Brook Farmhouse Project

What is happening with the Brook Farmhouse and related farm buildings?

The farmhouse is being repurposed and renovated to be the new home of Mohonk Preserve’s Conservation and Community Education Program, with an expected completion of June 2025. In consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office, most of the barns are being dismantled due to their poor condition. In future years, a new barn-like structure will be built in the area of the barn buildings to house the Mohonk Preserve Stewardship Program.

We are launching a community campaign to raise funds for the project in Spring, 2025. For more information on how you can help, email development@mohonkpreserve.org or make a donation below.

PHASE 1: Create a New Center for Conservation & Community Education at Mohonk Preserve

Work begins Fall / Winter 2024

Phase 1 of the project will rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the Brook Farmhouse for the Preserve’s Conservation Science and Land Protection teams and provide space for youth nature education programs.

The Farmhouse will undergo needed repairs, energy-efficient upgrades, and repartitioning of some of the interior spaces. Interior improvements will include the creation of new office spaces, upgraded insulation, bathroom and kitchen renovations and restoration of the grand entry, staircase and first floor rooms. Exterior improvements will include replacing the existing roof, siding, windows and doors with historic-style energy efficient materials along with restoring the building’s historic details including window trim, stairs, porch and railings. New ADA access also will be created and utility upgrades include undergrounding electrical service, installing a carbon-free heating and cooling system, and constructing a new septic system.

Proposed site improvements include:

• Selective dismantling of structurally-unsound agricultural buildings and repurposing salvageable lumbar
• Formalization of nine (9) gravel parking spaces including one (1) ADA spaces and four (4) EV charging spaces;
• A 5-foot-wide stabilized aggregate accessible route providing a connection to the existing pavilion and a new ADA ramp at the back of the Brook Farmhouse;
• A 6-foot-wide stabilized aggregate walkway providing access to the front of the farmhouse;
• A small orientation area and educational kiosk;
• A new patio and stairs adjacent to the south façade porch entry;
• Removal of the existing pad mounted propane tank and service lines;
• Replacement of the existing septic system to a new location outside of delineated wetlands;
• Establishment of new wetland buffer areas with native wetland fringe plantings; and
• New native planting areas around the farmhouse.

PHASE 2: Create a New Centrally Located Stewardship Maintenance Facility

Work begins 2026 / 2027

Phase 2 of the project will develop a new facilities and maintenance complex on the north side of Lenape Lane in the area currently occupied by the structurally-unsound barns and agricultural buildings to be dismantled as part of Phase 1. The new facilities and maintenance complex will consist of the following:

• A 2,600 square-foot facility consisting of office and meeting space; locker rooms, a wood shop and a three-bay, maintenance garage;
• A 600 square-foot non-conditioned garage and cold storage space;
• A six-bay run-in pole barn for vehicle storage and maintenance equipment; and
• Stabilization & reconstruction of existing large hay barn.

To Date, This Project Has Been Made Possible By:

• NYSERDA Carbon Neutral Community Economic Development Program
• New York State Empire State Development Corporation
• DASNY Community Resilience, Economic Sustainability, and Technology
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Conservation Partnership Program, administered by the Land Trust Alliance
• The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York
• The Gerry Charitable Trust
• The 1772 Foundation
• M&T Charitable Foundation
• Individual Donors

Be a Part of the Project 

Banner photo by Ken Wishnick