At Meadow Brook, volunteers are the heart of our mission, filling each day with their passion, energy and care. Our annual Volunteer Dinner is a heartfelt celebration of their dedication and all the ways they make Meadow Brook such a special place.
Last year, hundreds of active volunteers gave more than 17,200 hours of service, which takes on many different forms. From docents, hosts, museum store attendants, to the Garden Club, Squires, and Naturalists, the talents of our 300+ volunteers keep Meadow Brook poised and thriving – preserving its legacy while creating memorable experiences for every visitor.
Meadow Brook volunteers reaching at least fifty hours of service during 2024 were recognized for their consistent dedication and passion for Meadow Brook. A total of 27 volunteers achieved 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 milestone years of service. The evening included a three-course meal by Meadow Brook’s in-house chef, award ceremony, dancing, and open bar.
The night also featured a special live painting demonstration of Meadow Brook Hall by Carolyn Soma Shoemaker, a local artist and art instructor. The painting was raffled off to one lucky winner during the award ceremony.
Every year, one volunteer is awarded the Barbara Thorpe Award, a merit-based award where recipients are selected by Meadow Brook staff for generously giving their time, skills, and heart to the Great Estate. Barbara Thorpe was a longtime volunteer at Meadow Brook who grew up around the estate because her father worked at the Meadow Brook dairy department. The volunteers who receive the Barbara Thorpe Award share her passion for service and a devoted commitment to preserving the Meadow Brook legacy.
The 2025 Barbara Thorpe award winner, Colleen Peters, has carried this legacy forward as a devoted garden club captain and host. Most recently, she completed a hundred-hour historic research project on the Meadow Brook Gardens, which she shared as part of the Garden Club’s speaker series. Through her research, Colleen found herself growing ever closer to Matilda Dodge Wilson, discovering inspiration in the way Matilda approached the world. That inspiration now guides Colleen’s own hope—to encourage fellow volunteers to cherish and learn from all that Matilda left behind.
Meadow Brook would not be the educational, community-driven institution it is today if not got the great efforts and dedication of Colleen Peters and the over 300 volunteers at Meadow Brook Hall. Thank you for your loyalty and service to the Great Estate!
Interested in volunteering at Meadow Brook? Click here to learn more or volunteer today!
