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 supporters, has spent considerable time and energy protecting the Brooks Estate from the terrible fate of being lost to history; these efforts included the creation of the Brooks Estate Preservation Association, the predecessor of the Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust as a nonprofit entity. Additionally, the physical work of caring for the manor and the grounds has been tremendous. Improvements to the exterior and interior of the Shepherd Brooks Manor and carriage house, rationalization of trail system and wetland work, removal of invasive species across the grounds, and a boardwalk to enhance the enjoyment of the pond are just a few of the landmark projects that have taken place under his leadership.
Now, the Brooks Estate is entering into a new era of visibility, appreciation, and support. As part of a public-private partnership with the city of Medford, we have been fortunate to receive some funding for improvement projects. However, if you ask many Medford residents if they are familiar with the Brooks Estate – especially those who have not grown up here – the common answer is “No, what is that?” (Side note: I love to tell people about the Brooks Estate for the first time and watch them get excited!) The Brooks Estate is a hidden oasis in Medford, and with more visibility comes more appreciation. With more appreciation comes more support. With more support, the future of the Brooks Estate is beautiful: a financially self-sustaining property meant to be enjoyed by Medford residents for generations to come.
As incoming President of the Brooks Estate, I bring my passion for connecting people and projects to affect change in a tangible way. My professional history has been spent working in and with nonprofits; currently, I coordinate pro bono projects for a tech company to help nonprofits use software. My greatest strength will be bringing a new look on volunteerism and membership engagement to M-BELT.
Here’s the part I really want you to grab hold of: You are a part of this future. The fact that you are reading this letter means that you are at least aware of the Brooks Estate (visibility ✔), you likely understand why it’s important (appreciation ✔) and you have some amount of desire to see it flourish (support ✔). As we give you opportunities to turn your support into action, please consider digging in:
- Spread the word: Find a friend who hasn’t yet heard of the Brooks Estate or visited the grounds. Show them around and get them excited, or bring them to an upcoming event!
- Make your voice heard: Join us at an upcoming M-BELT Board Meeting to hear progress updates and join the conversation. Meeting dates are listed on the events page on our website.
- Lend your time and talent: Volunteer at a Spring or Fall Clean Up event, or sign up for specific opportunities through our Volunteer Form. We need help in ALL areas – fundraising, membership, archiving, marketing, events, carpentry, landscaping, and more! If you want to help, we most certainly have a project for you.
- Provide financial support: Make a one-time or recurring donation to help keep the Brooks Estate beautiful and enjoyable for years to come.
Thank you for being on this journey with others who care for this estate. Your contributions – past, present, and future – make all the difference as we give the Brooks Estate the love it deserves. I look forward to serving as your President and working alongside you.
Warmly,
Carly Nesson
President, Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust
