The Manor has a new Roof!
Field Manor is a historic 19th century homestead (1868) that features one of the oldest houses in Brevard County, built in 1880 on Merritt Island along the Indian River Lagoon. It’s located at 750 Field Manor Drive and still spans 45 acres, originally used for citrus farming.
The house needed substantial maintenance, the most pressing being to replace the roof (at an estimated cost of $146,000). The Florida Historical Commission approved the reroofing project, and the Florida Legislature and Governor approved the project for a matching grant of $73,000.
Field Manor is owned and operated by the Field Manor Foundation, a corporation created by Alma ‘Clyde’ Field, the wife of a descendant of the original Fields, who moved to Brevard County in the late 1800’s. Clyde donated Field Manor, the house and surrounding land, to the Foundation. The Foundation is a not-for-profit Section 501(c)(3) organization. Field Manor is listed on the Federal Register of historical sites.
Today, the Foundation operates Field Manor as a cultural and educational site and museum to showcase how the settlers in the late 1800’s lived and worked the land as a citrus farm. The Manor includes items of historical and cultural interest, including many of the Field’s personal items from several generations. The site is open to the public and hosts visitors that include schools and other youth groups, with an average of 1,800 visitors annually.
The Field Manor house is historically important as it represents the cultural, social, and economic transformation that took place in the region. It was built during the rapid expansion of the Florida population as many settlers moved to the area to take advantage of fertile land, abundant wildlife, and favorable economic opportunities. The Manor is an example of I-House Frame Vernacular design, common for the period it was built. Its ornate detailing used local materials, such as heart of pine. It played an important part in the local community and served as a center of social and cultural activities. It is also an important part of the larger historical community which includes St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Sams House, also on Merritt Island.
The Manor’s roof has deteriorated over time, causing water intrusion issues that threaten the structure's integrity and pose a risk to its interior artifacts. It is imperative to protect the house’s structure from the elements and prevent further water damage. Moisture infiltration can cause wood rot, mold growth, and other structural issues that compromise the safety of the building. This project will require repairing damaged structures before the new roof can be installed.
Thank you to the professionals that made this project happen
Keystone Construction
Brian Peres
Casey Hughes
Kaitlyn Peterson
Curt Adamovsky
Evans Roofing
Daniel Gonsalez
Jeffery Jessurum
Lisa Cipolla
General Contractor (Volunteer)
Dave Smith
MelD Architecture
Lois Torvick
Painting
Julio Farfan
Florida Department of State (DOS)
Clay Rowlette
Nicole Hu
Counting Coppers
Michelle Bonnett
Lucia Newberry
Bobby Arnold
Pat and Dick Bankhead
Andy Barber
Linda and Dexter Beck
Debbie and Rambo Benson
Susan Blakeslee
Frank and Sharon Braden
Laurie Broadway
Robert Buck
Mary and Bill Carpenter
Mary Ann Carter
Malcolm Cater
Daneen Cody
Nick and Amy Conti
Lavonne Cussen
Judy and Gene Davis
Bob Dvorak
Eugene and Yvonne Fernsler
Thomas Gibson
Joyce Harlow
Mark and Kim Hobbs
Darlene and Jerry Hunt
Diana Huntress
Suzanne Johnson
Jim Kennedy
Greg Kirk
Beth Kring
Sue and Shepp Lawrence
Terry Leinbach
Cheryl and Fred Mahan
Jeanie McCormack
Joel McPherson
Lisa Mullooly
Harry Myer
Ray Norman
Mike O'Hagan
Doug and BJ Olds
Deborah Passarelli
Martha Pessaro
Clair and Laird Quenzler
Edie and Frank Repass
Frank Rogers-Witte
Mary and Kim Scibona
Vivian and Fred Shay
Jill Simpkins
Simpkins Family Foundation
Dave and Linda Spain
Helen and Jerry Stubbs
Nancy and Monty Taback
Christine Taylor
Linda and Jack Young