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Meadow Brook Hall

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Extraordinary women of Meadow Brook for Womens History Month.
March 23, 2023March 27, 2023

Extraordinary Women of Meadow Brook

In honor of Women's History Month, Meadow Brook Hall is showcasing several of the fascinating women who once lived here. This year, we are exploring... Read more
A beautiful cocktail hour at a wedding at Meadow Brook Hall.
March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

Wedding Blog: Making the Most of Cocktail Hour

Your wedding day is filled with so many big moments and big emotions. Make time to enjoy one of the most fun parts of the... Read more
Visitors at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan
March 6, 2023March 6, 2023

Survey: Why Do Museums Engage You?

At Meadow Brook Hall, we want to know how we can support and engage you in 2023 and beyond. Will you please share your thoughts... Read more
Meadow Brook Hall is a beautiful wedding venue in Rochester, Michigan
February 28, 2023

Meadow Brook Wedding featured in Wezoree

Hosting a wedding at Meadow Brook Hall is a dream for many couples, and one that came true for Andrew and Savana. Their stylish and sophisticated... Read more
In this time of hurt and healing, we invite MSU students, staff, and a guest to take a complimentary self-guided tour of Meadow Brook.
February 21, 2023

Free Admission for MSU Students & Staff

Meadow Brook Hall is the birthplace of Oakland University, which began in 1957 as a satellite campus of Michigan State University. Today, our history and our... Read more
Summer Camps at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan
February 20, 2023

Science, Arts and Writing Summer Camps to inspire creative students at Meadow Brook

This summer, Meadow Brook Hall will open its gates and grounds once more to creative students of all ages for the all-new Meadow Brook Science... Read more
Engagement photo shoot at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan
February 13, 2023February 13, 2023

Enter to win an Engagement Photo Shoot at Meadow Brook

Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate your love with a romantic chance to win! We've partnered with Mike Staff Productions to give away a one-hour engagement photo... Read more
The Dodge Brothers
February 9, 2023February 20, 2023

Celebrating the Dodge Brothers for National Inventors Day

February 11 is National Inventors' Day—an occasion that honors inventors of the past, the creators of the present, and encourages the architects of the future.... Read more
Beautiful wedding venue at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan
January 26, 2023January 26, 2023

Wedding Blog: You Said Yes! Now try our Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips

Saying yes to one of life's most important questions is a thrill like no other. It is wonderful to get engaged and create a beautiful... Read more

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Out of many inspiring Meadow Brook women to honor Out of many inspiring Meadow Brook women to honor during Women’s History Month, Mary Mathews was a hard-working woman whose efforts maintained the estate, family, and her community.

Meadow Brook ran as a matriarchal system with Matilda Dodge Wilson as head of the home and farm--an operation that ran smoothly with the help of her “right-hand lady” and closest confidant, Mary Mathews. Mary was considered part of the family and had exclusive permission to be in charge when Matilda was away.

Born to a white mother and black father, Mary faced many challenges but created a strong, independent life for herself.

Although most of Meadow Brook's staff lived on-site or in homes provided by the Wilson family, Mary had a house in Detroit that she devotedly commuted from each day. Because of systemic racial injustice at the time, Mary wasn’t legally allowed to purchase a home herself. Matilda bought the home and offered it to Mary as a gift, but Mary was persistent that she pay back every cent to earn and own her Detroit house.

Active in social causes, Mary Mathews was a member of the In-As-Much Circle of King’s Daughters and Sons, an organization that supported women of color. Mary held leadership positions and frequently planned fundraisers and events. Mary also started the Yitrahc Club (charity spelled backwards) to support a home for aged women of color. In 1948, Mary received a volunteer award at City Hall for her devoted work towards the betterment of her community.

Mary Mathew’s story is one of perseverance when faced with the many challenges of being a biracial woman in the time period. She was a beloved member of the home, an inspiration for social change and a determined, hard working woman.

Few photos of Mary remain. Pictured here:
📸Mary's 1923 passport photo 
📸Mary c. 1890 with her siblings, Samantha, Elnora and Oliver - provided courtesy of Mary's niece Elizabeth Jackson Browne. 
📸Meadow Brook Hall in 1929

#meadowbrookhall #meadowbrookestate #meadowbrook #matildadodgewilson #womenshistory #herstory #michiganhistory #oaklandcounty #rochester #thisisou #internationalwomensday #oaklanduniversity #nationalhistoriclandmark #womenshistorymonth #womenleaders
Find something unique this weekend. Meadow Brook Find something unique this weekend. 

Meadow Brook is filled with rare treasures and special spaces. We're open for tours - Guided & Self Guided - today and all weekend long. Hear stories of Meadow Brook Hall and the people who lived here during the 20th century on a guided tour or explore at your own pace for a day of adventure!

#meadowbrookhall #meadowbrookestate #meadowbrook #matildadodgewilson #nationalhistoriclandmark #historichousemuseum #museum #puremichigan #rochester #oaklandcounty #visitdetroit #explore #visit #historicmichigan #thingstododetroit #thingstodometrodetroit #puremittigan #detroit  #historichomes #thisisou
This Women’s History Month, we are showcasing so This Women’s History Month, we are showcasing some of the fascinating women who once lived here. Today, we are highlighting Barbara (Wilson) Eccles. Although Barbara is often remembered as a sweet debutant, her life tells an inspiring story of independence and resilience.

Barbara (Wilson) Eccles was the youngest child to grow up at the Meadow Brook Estate. Adopted into the family in 1931, Barbara was a beloved daughter, sister, and mother of five.

Her active childhood featured the many recreational activities the Estate had to offer, including swimming, sledding and riding horses and competing in horse shows.

Barbara raised her children as a single mother in a world where women did not have the same rights as men. After her father passed and her former husband was no longer in the picture, Barbara struggled to open her own bank account–even though 10 years prior her mother, Matilda Dodge Wilson, was named the Most Influential Woman in U.S Banking.

Barbara perservered and opened and operated a prominent country western nightclub in Scottsdale, Arizona. She named it “The Lumber Mill,” in honor of her father, Alfred Wilson, who was a prominent lumber broker. The two shared a close and loving relationship. The Lumber Mill saw a variety of talented musicians and was the spot where Barbara met and helped a young John Denver launch his career.

In a time where the rights of women made an independent life difficult, Barbara was determined to support herself and her family. She was a woman of great strength and persistence, forever remembered as the curious and charming daughter of Meadow Brook Hall.

Swipe to see photos of Barbara throughout her life, from her debutant portrait in 1950 to playing on the beach as a toddler, with a horse as a young girl, smiling with her father Alfred Wilson, and reunited with her brother Richard for his 80th birthday in her sunset years.

Tap the link in our bio for more!

#meadowbrookhall #meadowbrookestate #meadowbrook #matildadodgewilson #womenshistory #herstory #michiganhistory #oaklandcounty #rochester #thisisou #internationalwomensday #oaklanduniversity #nationalhistoriclandmark #womenshistorymonth #womenleaders

Meadow Brook Hall

350 Estate Drive
Rochester, Michigan 48309-4481

(248) 364-6200

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