(Early 2013 Update) Please support the Brooks Estate now!

The Brooks Estate is owned by the City of Medford (MA). We have been working to protect and restore this invaluable "jewel" for over ten years. In March, 2012, The Mayor of Medford proposed $2.3 M in bond funding for the Brooks Estate restoration. This must be passed by the Medford City Council.

Important note: The Brooks Estate Bond Order was introduced to the Medford City Council on March 20, 2012. As of early March, 2013, the Medford City Council had not yet taken a vote on the Brooks Estate bond order. However, in an excellent development, the Medford City Council has passed its first (of two required) vote on a no-interest loan funding that ostensibly includes funds for the re-build of the Brooks Estate access drive. (One more vote is required.)

We need your help.

1. Please send an e-mail to the Medford City Council at Cloaking . Thank them for their support of the Brooks Estate access drive, but ask them to schedule the vote on the Brooks Estate Bond order.

Or, a list of individual City Councilors is found at www.medford.org/Pages/MedfordMA_Council/index. Please note that Councilors Camuso and Maiocco have been recused and will not be voting on this matter.

2. If you are not on our e-mail list, please send us a message to Cloaking . We'll keep you updated.

3. As soon as we know that the bond vote has been scheduled, we'll let you know!

The Brooks Estate Master Plan

The Brooks Estate Master Plan details the long-term vision for the Brooks Estate, including the further restoration of the Shepherd Brooks Manor, Carriage House and the natural and historic landscape. The central goal of the Plan is to complete the basic restoration of the property to:

• maximize its community potential
• ensure that it is financially self-sufficient
• maintain its natural and historic values
• provide funds for other improvements

The Brooks Estate Master Plan is a careful, professional and conservative roadmap to ensure public benefit and long-term sustainability for the beautiful Brooks Estate.

The Brooks Estate Master Plan was provided to the Medford City Council, the City of Medford, and the public in January, 2012. It is also available on this Web site (see below).

Overview of the Brooks Estate Master Plan Please click here: Master_Plan_Overview.pdf

Complete Brooks Estate Master Plan

This is a large document and has been broken into sections - click on any section to read/download in pdf format:

1 - Intro and Table of Contents (255 KB)
2 - Executive Summary (1.18 MB) (Overview, goals, etc.)
3 - History of the Brooks Estate (1.54 MB) (1660 to 2011)
4 / 4a - Landscape Restoration - Intro and Overall Landscape (6.36 MB)
4b / 4c - Landscape Restoration - Pond, Drive and Historic Core (3.3 MB)
5 - Manor Restoration (255 KB)
6 - Carriage House Restoration (4.29 MB)
7 - Business Plan (2.17 MB) Includes additional Charts provided in response to the Medford City Council (September, 2012)
8 - Conclusion (114 KB)
9 - Appendix: Documents and Photos (3.61 MB)

A New Brooks Estate Feature for Your Enjoyment!

Brooks Family Medford Heritage Trail

Doug Carr of M-BELT created (and premiered) the fabulous Brooks Family Heritage Trail in Medford, showing 15 sites connected to the Brooks family and their three century history in Medford. You may walk, bike or drive the Trail, starting at the Salem Street Burial Ground (Medford Square) and ending at the Brooks Estate on Grove Street. A handy Map accompanies each Guide.

Download the Trail Guide (long version) (PDF, 5.3 MB)

Download the Trail Guide (short version) (PDF 1.3 MB)

Getting There

The Brooks Estate is located on Grove Street in Medford, MA, about 5 miles North of Boston, 0.8 mile north of High Street (Route 60). Park off Grove Street and walk in at green gate just north of Cemetery. (Do not park in the cemetery.) Detailed map.

On Foot -- accessible from Grove Street (green gate) or through Oak Grove Cemetery (from Playstead Road side.)

By Public Transit -- take 80 or 94 bus from Davis Square (Somerville) or 94 bus from Medford Square (Medford) to corner of Boston Avenue and High Street. Walk up Grove Street.