Meadow Brook Hall is the largest of the Dodge family homes. It was built in the late 1920's for Matilda Dodge who was the widow of auto extraordinaire John Dodge. Matilda later married Alfred G Wilson when her first husband past away. Together, they lived within this home until 1957. The location is one of the most opulent in its design and furnishings. The mansion features more than 100 rooms and offers a two story ballroom for entertainment. There are many acres of carefully tailored gardens and a wide range of beautiful artwork and details throughout the location.
When the family left the home, they left behind a sizable $2 million to be used to help found Oakland University, which is located nearby to the home.
Meadow Brook Hall is the fourth largest in size of the historic houses that are now museums throughout the country. Perhaps the most striking of features is the architectural details and craftsmanship that are shown throughout the entire home, making it more of a piece of art than a home of this time period. It is a large home as well, another key point in helping it to stand out from homes of this time. The home is more than 88,000 square feet and is a Tudor revival style home.
Today, you can walk through the home and take guided tours throughout it. There are some 1500 acres of gardens to enjoy as well as many of the original pieces of art and furnishings from the Dodge family. Garden tours can be planned as can guided tours (highly recommended.) Group rates are available.
