The Marion Historical Commission announces the completion of a study examining potential future uses and the cost of restoring the historic Percy Browne House.
Preservation Massachusetts named the Percy Browne House, built in 1881–1882, one of the “10 Most Endangered Historic Resources in Massachusetts” in October 2025.
“The Percy Browne House is regarded by many architectural historians as the prototype of the Shingle Style in America, influencing countless later examples throughout New England and beyond,” the Preservation Massachusetts report states. “Its design anticipated ideas later refined by Richardson’s associate Stanford White in the now-demolished William Low House in Bristol, Rhode Island. The house also reflects Marion’s late 19th-century associations with national intellectual life — President Grover Cleveland, a friend of Percy Brown, summered here, as did Trinity Church Rector Phillips Brooks.”
Tabor Academy, which owns the property, has been engaged in a campus planning process since early 2025 that included exploring possible future uses for the house.
The Marion Historical Commission received an update on the property in February. In May, architect Will Saltonstall of Saltonstall Architects attended a Commission meeting and presented findings from a reuse feasibility study his firm completed.
Saltonstall Architects worked with a Tabor committee to evaluate potential uses for the house and determine whether it could be restored and adapted for modern use.
“Early in our feasibility exploration, we came to a consensus that if a significant investment to preserve the property were to be made, we would recommend a restoration that removes the non-original additions, recreates an interpretation of the original Richardson design, and reintroduces the unique exterior detailing essential to the original architectural design,” the architect’s report states. “Our strategy is informed by the extensive historical research and reconstruction theories of Mark Wright in his article on the house.”
The study recommended restoring the house as a single-family residence.
The concept also called for preserving the house’s primary interior living spaces and historic features, including its stairwell, fireplaces and trim. A new kitchen, bathrooms and other modern improvements would be added to make the house functional as a residence.
The proposal included an addition behind the original house to provide space for more bedrooms and utilities. It also suggested constructing a separate building of approximately 800 square feet behind the home that could serve as an apartment for a faculty member and be designed as a carriage house complementary to the historic property.
Saltonstall Architects worked with a building contractor to develop a preliminary cost estimate. The study found that restoring and expanding the building in a manner consistent with the project’s goals would cost approximately $3.5 million to $4 million.
Tabor Academy leadership supported the proposed design but determined that the project is not currently feasible because of other capital priorities at the school.
The academy has taken several interim steps to secure the house and prevent further deterioration. Those measures include testing that found no new insect damage, additional roof repairs to keep the building weathertight, minor repairs to the exterior and the removal of overgrown landscaping that could damage the building.
“The Marion Historical Commission appreciates the steps Tabor Academy has taken to help protect the Percy Browne House in the short term, but they do not resolve the larger question of its future,” said Meg Steinberg, Chair of the Marion Historical Commission. “We remain hopeful that Tabor will continue exploring funding sources and partnerships that could support the restoration and long-term preservation of this important historic property.”
The Commission is also hopeful that a Tabor alumnus, alumni group or another donor who recognizes the house’s architectural significance may be interested in supporting the project through a restricted gift.