Brewsterconnections - Brewster Academy

HistoryHistoryHistory HistoryWritingBrewster’sHistoryEstabrook’sBrick and Mortar:the Buildings of BrewsterBy Robert and Shirley RichardsonIn May 2010, as we neared completion of the research, writing, andpublication of The Brewster Story, we began to turn our attention to thehistory of the buildings, halls, and roadways of the Academy campus.When the original Academic Building burned in 1903, almost all records andinformation about the early years of the school were lost. In an effort to avoidanother catastrophe of missing files and given the abundance of materials we siftedthrough during our book research, we knew this was the time to pull togetheras many documents and records that could be located and compiled into a richhistory of the Academy’s facilities, greens, and roadways. This new documentwould complement The Brewster Story and preserve more of the school’s history.About the time we began this project, we discovered that Harrison Moore ’46,a retired Marine who served on the Brewster staff for many years, had spentdecades researching Wolfeboro’s old homes and buildings. Later this hobby andhis fondness for Brewster Academy led him to frame an initial history of campusresidences and buildings.Moore’s edited writings, accompanied by our broad research and annotations, followin alphabetical order, usually by their current names. Cross-references are also givento some long-standing buildings whose names have changed over the years.Here and in the next few issues of Connections we will present histories ofBrewster’s facilities and include an illustrated map showing the chronologicalgrowth and development of the campus. We anticipate compiling these into acomplementary booklet to The Brewster Story.44 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2012The “Ac” and the Estabrook, circa 1890Design for the First Campus Houses, 1890-1903Arthur F. Estabrook often accompanied John Brewster and son William toWolfeboro during the summers for relaxation, reflection, fishing, hunting,swimming, and birding. While staying in the village they often visitedwith Dr. Henry Libby and probably were guests at the Pavilion Hotel juston the edge of campus where the Civil War monument stands today. Withtheir wives, they would enjoy the pastoral life and time away from Bostonand the hot city. It was perhaps during these visits that a love affair withWolfeboro and Lake Winnipesaukee and its tranquil unspoiled scenerytook hold.Over these summers it’s possible that the group contemplated building aschool for the children of Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro to provide them withan educational opportunity that otherwise might not have been availableto them in this rural area.As we researched the history of the more than 40 campus buildings, wediscovered that the Estabrook was one of the first residential structures totake its place at the heart of the Brewster Academy campus. In 1887, justafter John’s death, Arthur purchased a piece of land from Daniel Pickeringon which to build his handsome summer home on the hill overlookingLake Winnipesaukee.Soon after, in 1888, the John Brewster Trust acquired a large track of landfrom the heirs of Daniel Pickering, Caroline and Charles Rollins, on whichto build the school in Wolfeboro that John had made provisions for in his1886 will. Estabrook became one of the three original Brewster AcademyTrustees, and his new home would shortly become part of the Academymall and sit just to the left of the main Academic Building (to be built in1890). As trustee and a competent businessman, Estabrook immediatelybegan laying the foundation for fulfilling the vision of John Brewster.More buildings and homes were to come as Estabrook set out to acquireseveral other buildings along Main Street. He believed that two buildingson Main Street, Lord and Kimball houses, would greatly expand the school