LENOX — The historic HomeFarm at Undermountain, an equestrian center, working farm and home for rescue animals, is seeking help from the town for urgently needed renovations at the horse farm dating back to 1902.

At a recent Community Preservation Committee meeting, the farm’s executive director, Lori Pestana, said that a $409,000 project would tackle improper electrical connections, deteriorated farmhouse roofing, foundation and siding, as well as drainage issues at the 14,000-square-foot Jacques Barn and the farmhouse.

Both are part of the complex at 400 Undermountain Road a mile west of downtown, home to 40 horses, five donkeys, seven goats and two sheep.

The farm is seeking $200,000 from the taxpayer-funded Community Preservation Act for its comprehensive plan. The committee has been reviewing nine applications for support, with decisions expected later this month.

Pestana pointed out that HomeFarm’s request for restoration is Phase 2 of a wide-ranging project to preserve the scenic farm as a historical, cultural and recreational asset for the town.

“It’s a cohesive project to deal with safety issues so that visitors can come safely and participate, and to protect, preserve and save the work we’ve done on the buildings,” she said.

Whitney and Xavier are among the 54 residents at HomeFarm at Undermountain in Lenox — the current census includes 40 horses, five donkeys, seven goats and and two sheep, some of them rescue animals. The nonprofit is phasing in $2.5 million in extensive renovations and upgrades.

HomeFarm is a rare surviving complete estate from the Cottage Era, a pivotal period in Lenox history that continues to shape what the town is today, Pestana stated in her application to the committee.

“We are seeking funding to continue to restore the Jacques Barn, the oldest and most prominent building on the farm, and the farmhouse, an integral part of the historic vista,” she wrote. The farm also provides four rental apartments of workforce housing for employees at below-market rates.

In 2024, town meeting voters approved $190,000 to support the first phase of the restoration project for the nonprofit farm that boards horses and adopts rescue animals for life. The total cost of Phase 1 was about $400,000.

Beyond Phase 2, another $1.5 million would be needed for total restoration at the property, she told The Eagle on Monday.

The nonprofit was formed in spring 2023 to save the land and its scenic viewscape from potential bankruptcy and the threat of possible subdivision development.

Since then, the farm’s capital campaign has raised about $1.8 million to pay off back debts and to phase-in the restoration project.

The total cost of the multiphase preservation project is estimated at $2.5 million.

The estate-farm was built for Boston surgeon Henry Jacques and his brother Eustace 120 years ago and expanded in the 1950s with a large horse barn, riding arena and tenant cottage.

In October 2023, the 95-acre Gilded Age landmark was gifted to HomeFarm at Undermountain by the Sprague Family Trust, relieving the property of a $315,000 debt to a family member and $125,000 in back taxes and fees owed to the town.

Since 1975, the farm has been an equestrian facility, offering riding lessons, boarding for horses stabled there and for rescue animals, and in recent years evolving into an educational and cultural attraction open to the public.

Out of code electrical wiring in the historic barn at HomeFarm at Undermountain in Lenox needs urgent repair, just one of the high-priority renovation projects at the nonprofit. HomeFarm is seeking $200,000 in support from Community Preservation Act funding.

Last year, it had at least 5,000 visitors, Pestana told the committee. Operational revenue totaled $320,000 from horseback and trail riding, riding lessons, family packages, community visits to open houses and apartment rentals, up from $192,000 in 2024.

Committee member Kevin Mitts praised the work done on the barn so far and the presentation by Pestana.

“It was very thoughtful and very thorough,” member Kim Graham agreed.

The electrical and roof work are the highest priority, Pestana said, responding to a query from member Fred Keator.

Among the other applicants for CPC funding this spring is Pennrose, the developer of workforce housing with a request for $500,000 to support its second project at 238 Pittsfield Road, a 68-unit rental complex approved by the town’s zoning board. Pennrose recently completed its 65 rental apartments at Brushwood Farm called Forge.

Currently, the town has over $1.7 million in Community Preservation funding. Total funding for all nine applications, if approved in full by the committee, would come to $1,537,533.

Annual town meeting voters have the final say on May 7.