The Brooks Estate
Medford, Massachusetts
Artist rendering – The Brooks Estate Plan
A Gift from the Past, a Legacy for the Future
An urban oasis with 50 acres of protected open space, the Brooks Estate in Medford, Massachusetts is a beloved environmental and historical treasure.
Nestled in a landscape of wooded paths along Grove Street in West Medford, The Brooks Estate offers sanctuary for visitors seeking escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Enjoy nature’s rich pageant year-round along The Brooks Pond habitat, where fish, migrating birds, and various forest creatures make their home.
Follow the walking path up to the majestic Shepherd Brooks Manor and Carriage House, each an architectural masterpiece and the focus of ongoing restoration for continued community benefit.
Explore
More than a collection of trails, the Brooks Estate provides a critical habitat for native and migrating birds and small mammals. Join your neighbors and stroll (or jog) on the trails, seek birds, fish in the Pond (catch and release), or simply relish the outdoors.
History
Did you know that the Brooks Estate is on the National Register of Historic Places? Learn more about the history of the Estate and how the Brooks family and generations of Medford residents have contributed to local and national history over almost four centuries.
Donate
Help support our vision of a fully-restored, self-sufficient Brooks Estate for both today and for future generations.
Latest News & Events
Spring 2024 Bird Walk
Join us as we explore the grounds of the Brooks Estate, a hidden urban oasis for early spring migrants. The first week of May can be full of early avian “scouts” who seem to arrive before the larger groups of migrants. Meet at the green gate at 7:30am on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Co-sponsored by […]
2024 Spring Spruce Up!
Join us on May 4th between 10am-2pm for our annual Spring Spruce Up! Many hands make light work, and we would appreciate Members and Volunteers to come and help us get the Manor and grounds in tip-top shape for the busy summer months. A brief task list is below, but there will be more work […]
Spring Open House
Join us on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 2p-4p for our spring Open House. Come for a look at the historic Shepherd Brooks Manor and an update on our progress on its restoration. Brief tours are given periodically; the last tour is at 3:40pm. Refreshments, of course! Please refer to the bottom of this page […]
M-BELT Seeks New President
We are sad to announce the retirement of our longtime steward, Tom Lincoln. We want to thank Tom for his leadership and many thousands of hours of hard work on the Brooks Estate over the past three decades. Tom was instrumental in shepherding the creation of the Brooks Estate from 1993-98, taking neglected land and […]
2023 Annual Meeting Notice
To the Members of the Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust, Inc. (M-BELT): Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust, Inc. (M-BELT), a Massachusetts non-profit corporation, will be held on November 30, 2023 via ZOOM, at 6:30 p.m. local time, for the following purposes: To elect a President of […]
Fall Open House
See the house surrounded by fall beauty! Refreshments & tours, donations welcome.
Fall Spruce Up
Work for an hour or a morning!
2023 Annual Picnic!
Join us for the 2023 Brooks Estate Annual Picnic! Saturday, July 15, 2023 12:00p-3:00p Tours! Raffle! Fun! As always, we supply the hot dogs, burgers and veggie burgers, and soft drinks. Attendees are kindly asked to bring/donate an item from this list: – chips/snacks – salads – fruit – cookies – juice – other grill […]
Brooks Estate Lecture Series
Medford’s Brooks Estate: A Gift from the Past, a Legacy for the Future An illustrated talk by Tom Lincoln, President, Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust (M-BELT) The Brooks Estate is 50 acres of conservation land, graced by Brooks Pond, wooded walking trails and the historic Shepherd Brooks Manor and Carriage House. Owned by the residents of […]
Bird Walk – More Early Spring Migrants!
Join us as we explore the grounds of the Brooks Estate, a hidden urban oasis for early spring migrants. The first week of May can be full of early avian “scouts” who seem to arrive before the larger groups of migrants. Meet at the green gate at 7:30am on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Co-sponsored by […]
Fieldstone Wall Restoration Update
Work Begins on Final Phase of Grove Street Wall Restoration Work has begun on the final phase of the restoration of the historic stone wall along Grove Street. The focus is on the portion of the Wall that ends at the former entrance drive for the Point of Rocks mansion, near the Winchester line. This part of the Wall […]
Spring Open House!
Come for a look at the historic Shepherd Brooks Manor and an update on our progress on its restoration. Brief tours are given periodically; the last tour is at 3:40pm. Refreshments, of course! Please refer to the bottom of this page for directions and parking. If you need accessible parking for this day only, please […]
Donate today
Donate today and continue the legacy left to our community by the Brooks family. Your monetary support will help preserve, restore, and transform the Estate into a fully-functional community destination for the enjoyment of all.