Restoration Update

Shepherd Brooks Manor exterior before new windows and shutters (April, 2003)
Photo by Doug Carr, M-BELT

2003 saw significant progress in the restoration of both the Shepherd Brooks Manor and Carriage House.

Manor

The Windows Restoration Project was completed at the end of 2003. The project included: complete replacement of all 70 windows, including reglazing of broken or missing glass; removal of inappropriate exterior storm windows; restoration of historic, and addition of functioning wood shutters (painted in their correct historic color - a beautiful, rich green). The project cost of $145,000 was funded by the City of Medford and a substantial contribution from the Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust (M-BELT), sponsors of this Web site.

New shutters on third floor (19th century style, double-folding) (January, 2004)
Photo by Doug Carr, M-BELT

The restored windows are a major step forward for the Manor; added to the roof restoration, the Manor is starting to "shine" like the Victorian architectural gem it is. With the completion of the Windows Project, the Manor exterior is substantially restored, except for the West Porch and one more chimney (which we hope to bid out in early 2004).

Based on the Adaptive Reuse Plan, a detailed plan is being developed for the Shepherd Brooks Manor's interior, including hardware and fixtures details, long-term planning for each room, and appropriate Victorian furniture and decor.

3-D View of proposed Carriage House Interior Plan. Summer, 2003

Carriage House

For the Carriage House, we hired an intern from the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), who worked full-time with the M-BELT Restoration Committee to develop a similar plan for the Carriage House. She finished a full set of computerized drawings, including adaptive re-use plans, 3-D views, and measured drawings which will be used in our Master Plan.

This 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.

The rebirth of these historic 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.