Photo Update: Human History of Willow Brook Farm

Andrew and Ann Dee Pelley (left) met with Skip Stuck (right) to share historical photos and other documents connected to the Willow Brook Farm property.

By Skip Stuck, Key Volunteer

Over the last year, I have completed nine "human histories" of Wildlands Trust's preserves and the communities that surround them. With each one, I am reminded of the near-impossibility of creating a truly accurate and clear-cut account of past people and events. History is always "in the eye of the beholder." History from the perspective of Native Americans will often be at odds with that of colonists. Farmers, academics, industrialists, religious leaders, the wealthy, the poor, the young, and the old will view the same events in different ways, colored by their cultures, experiences, hopes, and biases. "Accurate" history is a laudable, yet usually unreachable, goal. 

Pictures can bring us closer to that goal. While I've discovered many written narratives on local human history, pictures, paintings, maps, and illustrations have been much harder to find. That is why I was excited a few weeks ago when the Trust was contacted by Willow Brook Farm neighbors Ann Dee and Andrew Pelley, who wanted to share some historical photos of Wildlands’ Pembroke preserve. They saw the history that we published last April and its request for more information, especially pictures. After some intensive research at the Pembroke Historical Society, Ann Dee and Andrew visited us at our Plymouth headquarters, accompanied by some amazing pictures and documents.  

Before you read further, I encourage you to revisit the original April 2024 entry of “Human History of Wildlands: Willow Brook Farm.” Click here.

Barker & Pleasant Street Houses

The Barker House was built sometime between 1783 and 1810 and burned down in 1915. Photo courtesy of the Pembroke Historical Society.

The Pleasant Street House was built in 1777 by Israel Turner. Photo courtesy of the Pembroke Historical Society.

In 1877, the Pleasant Street house was moved to Barker Street on the Willow Brook Farm property, where it remains today. It is said that it took a team of oxen six weeks to move the house. Photo from 1979, courtesy of the Pembroke Historical Society.

Above are two of the earliest dwellings on the property. The Barker house, owned by Benjamin Barker and his family, burned down in 1915. 

The property continued in Barker and relatives’ hands until 1914, when it was purchased by William Hurley. Hurley established the Willow Brook Dairy Farm, which became renowned for the quality of its Guernsey cattle.

“1st prize Breeder’s Herd | Springfield, October, 1917.” Photo courtesy of the Pembroke Historical Society.

“IMP, Cherry’s Memento, No. 27562 | 1st Prize and Grand Champion, Brockton and Springfield | October, 1917.” Photo courtesy of the Pembroke Historical Society.

Until the early 1950s, the farm thrived, adding a large barn, milking station, and many acres of pasture. 

William Hurley, owner of Hurley Shoe Company in Rockland, purchased the land in 1914. Thereafter, he built this dairy barn in the middle of the property. Photo courtesy of the Pembroke Historical Society.

Willow Brook Farm milking station. Photo courtesy of the Pembroke Historical Society.

Today, many reminders of that time remain, including the foundation of the milking station, numerous stone walls, falling fence posts, and open pastures, maintained as part of Wildlands Trust's commitment to preserving Willow Brook Farm’s agricultural history. 

We want to thank Ann Dee and Andrew Pelley for providing us with a richer understanding of the human history of Willow Brook Farm through their pictures. 

For others who have information of any kind that can help us refine our understanding of the human history of Wildlands, please contact Communications Coordinator Thomas Patti at tpatti@wildlandstrust.org or 774-343-5121 ext. 108. We may feature your insight in future “Human History” editions. 

And finally, please visit our online property description and trail map of Willow Brook Farm and explore its trails in person. 

Wildlands Raises Over $71,000 for Willow Brook Farm

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

When natural lands come under threat of development, degradation, or disrepair, their futures depend on the support of their community—the people who walk their trails, gaze upon their landscapes and wildlife, and breathe their purified air.  

Time and time again, communities across Southeastern Massachusetts have “walked the walk” when their beloved natural sanctuaries need human resources to withstand human pressures. This summer, the region received its latest test—and passed with flying colors. Thanks to an outpouring of community support, Wildlands Trust raised nearly $72,000 to upgrade Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke, far surpassing our campaign goal. 

