After a successful first year, Meadow Brook Hall’s monthly giving program, The 1929 Club, has set its sights on a new major initiative—raising funds to support the historic mansion’s aging timber restoration project.
The 1929 Club is a monthly giving club that asks members to give $19.29 a month to support Meadow Brook’s collections and restoration work. It is named for 1929—the year that Meadow Brook was founded.
Meadow Brook kicked off the program in February 2025 by raising the extra $35,000 in funds needed to restore the historic stained-glass windows in the ballroom that were damaged by a senseless act of vandalism. Click here to learn more about the vandalism and restoration process.
“We have been absolutely blown away by the incredible community support we have seen since launching the 1929 Club,” said Meadow Brook Executive Director Bill Matt. “What began as a shocking act of vandalism has transformed into a remarkable rallying point to protect and preserve this National Historic Landmark. Today, we are building on this momentum to restore and repair some of the aging timber across the estate.”
Now, the club seeks to raise $25,000 annually to help tackle more substantial projects across the historic estate.
Additionally, Meadow Brook has secured an award from the Matilda R. Wilson Fund that will allocate $100,000 per year for two years towards the timber restoration. Pairing the 1929 Club with this foundation support will have a big impact on preserving this National Historic Landmark.
join the 1929 clubRestoring Meadow Brook’s Aging Timber
Meadow Brook’s next major restoration project is to repair the timber on the East side of Meadow Brook Hall and the historic garage & carriage house. This is a massive project that is kicking off this spring.
As the nation’s finest example of Tudor-revival architecture, Meadow Brook Hall features a great deal of beautiful structural and decorative half-timbering, all of which is original to the house and nearly a century old. The timber is Douglass Fir, which is the same material used in many areas inside the house, including the ballroom and undercroft. It is also the same material chosen for Meadow Brook’s De Carlo Visitor Center, which opened in late 2024.
Decades of Michigan weather have taken their toll and some sections of the timber are in urgent need of repair, with significant crumbling, dry rot and even holes from wildlife and exposure. Much of the affected timber is decorative, and also includes window casings, window sills and fascia wood that helps maintain the integrity of the many windows across the estate.
Meadow Brook’s team has been planning for this project alongside Oakland University’s Facilities Management team to conduct assessments and determine the scope of the deterioration and restoration needs.
At 88,000 square feet, Meadow Brook is the fourth largest historic home in the nation. With such a massive property, the timber restoration project has the potential to continue for some time to come.
See the Timber Restoration Video
Get an up-close look at some of the aging timber that will be restored through the project.
About the Collections
Meadow Brook’s collection of more than 75,000 artifacts includes original paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, furniture, ceramics, carpets, glass, silver, costumes and antique textiles, family archival materials, and Dodge Motor Car Company memorabilia. Highlights include Tiffany art glass, costumes by Paul Poiret, Stickley furniture, paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sèvres and Meissen porcelain, and Rookwood pottery.
This expansive collection requires expert care and conservation. Your support will have a big impact on this community treasure by supporting the care and preservation of the historic estate.
join the 1929 club