Our Story

The Beginning: Goodwin Homestead

In 1790, a farmer named Ebenezer Goodwin built a homestead as part of a vast farm holding in Berwick, Maine. For several generations, the Goodwin Homestead stood as a hospitable center of family life.

Over generations, the surrounding lands were divided and sold off, eventually leaving the historic house and its soaring wood barn on the 9 acres it occupies today. Time began to show its effect on the buildings, and as of 2019 the buildings were quietly slated for demolition.

The Rescue

Before the demolition could take place, lifelong friends and business partners Bob and Steve stepped onto the property.

As partners in construction for over four decades, Bob and Steve have spent their lives building, renovating, and revitalizing structures. But this was different. This wasn’t a standard commercial job; it was a rescue mission.

Captivated by the barn’s surviving 1790s character, including its original hand-hewn wood beams, they saw a place that still had beautiful chapters left to write. At the final hour, they purchased the homestead to see what it could become.

What followed was a journey of discovery and recovery. Rather than a historical restoration to return the property to its 18th-century state, they embarked on a thoughtful, cautious renovation. The aim has been to reveal the heart and soul of the farm, mindfully blending its historic character with modern elegance and comforts. A few original elements like the towering wood beams have been preserved, while entirely updating the spaces to offer full climate control, modern bathrooms, and luxury accommodations. This project represents their first historic renovation of this kind—a monument to their decades of friendship and craftsmanship.

The Story of Our Name

While the name Willow Brook Farm was not part of the original 1790 homestead deeds, it was chosen with deep intention.

During the early days of walking the overgrown grounds along the Salmon Falls River, we found ourselves pausing beneath a graceful canopy of the willow trees standing along the water. In folklore, the willow tree is a symbol of flexibility, intuitive grace, deep roots, and new beginnings. It is a tree that bends with the wind but never breaks, surviving the seasons to grow stronger.

Coupled with the gentle water moving through the landscape, the name Willow Brook Farm became our guiding promise: a peaceful sanctuary, grounded in time, where couples can plant their own deep roots and bend gracefully together into their new future.

Our Mission & Values

Bob and Steve saw the possibility of giving this historic homestead a new life. Now, the very site that housed generations of past families will offer warm hospitality once again—providing a beautiful canvas where future generations can celebrate their own next chapters.

We are dedicated to preserving the character of our 1790 Maine farm while ensuring it serves as a peaceful, safe, and joyful space. Willow Brook Farm is a proudly inclusive and affirming venue. We open our doors and our hearts to love and families of all makeups, and we look forward to welcoming you to our history.