Pine Lodge
74-room main mansion
Methuen, Massachusetts · Est. 1841
A legacy carved in granite.
Preserving one of New England's most remarkable Gilded Age estates — for the community, and for future generations.
Join us Saturday, September 12 for a guided walking tour of the estate's historic buildings and grounds, hosted by the City of Methuen.
Stay Informed
Get updates on restoration progress, public meetings, and ways to help.
Hidden behind medieval granite walls on Lawrence Street lies one of Methuen's greatest treasures — a 19-acre estate of breathtaking architecture, irreplaceable history, and community promise.
19
Acres
12
Buildings
1841
Founded
Upcoming Events
Free Lecture Series — Life & Legacy of Edward F. Searles
Learn about the fascinating stories of Edward F. Searles' life and legacy in this free lecture series in the Marble Museum at the estate. The Friends of the Searles Estate, in cooperation with the City of Methuen, is offering a series of free lectures on the life and legacy of Edward F. Searles. The lecture will be presented on various dates and held at the estate in the Marble Museum. We will discuss the life of Searles and the significance of the architecture and artwork that adorn this historic site, and provide a brief overview of the mission and vision of the Friends of the Searles Estate.
This is not a full tour of the estate, but the event will be held in the elegant Marble Museum room — offering a glimpse into this beautiful 19th and 20th-century estate. Seating is limited to 50 attendees at each event. Lecture dates: May 9, 14, 27, and June 3.
Reserve Your Seat on EventbriteWho We Are
Our Mission
The Friends of the Edward F. Searles Estate is a grassroots organization of volunteers who are committed to the preservation, restoration, and innovative repurposing of one of Methuen's most iconic, remaining landmarks, The Edward F. Searles Estate. Our mission is to support the preservation and restoration of the Searles Estate through advocacy and educational awareness.
We seek to accomplish our mission by:
01
Encouraging the residents of the City of Methuen, together with state and local legislators, to view the Estate as a unique opportunity for both an historic and economic investment in the future of our community — particularly as a catalyst for future economic growth in the heart of our community.
02
Supporting the development of a comprehensive plan to repurpose the Estate in a manner that respects the history of the property and the legacy of Mr. Searles while creating opportunities for community access and realistic economic revenue.
03
Working to guarantee that management of the Searles Estate fully embraces and implements a development plan consistent with the goals and objectives established by the City of Methuen.
By working collaboratively, we will create enthusiasm among a community of organizations and individuals who will add their support to the preservation and future economic success of a plan which will raise the value of the property, drive future revenues, and increase awareness of the rich history of our community.
Our Plan
A New Approach
Our Plan: A New Approach
On March 30, representatives of Friends of the Searles Estate met with Mayor Beauregard to present a plan proposing a new approach to the preservation, restoration, and repurposing of the Searles Estate. We're excited to work with him and with our City Councilors to move this process forward.
We have identified six steps we believe are key to a successful preservation, restoration, and repurposing initiative.
01
Recognize the value of the Edward F. Searles Estate to the City of Methuen.
02
Commit to preserving the historic artifacts for the citizens of Methuen.
03
Complete a comprehensive evaluation of the property.
04
Recruit and employ a team of professional planners dedicated to managing the evaluation of the property and developing a vision and long-term development plan for the future.
05
Implement the development plan through a combination of private, public, and non-profit investment.
06
Invest in the future of Methuen.
Our Story
A crown jewel, nearly lost.
Edward Francis Searles was born in Methuen on July 4, 1841 — the son of a mill worker who would grow up to control one of America's greatest Gilded Age fortunes. An interior designer by trade, Searles married the widow of railroad magnate Mark Hopkins in 1887, inheriting a fortune of $21 million upon her death in 1891.
He spent the rest of his life transforming his childhood home on Lawrence Street into an extraordinary estate — 74 rooms, a brownstone chapel, a granite chime tower, carriage houses, and more than two dozen eclectic buildings. Most were designed by Henry Vaughan, the renowned English-Gothic architect who co-designed the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
In 2024, the City of Methuen purchased the 19-acre estate for $3.25 million — saving it from a developer who had planned to demolish Pine Lodge and replace it with 151 apartment units. Today, the estate's future is being shaped by the community it belongs to.
Read the Full History$21M
Inherited Fortune
74
Rooms in Pine Lodge
$3.25M
Purchase Price
The Estate
Twelve historic structures.
Brownstone Chapel
contains Searles' grave
Granite Chime Tower
designed by Henry Vaughan
Carriage House
grand stable complex
Timeline
150 years of history.
1841
Edward Searles born in Methuen
1887
Marriage to Mary Hopkins
1891-1920
The Estate Takes Shape
1957
Sisters of Presentation of Mary acquire estate
2024
City of Methuen saves the estate for $3.25M
The estate has been saved. Now comes the harder work — restoring it, protecting it, and deciding what it becomes for the next generation of Methuen residents.
Get Involved
Be part of what comes next.
The future of the Searles Estate is being written right now — by the people of Methuen.
See All Ways to Help