Matilda and Alfred Wilson left the Meadow Brook estate to Oakland University so the students they loved would always have a home on campus. You may remember seeing Knole Cottage surrounded by a carpet of fallen leaves, or sledding on the rolling hills, or the magic of walking up to Meadow Brook Hall for the first time. Through The Hall’s new membership program, alumni can ensure future students will have the same opportunities.
Members of Meadow Brook receive more than the good feelings that come from helping to preserve an estate of local and international significance. Depending on the level of participation, members gain access to a variety of benefits, from discounts on special events and Museum Shop gifts to private cooking lessons, to tours of nonpublic spaces with the curator. Whether you want to join as a family, a business, or even as a volunteer, you will find a connection that meets your needs and enriches your life. No amount of generosity goes unnoticed at The Hall!
Become a member of OU’s founding family. With your help, Meadow Brook can grow as a vibrant and interactive cultural center, providing the special events and exhibitions that not only highlight the rich history of Oakland University, but also help us connect with our guests like Matilda Wilson would have – by sharing The Hall’s unrivaled spaces and graces. With extra resources, Meadow Brook can strengthen its mission by completing critical conservation projects and developing new educational programming for the local and campus communities.
For more information on membership and giving programs, please visit meadowbrookhall.org/join or contact Kim Zelinski, director of Museum Operations and Advancement, at (248) 364-6204 or zelinski@oakland.edu.
Step back in time this summer
Meadow Brook serves the community by constantly adapting its tours to fit visitors’ needs and interests. Specialty tours allow The Hall to tell rarely heard stories about America in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. This summer, enjoy Meadow Brook in Bloom, an exploration of floral motifs in the collection and architectural detailing of The Hall, and the social and personal motivations for Matilda Wilson’s love of flowers and participation in gardening clubs. You will be amazed to see that Matilda’s gardens did not end at the back door.
The last Tuesday of each summer month is Twilight Tuesday, our personal invitation to enjoy the gardens and a house tour at night, with music and a cash bar on the terrace. On Twilight Tuesday, your house tour donation is at a discounted $10 per ticket. Materials will also be available for self-guided landscape and architecture tours.
And, new this summer, step from behind the ropes for a Behind the Scenes tour, which includes a choice selection of closets, bathrooms, the flower room, staff wing, and more! Don’t miss out on the chance to view rarely seen areas of The Hall and hear the personal stories of both the Wilson family and staff as The Hall examines early 20th century life on an American country estate. This tour is available Saturdays and Sundays at 12 and 1:30 pm; space is limited.
Please call (248) 364-6200 for general tour information and directions. For information or reservations for Twilight Tuesday, call the Meadow Brook Special Events office at (248) 364-6263.