Mary Lamb.
Welcome to Barton Academy and our spoiler-free guide to all the filming locations of The Holdovers. You'll find the locations in chronological order.
The Holdovers Locations
The establishing shots of Barton, the town where the school is located were filmed in Shelburne Falls, nestled in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.
This picturesque town embodies New England charm, with its preserved 19th-century buildings, galleries, and artisan shops.
(You can open all the locations on Google Maps by clicking on the links below in the captions ↴)
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
The Holdovers School
There is a real Barton Academy in Alabama, but The Holdovers' boarding school is actually an amalgam of Massachusetts locations.
Pictured, a building of the prestigious Deerfield Academy. Founded in 1797, this school holds a rich history in its quaint campus, steeped in tradition.
The building pictured is the Alumni Hall (West Hall) at the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill.
Founded in 1879, this renowned co-educational boarding and day school has a scenic campus along the Connecticut River.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
The dining hall is the one at St. Mark's School in Southborough.
The headmaster's office, the kitchen, the gym, and Angus's phone scene were also filmed here.
Established in 1865, the school's historic campus spans over 250 acres.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
Both the interior and the exterior of the church were filmed in the Memorial Chapel at Northfield Mount Hermon School.
Positioned strategically, the chapel commands sweeping views of the Connecticut River, amplifying the serenity and significance of its role as a gathering space.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
But the huge stained-glass window with the First World War inscription was filmed in the Groton School chapel.
St. John's Chapel was built in the early 20th century and reflects the classic New England architectural style.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
The scene where most of the alumni are going back home for the Christmas break is again, the Deerfield Academy campus.
The study room with the green lamps was also filmed here, in the reception area of the main school building.
The scene of the Christmas tree, pictured, was filmed at the Northfield Mount Hermon campus.
However, the classroom was filmed at a different location, the Fairhaven High School.
Known for its stunning architecture, this gorgeous 19th-century building features intricate details reminiscent of a French chateau with its grand turrets, arched windows, and elegant stonework.
The interior rooms boast high ceilings, ornate moldings, and expansive windows that flood the spaces with natural light.
Image courtesy of Focus Features and Kenneth C. Zirkel - Map
The scene where Teddy throws one of Alex's mittens into the river was filmed at the Groton School Boathouse.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
The piano scene was filmed at Fairhaven High School's auditorium.
With its vaulted ceiling and intricate woodwork, this magnificent theater is the centerpiece of the institution, renowned for its exquisite design and acoustics.
The interior of Winning Ticket was filmed at the Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale.
According to one of our readers, this restaurant has no pinball machines in the bar area, but they do make great pizza and the vibe is good.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
The Winning Ticket dinner exterior was filmed in what seems to be a liquor store on Water Street in Shelburne Falls.
Built in 1880, the Truss Bridge located around the corner is an iron engineering marvel.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
The Christmas tree vendor scene was filmed in a parking lot just next to the Winning Ticket exterior.
The town was also featured in the 2021 Showtime series Dexter: New Blood, doubling as Iron Lake, NY.
The previous short scene of Paul driving the car through a snowy landscape was filmed on Barns Hill Road and Linden Street in Berlin, MA.
On their way to Boston, there are quick snippets of one of the Bigelow Carpet Mill complex buildings and Central Park with the Soldiers' Monument in Clinton.
One cool detail: the One Dalton building and also the 111 Huntington Avenue in the Prudential Center were removed from the Boston skyline to bring the setting back to 1970.
Image courtesy of Focus Features and Google Maps
As the local press reported, some scenes were filmed at the Somerville's Spring Hill neighborhood in Boston.
This is Mary's sister's house location, which in the movie is located in the Roxbury neighborhood.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
After an establishing shot of Faneuil Hall in Government Center, there is the sequence filmed at the Brattle Book Shop at 9 West Street in Boston.
