On July 20, 2012, Meadow Brook Hall and 2,000 of its closest friends celebrated its National Historic Landmark status with a grand- and free- commemoration, “Hug The Hall”. It was an event that invited the community to explore the wonderful things that make the Estate unforgettable, from the fourteen lush gardens to the Dodge legacy. After arriving, guests spread gingham tablecloths and shared a complimentary picnic lunch while listening to local musician and OU alumna Jen Kincer. When not dancing or singing along, children followed a National Historic Landmark scavenger hunt to Knole Cottage and back, earning “Meadow Brook Navigators”, a special compass. Parents experienced a history lesson while touring The Hall and riding in vintage Dodge automobiles. Members and their families were invited to private Behind the Scenes tours before they joined an ice cream social under a shady oak tree.
At the end, members, families, volunteers, first-time visitors and those who come every year joined hands to “hug” The Hall. After a countdown, guests released balloons, creating a veritable patchwork in the sky.
