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
Our Events Calendar
All of our upcoming events - at the Brooks Estate and around the area!
Photo & Paper Archives Assistance Needed!
Calling all history buffs and organizational aficionados! M-BELT needs help with our physical archives so we can fully tell the story of the Brooks Estate and its (continuing!) history. If you have time for a project – we’d love to have your help in whatever way you’d like to be involved! This project involves sorting […]
A Tale of Two Paintings!
The paintings below are both by renowned American portrait-painter John Singer Sargent. Both paintings – one featuring Sarah Lawrence Brooks and the other featuring her daughter, Eleanor Brooks – were created in the Brooks Estate in 1890. The Sarah Lawrence Brooks painting now a part of the permanent collection at the Peabody Essex Museum in […]
Our Most Recent Milestones – Jan/Feb 2025
M-BELT has been busy here in early 2025 and we wanted to share some of our most recent milestones. Every task we complete helps move the property closer and closer to financial sustainability. -Manor bids and contractor engagement are currently taking place for some exterior and interior maintenance items this spring. These items will include […]
Grounds Manager Wanted!
We are looking for a volunteer to act as M-BELT Grounds Manager. This volunteer would act as the head of activities related to caring for the land according to Mass Audubon’s Conservation Restriction Stewardship Manual, including: Drafting and updating Baseline Documentation Work in conjunction with the Trustees of the Reservations to ensure annual monitoring activities take place Overseeing […]
On the National Register of Historic Places
The Brooks Estate is on the National Register of Historic Places! The NHRP is the United States’ federal government’s official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or great artistic value. The Brooks Estate joins other notorious buildings such as Graceland Mansion in Memphis, TN, the […]
We’re Looking For Partnerships Volunteers
The Brooks Estate is looking for 1-2 individuals to research & develop a list of contacts for potential partners – we are interested in finding local and regional businesses, schools and other organizations who we can partner with for volunteering or fundraising purposes. If you have time and knowledge of this arena and can commit […]
Our Most Recent Milestones
The M-BELT Board of Directors has accomplished some important milestones recently and we are excited to share them with everyone! Onboarded a new President of M-BELT Achieved record attendance and funds raised at this year’s Annual Picnic in July Secured city funding for updates and repairs to the Shepherd Brooks manor With the help of […]
M-BELT is Seeking an Administrative Professional!
M-BELT is Seeking an Administrative Professional! The Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust is seeking an Administrative professional to support its non-profit mission. This position will report directly to the President and also work closely with the Board of Directors as well as its Membership and Volunteers. This is a grant-funded, 1099 contractor position and all applicants […]
Join Us on August 29th at the Medford Farmer’s Market!
M-BELT is proud to be featured at the Medford Farmer’s Market Community Table this week, August 29, 2024. Come chat with our Board Members to learn more about YOUR Brooks Estate! We will have information on volunteering, becoming a member, and more! Stop by our table between 3pm-7pm at the Condon Shell, 2501 Mystic Valley […]
A Letter from Our New President
Members and stewards of the Brooks Estate: I am coming to you with immense excitement as I step into the role of President of the Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust in 2024, following the decades of love and care Tom Lincoln gave to this estate as former President. Tom, alongside the M-BELT Board members and other […]
2024 Free Annual Picnic – NEW DATE!
New Date! Due to inclement weather, this event will happen on Saturday, July 20. Learn more and meet other history and nature enthusiasts at this summer’s picnic! Also, help us celebrate the retirement of President Tom Lincoln and welcome new President Carly Nesson. Read more about the picnic, including maps, parking instructions, and a full […]
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.