“Wildlands Trust was able to protect Willow Brook Farm in 1997, thanks to a generous gift from South Shore philanthropists Herb and Paulie Emilson,” said Wildlands President Karen Grey. “However, infrastructure and amenities that were built in 1997 had reached life expectancy, and upgrades were required to ensure public safety.”  

Old farm path at the entrance of Willow Brook Farm. Photo by Rob MacDonald.

Few places anywhere pack the same wealth of cultural and natural resources into a suburban setting as Willow Brook Farm. Comprising 167 wild acres just 30 miles south of Boston, Willow Brook Farm epitomizes the globally rare ecological diversity of the Herring Brook Valley. Each year, over 20,000 people explore Willow Brook’s field, forest, and wetland habitats to learn about the human and natural communities that have come and gone from the region.  

After 27 years serving the people and wildlife of Southeastern Massachusetts, Willow Brook Farm needs upgrades to bolster its safety and value for future generations. Improvements include replacing extensive boardwalks and bog boards, removing invasive plants, repairing the parking lot, improving trail signage, and building covered picnic tables. Our estimated cost, and consequent fundraising goal, was $60,000.

This figure was lofty, but the generosity of an anonymous donor put our goal within reach. The donor agreed to provide twice the amount of every donation under $500 and match all others, up to $40,000.  

Mango poses beside her sign on the “Dogs of Willow Brook” story walk. Photo by Jennifer Love.

Wildlands wasted no time seizing this remarkable opportunity, with fundraising efforts including: 

• Dog Day: On May 11, 14 canine conservationists converged on Willow Brook Farm to lend a paw to our campaign. Photographer Drew Lederman snapped adorable shots of the dogs and their owners, with all proceeds going to our project. We then used the photos to create a story walk along the entrance trail, encouraging passersby to donate in honor of “The Dogs of Willow Brook.” 

• Kayak raffle: We raffled off a Current Designs Solara 100 kayak, generously donated by Billington Sea Kayak and the Friends of IndieFerm. Congratulations to Bob and Donna for taking home the grand prize! 

• Shaw’s Give Back Where It Counts Reusable Bag Program: Throughout August, Shaw’s Hanson donated $1 to our Willow Brook Farm campaign for every reusable bag sold. 

• Women’s Woodworking Workshop: On September 14, Wildlands' Stewardship Programs Manager Zoë Smiarowski and volunteer Lenna Matthews co-led a carpentry training, organized specifically for women and non-binary individuals. Participants built planter boxes out of recycled wood from Willow Brook Farm boardwalks, with all proceeds going to our campaign. 

We also received considerable donations in honor of our beloved “Trail Guy,” Malcolm MacGregor, who passed away in May. His memory continues to advance conservation across the region. 

Congratulations to Bob and Donna for winning our kayak raffle, which raised funds for Willow Brook Farm.

All the while, our stewardship staff and volunteers have been hard at work, making remarkable progress on many of the proposed upgrades. For a week in August, our project received an extra boost when 23 volunteers from across the country and world (as far as Germany!) joined us at Willow Brook Farm as part of a Sierra Club “volunteer vacation.” 

In total, we received 151 donations from the public, with 94 percent falling under $500—a testament to the diverse community support for Willow Brook Farm. Accordingly, donors had many reasons for giving: 

• “I grew up taking walks in Willow Brook Farm. I am donating so that my daughter and future generations will be able to do the same!” - Katrina D.   

• “Love Willow Brook! That park kept me sane during the pandemic.” - Kelly P. 

• “As an Environmental Educator with the South Shore Natural Science Center from 2002-2013, I had the pleasure of leading multiple groups of third and fourth graders from neighboring towns through Willow Brook. Its vast diversity allowed us to give these children an opportunity to view habitats that most were really not aware of. They enjoyed it all, but the tower, of course, was the big hit! Now as a retiree, I simply enjoy the beauty and unique diversity of the property. Looking forward to the upgrades!”  - Karen K. 

From August 12 to 16, Sierra Club volunteers from across the country and world helped Wildlands staff repair boardwalks, clear vegetation, and more at Willow Brook Farm. Photo by Rob MacDonald.

Thank you to all who have donated or volunteered in support of our campaign. We are humbled by your generosity and committed to keeping Willow Brook Farm a place for people, pets, and wildlife to thrive. Stay tuned for updates as our work continues.