About
Willowdale Estate opened its doors in 2007 after an extensive renovation to bring the beauty of the mansion and grounds back to its original by-gone era. Our owner, Briar Forsythe, developed a team of dedicated planners, event coordinators, and a renowned catering team that will help you craft an unforgettable occasion, marked by impeccable hospitality and personalized service. In 2017, Briar and her team founded Bramble Hospitality, which now includes Briar Barn Inn located in Rowley, Massachusetts to provide even more great hospitality options to the people in, and from the greater Boston region.
Meet our team
The stately fireplace in our elegant library. The doorway that leads to a secret garden. Our team shares their favorite places at Willowdale, and what inspires them to continually surpass clients’ expectations.
The Story of our Mansion
Willowdale Estate is a Craftsman and Tudor Revival Stone Mansion, commissioned in 1901-1902. Bradley Palmer spent a good deal of time deciding where to build his “modest cottage” and settled on the affluent town of Topsfield, where there was plenty of land to exercise his horses. The architect was Charles Kimball Cummings (1870-1955) who practiced architecture in Boston from 1897 to 1947 and was well known for his house designs, particularly those of substantial scale for the wealthy of that era. Palmer drew his inspiration for the house from the Mansions and Castles of Aberdeen in Scotland. He incorporated motifs from the Medieval Period into the Arts and Crafts style- creating a very eclectic home.
