Historic Highfield Hall, built in 1878 as a summer residence to the Beebe family of Boston, is one of the few extant regional examples of the architectural transition between Queen Anne and Stick styles. In 1970s, after the owner demolished another Beebe residence on the property, local residents railed to support Highfield Hall. They continued to advocate for its protection for two decades, forming a non-profit called Historic Highfield, Inc. These efforts resulted in Town seizing the property by eminent domain in 2000 and signing a lease with Historic Highfield to renovate and operate the Hall as a function rental space.
With $8 million in private funding, Highfield Hall underwent an extraordinary restoration effort that took 6 years to complete. Renovations addressed significant deterioration resulting from years of neglect and water damage and included installation of a new, red cedar roof; restoration of original windows and doors; installation of a new septic system; pouring of a new concrete foundation; installation of an elevator and handicap ramps; and construction of a new parking area and path system. Most remarkable were the successful removal of the 1950s façade and the recreation of the original configuration based on historic photographs. Paint analysis was used to restore of historic color schemes. The project was recognized with Massachusetts Historical Commission Historic Preservation Award and stands as a testimony to an extraordinary community preservation campaign.
