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Today, our curator Madelyn Chrapla will take us through Knole Cottage—the darling playhouse of France Dodge that was known as the “World’s Finest Doll House.”

Knole Cottage was built for Frances Dodge for her 12th birthday in 1926 – making it older than Meadow Brook Hall! Knole Cottage is perfectly built to ¾ scale and was intended to teach Frances the art of independent homemaking, including decorating the playhouse and managing a checkbook.

The six-room cottage was furnished with child size furniture, textiles, decorative art, and fully functioning appliances. Admission to Meadow Brook’s playhouses are included with a tour ticket or grounds pass on Fridays – Mondays throughout the summer. Plan your visit today to see Meadow Brook’s charming fairy cottage playhouse—Knole Cottage!

Meadow Brook Members are our biggest supporters. To celebrate and show our gratitude, we’re hosting a special Member Appreciation Week filled with fun – plus discounts, giveaways and special activities Aug. 18-24.

All members who visit during Member Appreciation Week will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to this year’s glamorous holiday soiree, Starlight Stroll.

Check out our full lineup of fun!

This September, Meadow Brook’s annual floral art tour will transform the estate grounds into a breathtaking celebration of color and nature with Art in the Elements.

Experience beauty inside & out, with floral displays inside the historic mansion that complement the large installations across the woodland paths. Admission includes self-guided touring and the chance to explore the playhouses at the estate. This limited-run event will captivate visitors of all ages, sparking wonder and inspiration at every turn.

Art in the Elements kicks off with a special preview evening on Thursday, Sept. 4 that includes a cash bar. The tour runs Friday, Sept. 5 – Sunday, Sept. 7. Tickets are on sale now!

It may be summer now, but we can just hear the sound of sleigh bells in the distance! The Holidays at Meadow Brook will bring you indoor sights and outdoor lights with our two dazzling attractions – Holiday Walk and Winter Wonder Lights from Friday, Nov. 28 through Tuesday, Dec. 30.

PLUS, we’re celebrating Christmas in July by opening up ticket sales for select holiday events – including returning favorites Starlight Stroll and Holiday Tea & Tour. New this year are Very Merry Brunch and Tannenbaum Teas! Plan your merry today!

Photo shoots are more than a way to fill the frames on your mantle and update your social media feed. They are a way to bottle up the magic of life’s changing seasons and hold onto it long beyond when the newlywed sparkle settles and the children grow so tall.

Meadow Brook Hall is a beautiful backdrop – and we host photo sessions for life’s special moments, especially engagements, weddings, family photos and senior portraits.

Meadow Brook Hall’s Katie Higgins was featured in this great article with Voyage Michigan. In the piece, Katie shares highlights from her work managing the Great Estate’s marketing & communications, keys to navigating an ever-changing digital media landscape & a few lessons learned along the way. Click to read the full interview!

Experience the irresistible summer romance of Patrick Swayze & Jennifer Grey in “Dirty Dancing” at Meadow Brook this July. Our last summertime Dinner & a Movie night is perfect for a date or girl’s night out.

See the classic flick projected on the big screen in our historic two-story Gothic-inspired ballroom after enjoying a casual three-course dinner and cash bar in the Christopher Wren Dining Room. Don’t miss this great night out!

Join us for Nightfall at The Hall: The Meadow Brook Benefit. We’re back with our biggest fundraiser of the year (formerly Wild Game Dinner) on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Sip cocktails, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, live music and explore our unique selection of silent auction items along the loggia terrace as the sun sets over the Great Estate. Choose from jewelry, travel experiences, exclusive packages, outdoors gear, hunting rifles and much more.

Dive into fun with us this summer at Meadow Brook Hall! Check out these great activities at the Great Estate:

☀️Explore our playhouses – Knole Cottage, Dan’s Cabin, Wilson Playhouse
☀️Gnome Scavenger Hunt for children
☀️Historic vehicles on display
☀️New grounds pass to see our 20 incredible gardens & more
☀️Fun summer events – Yoga in the Garden & Summer Concerts
☀️ & so much more!

Getting married and beginning a new family are some of the most significant and exciting experiences in a person’s life. The path to a wedding or a new baby is filled with many celebrations, with the wedding shower or baby shower being one of the most special.

With a history of hospitality, Meadow Brook’s beautiful spaces, first-class service and inspired cuisine are a perfect match for a wedding or baby shower.

Bring a date or friends to enjoy live performances by some of Metro Detroit’s most talented musicians. Come early to explore the grounds and bring your own picnic dinner to enjoy in the Garden Tent. Outside food is allowed, but all beverages must be purchased at the cash bar.

This popular evening includes a cash bar, fun snacks, self-guided touring of the historic mansion during the talent break, and takes place in our beautiful Garden Tent, rain or shine.

Tickets are selling fast! Book yours today for your most fun night of the summer!

Today, we are shining a spotlight on an incredible volunteer: Marianne Raffin, who sews history with heart. Marianne was recently recognized by the United Way of Southeastern Michigan for her exceptional commitment to volunteerism.

Marianne has contributed to Meadow Brook Hall in a wide variety of roles: as a docent, in preservation work and especially during the holiday season, which she finds particularly magical at Meadow Brook. She is also a proud member of the Meadow Brook Garden Club and The Questers, an organization focused on preservation, restoration, and education. Through The Questers, she has helped secure grants to support Meadow Brook’s mission.