Established in 1825, this is one of America's oldest antiquarian bookshops, featuring an iconic open-air sale lot.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Maps: Faneuil Hall / Bookstore
Paul and Angus also visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Known for its vast holdings of Impressionist paintings and Egyptian artifacts, the museum houses an expansive collection of over 450,000 artworks from diverse cultures and periods.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
The skating rink scene was not filmed in Boston, but in Worcester, in front of the city hall.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
The liquor store is the Federal Wine and Spirits at 29 State Street, just across the street from the Old State House in Boston Downton.
As one of our readers commented, the cashier is the store owner, Joe Howell.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
After that, they walk to the corner of Bromfield and Province Streets.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
The Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge combines historic elegance with modern comfort.
Built in 1927, you can stay at this imposing hotel from around $250 per double room per night.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
The snowy graveyard is the Central Burying Ground on Boston Common.
Established in 1756, this cemetery serves as the resting place for various historical figures including painter Gilbert Stuart and composer William Billings.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
Paul and Angus walk to the Chinatown Gate, the landmark that welcomes visitors to this vibrant neighborhood, a melting pot of Asian culture.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
The candlepin bowling scene was filmed at the Wakefield Bowladrome.
Opened in 1958, the Bowladrome's retro charm and friendly atmosphere make it a classic gathering place for a game or two.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
The duo watches Little Big Man, starring Dustin Hoffman at the Somerville Theatre in Somerville.
Built in 1914, this vintage venue still hosts a wide array of performances, including films, live music, comedy shows, and theatrical productions.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
However, the exterior is the Orpheum Theatre in Boston.
This historic venue first opened its doors in 1852, originally as a music hall.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Map
The sanatorium is actually the EF International Language Campus building, located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
Mary, Paul, and Angus dine at the Continental Restaurant in Saugus before heading back to Barton.
But the special Cherries Jubilee dessert was served outside The Chateau in Waltham, one of the town's oldest restaurants specializing in Italian-American cuisine.
Image courtesy of Focus Features - Maps: The Continental / The Chateau
The final scenes were filmed back at Deerfield Academy.
Image courtesy of Miramax - Map
Can you help to improve this article about the filming locations of The Holdovers? To complete and correct this report, any feedback, info, or images that you may have are more than welcome, thank you!
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NOTICE: If you’re using this information on your website, please credit and link to this page as a source.
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30 comments:
1- Anonymous - Nov 30, 2023, 10:15 PM
The bowling was candlepin bowling, not the usual 10-pin.
2- Anonymous - Dec 2, 2023, 8:28 PM
The first Northfield Mt. Hermon location in this article is the West Hall (the dining hall for NMH) rather than “Alumni Hall.” Additionally, the entrance to the Sanitarium is also the main entrance to Northfield Mt Hermon.
3- Marie - Dec 3, 2023, 4:30 AM
The exterior of the restaurant where Mary, Paul, and Angus have dinner before returning to Barton is the Chateau in Waltham. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Waltham and serves Italian-American food.
4- Anonymous - Dec 4, 2023, 3:02 AM
The movie theater lobby as Angus is leaving is actually from the Somerville Theater in Somerville, MA.
5- Anonymous - Dec 8, 2023, 12:41 PM
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that the John Hancock building was "erased" from the skyline shot to get the setting back to 1970. You can see the Pru, but no John Hancock, good job!
6- Anonymous - Dec 9, 2023, 3:40 AM
In the final scene, he is pulling out of Deerfield Academy, with its baseball field on the left, onto Highway 5.
7- Anonymous - Dec 9, 2023, 7:53 PM
The interior of the Winning Ticket is the Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale. No pinball machines in the bar side in real life, but great pizza and vibe.
8- Anonymous - Dec 10, 2023, 4:27 PM
The baseball field at Deerfield is toward the back of the campus, not adjacent to Route 5.
1- Anonymous - Nov 30, 2023, 10:15 PM
The bowling was candlepin bowling, not the usual 10-pin.
2- Anonymous - Dec 2, 2023, 8:28 PM
The first Northfield Mt. Hermon location in this article is the West Hall (the dining hall for NMH) rather than “Alumni Hall.” Additionally, the entrance to the Sanitarium is also the main entrance to Northfield Mt Hermon.
