“Ever wondered about the secrets whispered by old walls?” Brooks Mansion stands before you. It’s more than just a building. It’s a living testament to Brookland’s rich history. Imagine Colonel Jehiel Brooks a War of 1812 veteran. He and his wife Ann Margaret Queen daughter of a prominent landowner built this grand Greek Revival mansion around 1840. They named their 246-acre plantation Bellair a name that echoed their dreams.
Bellair wasn’t just a plantation. It was a hub of activity. The Brookses hosted gatherings. Their home resonated with laughter and the murmur of lively conversations. Over time Bellair changed hands. Ida U Marshall bought it in 1887. Then Benjamin F Leighton and Richard E Pairo acquired it. They had a vision. They transformed Bellair into the thriving suburb we know today as Brookland. The mansion itself became a boarding house under Elizabeth Varney’s care.
In 1891 the Marist Brothers purchased Brooks Mansion. They expanded it adding a wing. Their presence marked a shift towards education. The Benedictine Sisters followed in 1905. They established St Anthony’s Academy a school for young children. They also ran a shelter for women. Catholic University of America later used the mansion for educating the sisters. In 1928 the mansion became St Anthony’s High School. Women were finally admitted to the university.
Brooks Mansion faced challenges. In 1970 the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority purchased it. The D C government acquired it in 1979. The D C Preservation League even listed it as an endangered place in 1999. It needed urgent care. Today it houses the Public Access Corporation for the District of Columbia DCTV. It continues to serve the community.
The mansion’s story is far from over. Every brick every window whispers tales of those who lived within its walls. It’s a reminder of Brookland’s evolution a constant transformation. Stand here. Let the stories of Brooks Mansion captivate you. Feel the weight of history. Let it inspire you. You are standing in a place where the past and present meet a place where history unfolds before your eyes.