Matilda Dodge Wilson: Compassion at Christmas
The holiday season at Meadow Brook was a time rich with tradition, especially centered on charitable causes close to Matilda Dodge Wilson’s heart. Throughout her life, she made significant contributions to initiatives that reflected her deep commitment to education, community, and supporting the less fortunate.
As Matilda’s wealth grew, so did her dedication to instilling a sense of responsibility in her children. She demonstrated this through her unwavering devotion to improving the lives of others, often focusing her efforts on meaningful year-round philanthropy. The Salvation Army played a pivotal role in many of her endeavors, including the creation of the Denby Home in Detroit—a refuge for children and unwed mothers, which was especially dear to her.
Christmas Eve at Denby Home was a cherished tradition for the Wilson family. After wrapping presents for 60 to 80 children, they would visit the home to watch a holiday play performed by the children. Following the performance, Matilda and her family distributed gifts, along with cookies and milk. Matilda’s personal touch was evident—she took weeks to select a new outfit and toys for each child, demonstrating her genuine care by knowing each one individually. Many children later recalled discovering candies, small trinkets, or an orange—grown on Meadow Brook Estate—tucked into the pockets of their new dresses.
As president of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Children’s Work of the Salvation Army, Matilda also organized an annual Toy Shop, where parents could select toys for their children at no cost while club women volunteered as shop clerks. During the world wars, her generosity extended to soldiers, sending presents and supplies, including 12 gallons of orange marmalade to Camp Custer in 1918. Fruits, especially oranges, were a rare and treasured Christmas gift at the time.
Frances Dodge: Christmas at Castleton Farms
For Frances Dodge, Christmas was far more than a holiday—it was a chance to celebrate kindness, gratitude, and the joy of giving. Inspired by her mother, Matilda, who instilled in her the importance of generosity, Frances carried forward this tradition in a way uniquely her own.
Frances founded Dodge Stables at Meadow Brook Estate but later moved her equestrian enterprise and her family to Castleton Farms in Lexington, Kentucky. At Castleton Farms, she created a haven not only for equestrian excellence but also for heartfelt holiday traditions.
Every Christmas, Frances reached out to each employee with a handwritten letter, inviting them to choose a special gift for themselves and a toy their children dreamed of that year. Whether it was a new winter coat or a gleaming bicycle, Frances ensured every wish was fulfilled.
Her brother, Richard Wilson, fondly recalled her extraordinary spirit:
“Every Christmas, Frances would send out to her employees a letter and tell them to pick out something to wear and a toy for their kids: put down a bicycle, she’d send them a bicycle. She’d spend thousands of dollars and they started asking for more all the time, but she never said no.”
Frances’ thoughtfulness extended well beyond the initial gift-giving. Observing that children often outgrew their beloved bicycles, she devised a quiet but impactful solution. She sent a trusted staff member to discreetly note which children needed new bikes. The following Christmas, those children would find a shiny new bicycle waiting under the tree. One particularly memorable year, Frances purchased 43 bicycles for her employees’ children, a testament to her warmth and generosity.
Just as Matilda had made the holidays magical for those at Meadow Brook, Frances continued a legacy of kindness that bridged the joy of Meadow Brook’s traditions with the enchantment of Christmas at Castleton Farms.
Together, their lives embody the spirit of the season—a testament to the power of giving, the importance of community, and the enduring influence of family traditions passed from one generation to the next. Their traditions of giving not only brightened lives but also created a legacy of love that continues to inspire.
