Restoration Update

The rebirth of the historic Shepherd Brooks Manor and Carriage House buildings is but one piece of the total experience at the Brooks Estate. Open space, habitat, historic landscape and buildings all work in harmony to ensure the legacy that we have inherited, and that we will leave for future generations.

For a view of the overall vision, please see Brooks Estate Master Plan. (pdf)

Shepherd Brooks Manor

The restoration of the Manor has made tremendous progress. Major accomplishments include:

Exterior

• slate roof, gutters
• 70 windows/shutters
• 5 rebuilt chimneys
• door and trim painting
• complete new West Porch

Shepherd Brooks Manor after major exterior work.

Interior

• plumbing and electrical upgrades
• new upstairs bath, new ADA restroom
• new boiler/ hot water heater, new oil tanks
• interior wall/ceiling repairs and painting, floor sanding
• energy-saving measures, security system
• numerous other improvements

Carriage House

Painting the Carriage House front door

The Carriage House has been preserved, tightened and generally prepared for its total re-build. Currently, it does not have any utilities, for example.

Major accomplishments to date include:

Exterior

• roof repairs
• door repair
• trim painting
• brick re-pointing

Interior

• removal of loose slate from loft
• protection of carriage lift artifacts
• brick storage

Computerized image - interior of the restored Carriage House

A Restored Carriage House

The Carriage House restoration will include replacement of missing architectural elements (to restore exterior to its original 1880 grandeur) and the creation of a contemporary multi-use interior. The Carriage House will provide Medford with a first-class function facility suitable for a variety of events: community meetings, social events, lectures, presentations, art and cultural events, etc.

In addition, the Carriage House will help provide an economic engine to maintain the Brooks Estate in perpetuity as a community asset available to all and for all.