Leslie R. Severinghaus was appointed by the Board of Directors to take on the duties of headmaster. Dr. Severinghaus joined The Haverford School in 1929 and served as head of the English department for 12 years. He was to act as headmaster until 1965.

1943
On November 29, a tremendous fire ravaged the "Oaks". The fire destroyed most of the boarding facilities, burning most of the personal property of the 47 students and various teachers who lived there. No one knows for sure how the fire started, but it is believed to have been caused by a misplaced bit of pipe ash. Fortunately, no one was injured in the blaze.

After much consideration, it was "deemed  unwise to recondition the damaged dorm facilities...", with the Board deciding to give up the boarding department and make Haverford entirely a country day school. The 60th anniversary of the school ended on a sad note, with the end of the boarding department. The students who were boarders at that time became some of the most loyal alumni the school will ever have.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In the midst of the war, the school made an administrative change. L. Cheney Smith, who served as head of the Junior School (1923-1944) joined the mathematics department of the Senior School; Dean H. Webber was appointed to head of the Junior School, a position he held until 1966.

1945
The War Memorial Fund, under the direction of William A. Wiedersheim, came into being. This fund, which began in October, would last until 1950, was started to honor the hundreds of Haverfordians, who had given their "gallant service in war, and carried our flag to hard fought victory."

The Board of Trustees decided the fund would be used to improve the facilities, especially in the field of science.

The goal of the War Memorial Fund was $400, 000.00 in order to erect a War Memorial Building.

Dates and collection of money:

December 1945 - $110,207.79
April 1946 - $178, 544.89
August 1946 - $200, 997.70
March 1947 - $218, 336.66
June 1947 - $239, 321.47
October 1948 - $288, 300.00
March 1949 - $316, 548.70
October 1949 - $323, 752.49
January 1950 - $338, 402.86
April 1950 - $345, 277.43
June 1950 - $367, 054.05

1949
The Board finds costs did not permit the erection of a separate "War Memorial" building. Instead construction of two new wings at the rear of the school (Wilson Hall) provided space for a Memorial Room, classroom, storage space for biology, chemistry, physics; and four rooms for general school purpose.

1955
The attitude was one of sadness as "the Oaks" was being torn down. Thousands of people who knew and loved "the Oaks" were heart-sickened to see it go.

As soon as "the Oaks" was torn down, a new building, which Forms I and II would occupy was built. The new building was completed in October 1955, and dedicated to Charles S. Crosman, the first headmaster of the school. The building was named Crosman Hall. In the same month, the Senior School was dedicated to Edwin M. Wilson, and named Wilson Hall.
 
 

1957
By January, approximately $300, 000 had been collected for the new Junior School, and by April, the sum topped $400,000. On Commencement Day in June, headmaster Severinghaus announced that $447, 582 had been raised, and with a few more contributions still to come, the goal would be reached. At the conclusion of the commencement exercises, a ground breaking ceremony, which included E. M. Wilson took place, long before the building was begun.

1959
After almost a year and a half, the Junior School was completed, and later dedicated in May in the name of Charles Patterson Van Pelt. He was a graduate of Haverford in 1951, who died a few years later. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Van Pelt were long time contributors to the well-being of Haverford.

The Haverford School's 75th anniversary was celebrated in 1959 with Dr. Arthur Sherwood Flemming, a member of President Eisenhower's cabinet speaking.

The school enrollment in September 1959 was 780 students.