3- Marie - Dec 3, 2023, 4:30 AM
The exterior of the restaurant where Mary, Paul, and Angus have dinner before returning to Barton is the Chateau in Waltham. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Waltham and serves Italian-American food.
4- Anonymous - Dec 4, 2023, 3:02 AM
The movie theater lobby as Angus is leaving is actually from the Somerville Theater in Somerville, MA.
5- Anonymous - Dec 8, 2023, 12:41 PM
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that the John Hancock building was "erased" from the skyline shot to get the setting back to 1970. You can see the Pru, but no John Hancock, good job!
6- Anonymous - Dec 9, 2023, 3:40 AM
In the final scene, he is pulling out of Deerfield Academy, with its baseball field on the left, onto Highway 5.
7- Anonymous - Dec 9, 2023, 7:53 PM
The interior of the Winning Ticket is the Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale. No pinball machines in the bar side in real life, but great pizza and vibe.
8- Anonymous - Dec 10, 2023, 4:27 PM
The baseball field at Deerfield is toward the back of the campus, not adjacent to Route 5.
9- Anonymous - Dec 13, 2023, 6:57 PM
As an alumnus of St. Mark’s, I can verify that, in addition to the dining hall scenes, the following scenes were filmed there:
Headmaster’s Office
Kitchen/food prep areas
Angus's phone call outside of the dining hall is the main ground floor corridor at St. Mark’s.
The phone call scene continues at Elkins Field House (renamed since I was there) and upstairs to the gymnasium where Angus injures himself (although it appears that it is a continuous shot from the dining hall corridor, you would really need to go outside and walk about 100 yards to the field house).
After the holiday break is over, another scene at the gym shows the basketball court again (see St Mark’s banner in the upper left on the gym wall) and rowing machines The last scene in the Headmaster’s office, when Angus’ parents are visiting. Also adjoining administrative office space (where Mary arrives and holds hands with Angus).
I don’t have photos but feel free to add them. Hope this helps!
10- Anonymous - Dec 18, 2023, 11:37 PM
The liquor store scene was filmed at Federal Wine and Spirits on 29 State Street in Boston. The cashier in the film is the store owner, Joe Howell. The building is a historic site.
11- Anonymous - Dec 28, 2023, 7:31 AM
Actually, there is a baseball field right there in the final scene pictured, however it's town property and was the baseball field for the adjacent Deerfield Grammar School. And yes, as a previous poster mentioned, Deerfield Academy's field is at the back of its campus.
12- Anonymous - Dec 29, 2023, 6:55 PM
Very interesting!
As an alumnus of St. Mark’s, I can verify that, in addition to the dining hall scenes, the following scenes were filmed there:
Headmaster’s Office
Kitchen/food prep areas
Angus's phone call outside of the dining hall is the main ground floor corridor at St. Mark’s.
The phone call scene continues at Elkins Field House (renamed since I was there) and upstairs to the gymnasium where Angus injures himself (although it appears that it is a continuous shot from the dining hall corridor, you would really need to go outside and walk about 100 yards to the field house).
After the holiday break is over, another scene at the gym shows the basketball court again (see St Mark’s banner in the upper left on the gym wall) and rowing machines The last scene in the Headmaster’s office, when Angus’ parents are visiting. Also adjoining administrative office space (where Mary arrives and holds hands with Angus).
I don’t have photos but feel free to add them. Hope this helps!
10- Anonymous - Dec 18, 2023, 11:37 PM
The liquor store scene was filmed at Federal Wine and Spirits on 29 State Street in Boston. The cashier in the film is the store owner, Joe Howell. The building is a historic site.
11- Anonymous - Dec 28, 2023, 7:31 AM
Actually, there is a baseball field right there in the final scene pictured, however it's town property and was the baseball field for the adjacent Deerfield Grammar School. And yes, as a previous poster mentioned, Deerfield Academy's field is at the back of its campus.
12- Anonymous - Dec 29, 2023, 6:55 PM
Very interesting!
