Built in the shingle style, a transitional style between Queen Anne Victorian and twentieth-century styles like Plains and Craftsman, Oakledge stands alone as a truly unique example. Shingle style is most often associated with the great Gilded Age mansions of Newport, RI, but Frank Dutcher, president of the Draper Mill in Hopedale, MA, selected this style for his new home when the previous house on this property burned down around 1900.

Shingle style is characterized first and foremost by the red cedar shingles on all exterior walls, but also includes large, gracious porches, forest green trim, massive stonework, including porch piers and the most distinctive feature of this home: the two grand chimneys that frame the southern exposure of the mansion.

Frank Dutcher built Oakledge c. 1905 on the street in Hopedale known as "Millionaire's Row," as it was the home of all of Draper Mills' executives, and remains to this day the best street in Worcester County. This 10,000 sq. ft. shingle-style estate on over one acre of land was a single family residence until 1950, when it became a nursing home.

In 1967, the nursing home added a 9,000 sq. ft. institutional wing to the rear of the building. In 2004, Jason Bloomberg purchased the now-defunct nursing home and spent three years lovingly restoring the mansion to its original grandeur.

Whenever possible, original features were restored, while in other cases, they were carefully replaced. Perhaps the most critical decision was to retain the 1960's era nursing home wing, and to integrate it fully into the original structure. As a result, the exterior shingles and trim continue around the entire 19,000 square foot building.

In the original mansion, the kitchen was completely reworked, while the remainder of the first floor is fully restored to its original, turn-of-the-century grandeur. This home preserves the original gracious floor plan from the front porch through the custom-replicated front entry to the great hall.

Every room is oversized by modern standards, but in marvelous proportion for this stately mansion, including a living room, music room, and a library. There are cherry floors through entire first floor, most of which are original to the house. The dining room is also a focal point, with cherry trim and original built-in cupboards. The living room and library also feature working wood-burning fireplaces.

The exterior of the property features landscaping in keeping with the "back to nature" aspects of the shingle style. Here, the source of the name of the home -- Oakledge -- becomes apparent, as there is a large, mature oak growing out of the granite ledge that defines the yard and adds New England character, as do the low granite stone walls. In the rear of the property is a private wetland, which features a variety of wildlife among the cattails.

Today, Jason is returning to Oakledge with his fiancée Valerie Stevens, and they are looking forward to completing the work put on hold in 2007.