13- Anonymous - Dec 31, 2023, 4:18 PM
In the scene by the river, Teddy takes one of Alex's mittens and tosses it in the river. Alex then walks down and throws his other mitten into the water. In real life, this is the Nashua River and it runs right past Groton School's dock and boathouse, which you can see in the scene. Groton is always competitive in the New England High School rowing scene.
14- Anonymous - Jan 1, 2024, 8:37 PM
It's been mentioned that it's Candlepin, at the Wakefield Bowladrome, but that's partly because 10-pin is relatively rare in the Boston area, and it's cheaper, too! I grew up exclusively bowling with candlepins. There's another around the corner and down the street from the Somerville Theater, Sacco's, but it's not as pretty, roomy, or quite so classic retro. Candlepin is fairly common in New England generally, and even north into eastern Canada.
15- Anonymous - Jan 2, 2024, 11:30 AM
In addition to the NMH chapel interiors, some "b-roll" is used in the interior of the Groton Chapel (huge stained-glass window with WWI inscription and other memorial stones (with names changed)). If you look closely you can see FDR's memorial stone.
Reply
16- Ra Moon - Jan 2, 2024, 7:01 PM
Thank you all, updated!
17- Anonymous - Jan 6, 2024, 7:27 PM
The pinball machines might have been there in the early '70s. The pinball machine being played is a Gottlieb Domino, which was released on September 1968.
18- Anonymous - Jan 8, 2024, 11:40 AM
The driving scene, right before the Christmas tree lot that passes by a farm, was filmed at the corner of Linden St and Barnes Hill Road in Berlin, MA. My buddy who lives nearby said it was a full day of prep and a full day of shooting, just for that quick second of footage.
19- Anonymous - Jan 9, 2024, 3:14 PM
Correction: the Christmas dinner was filmed inside the Continental Restaurant in Saugus.
In the scene by the river, Teddy takes one of Alex's mittens and tosses it in the river. Alex then walks down and throws his other mitten into the water. In real life, this is the Nashua River and it runs right past Groton School's dock and boathouse, which you can see in the scene. Groton is always competitive in the New England High School rowing scene.
14- Anonymous - Jan 1, 2024, 8:37 PM
It's been mentioned that it's Candlepin, at the Wakefield Bowladrome, but that's partly because 10-pin is relatively rare in the Boston area, and it's cheaper, too! I grew up exclusively bowling with candlepins. There's another around the corner and down the street from the Somerville Theater, Sacco's, but it's not as pretty, roomy, or quite so classic retro. Candlepin is fairly common in New England generally, and even north into eastern Canada.
15- Anonymous - Jan 2, 2024, 11:30 AM
In addition to the NMH chapel interiors, some "b-roll" is used in the interior of the Groton Chapel (huge stained-glass window with WWI inscription and other memorial stones (with names changed)). If you look closely you can see FDR's memorial stone.
Reply
16- Ra Moon - Jan 2, 2024, 7:01 PM
Thank you all, updated!
17- Anonymous - Jan 6, 2024, 7:27 PM
The pinball machines might have been there in the early '70s. The pinball machine being played is a Gottlieb Domino, which was released on September 1968.
18- Anonymous - Jan 8, 2024, 11:40 AM
The driving scene, right before the Christmas tree lot that passes by a farm, was filmed at the corner of Linden St and Barnes Hill Road in Berlin, MA. My buddy who lives nearby said it was a full day of prep and a full day of shooting, just for that quick second of footage.
19- Anonymous - Jan 9, 2024, 3:14 PM
Correction: the Christmas dinner was filmed inside the Continental Restaurant in Saugus.
20- Anonymous - Jan 11, 2024, 3:23 PM
So cool to see my haunts in a feature film!
21- Peter Graves - Jan 20, 2024, 8:31 PM
Not a comment, but a query, please. Were all those 1970s-appropriate cars actual ones, especially those passing by on the other side(s)? Or (as I am expecting) CGO-inserts?
22- Anonymous - Jan 25, 2024, 6:21 PM
That Boston Chinatown gate wasn't built until 1982. It was donated by the Taiwanese government.
23- Anonymous - Feb 1, 2024, 6:37 AM
Was that St. Marks outside the Headmaster's office, toward the end of the movie? But I want to know where the headmaster's office was filmed inside at the beginning of the movie. Did that get covered? I am obsessing over this. I think it was the Gardiner Room at Groton.
24- Anonymous - Feb 3, 2024, 7:28 PM
In the 70s, the big statue of Juno that’s in that shot at the MFA was in a private garden in Brookline and local kids used to sneak in to drink and smoke around her. It was only brought inside about 10 years ago.
25- Anonymous - Feb 12, 2024, 5:13 PM
When they come out of the subway station in Boston, the interior shows the “Oak Grove” station on the orange line. That station wasn't built til 1977.
26- Anonymous - Feb 12, 2024, 8:31 PM
Well done indeed.
27- Patrice Dupuis - Feb 17, 2024, 10:43 PM
There is one scene where they walk by a window that reads "Liquor store open Sundays 12 - 5." I do believe you would not see that in 1970, as the blue laws were still in effect. Most places were not open on Sundays.
28- Anonymous - Mar 23, 2024, 7:25 PM
Friends of mine lived in that Somerville apartment in the late aughts. Went to many a party there!
29- Anonymous - May 19, 2024, 5:55 AM
Just want to say how much I love the premise and content on this site. My thanks to everyone who contributed.
30- Anonymous - Oct 21, 2024, 8:32 AM
The film stirred so many emotions when I watched it as an alumnus of one of the schools featured: pride, knowing humor, and some sadness (for some fellow students I knew who did not have the same positive experiences I had). It also captured the diversity of the school's student bodies, even dating as far back as the 80s (it took place in 1970, but I wasn't around then). Wonderful film.
So cool to see my haunts in a feature film!
21- Peter Graves - Jan 20, 2024, 8:31 PM
Not a comment, but a query, please. Were all those 1970s-appropriate cars actual ones, especially those passing by on the other side(s)? Or (as I am expecting) CGO-inserts?
22- Anonymous - Jan 25, 2024, 6:21 PM
That Boston Chinatown gate wasn't built until 1982. It was donated by the Taiwanese government.
23- Anonymous - Feb 1, 2024, 6:37 AM
Was that St. Marks outside the Headmaster's office, toward the end of the movie? But I want to know where the headmaster's office was filmed inside at the beginning of the movie. Did that get covered? I am obsessing over this. I think it was the Gardiner Room at Groton.
24- Anonymous - Feb 3, 2024, 7:28 PM
In the 70s, the big statue of Juno that’s in that shot at the MFA was in a private garden in Brookline and local kids used to sneak in to drink and smoke around her. It was only brought inside about 10 years ago.
25- Anonymous - Feb 12, 2024, 5:13 PM
When they come out of the subway station in Boston, the interior shows the “Oak Grove” station on the orange line. That station wasn't built til 1977.
26- Anonymous - Feb 12, 2024, 8:31 PM
Well done indeed.
27- Patrice Dupuis - Feb 17, 2024, 10:43 PM
There is one scene where they walk by a window that reads "Liquor store open Sundays 12 - 5." I do believe you would not see that in 1970, as the blue laws were still in effect. Most places were not open on Sundays.
28- Anonymous - Mar 23, 2024, 7:25 PM
Friends of mine lived in that Somerville apartment in the late aughts. Went to many a party there!
29- Anonymous - May 19, 2024, 5:55 AM
Just want to say how much I love the premise and content on this site. My thanks to everyone who contributed.
30- Anonymous - Oct 21, 2024, 8:32 AM
The film stirred so many emotions when I watched it as an alumnus of one of the schools featured: pride, knowing humor, and some sadness (for some fellow students I knew who did not have the same positive experiences I had). It also captured the diversity of the school's student bodies, even dating as far back as the 80s (it took place in 1970, but I wasn't around then). Wonderful film.
Ra Moon
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