Women’s History Month provides the perfect opportunity to delve into the remarkable lives and accomplishments of the women of Meadow Brook Hall. Indeed, the Dodge and Wilson family trees provide strong and varied branches on each side, carrying unique personalities, vision and an inimitable style across generations.
At Meadow Brook, there are many women to discover this month – from Matilda Dodge Wilson, the dynamic matriarch, philanthropist, social activist and key player in the automotive aristocracy, to the glamor girl and equestrian Frances Dodge, the daring trend-setter Delphine Dodge and beyond. Follow along with us this month in our special series for Women’s History Month!
Known as “Detroit’s #1 Glamor Girl” for her sparkling personality, adventurous spirit and impeccable style, Frances Dodge lived a life of prestige and glamour, growing up in the opulent surroundings of Meadow Brook Hall, where she was immersed in the cultural sophistication that defined one of Michigan’s most prominent families.
For Frances’ 12th birthday, her parents surprised her with her own playhouse, Knole Cottage. This darling six-room brick retreat was the first all-electric powered home of any type in the greater Detroit area.
Around the same time, Frances received her first pony, Lassie, sparking a deep passion for horses that would only grow stronger over her lifetime. As a family, they began competing in horse shows and bringing home many trophies.
When they were not in equestrian arenas, Frances studied at Mount Vernon Seminary boarding school in Washington, D.C. This prestigious institution was a perfect fit for Frances, who was raised in high society and expected to excel in both academics and social graces. In June 1933, Frances graduated and soon turned her attention to social events. At 19, her highly anticipated debutante ball took place at the ultra-chic Book-Cadillac Hotel, where the extravagant celebration dazzled more than 600 guests, marking a grand milestone in her life.
Knowing she would soon receive her Dodge inheritance, she treated her parents to a spectacular cross-continental journey in 1934. During their six-month excursion, Frances, Matilda and Alfred would visit 58 cities and cover 33,048 miles.
That fall, she studied interior design at Marion Coats Graves School in New York City. But once Frances returned home, she was again singularly focused on equestrian competitions. By age 21, she owned 80 horses. Her recently established “Dodge Stables” boasted state-of-the art barns. Horses were Frances’ passion, but they also ignited a new love – equine journalist James B. Johnson, Jr. The two were wed in July 1938 with nearly 900 guests at Meadow Brook Hall.
By her 25th birthday, Frances had already firmly established herself as a socialite, an accomplished equestrian, and a key figure in Detroit’s elite circles. Her surprise birthday party that year is the stuff of American aristocratic legend.
Frances planned on an intimate dinner celebration with her family in the Christopher Wren Dining Room at Meadow Brook Hall. When they got up from the table, Frances was greeted by hundreds of her friends in the family ballroom—to the tune of the Tommy Dorsey orchestra sung by Frank Sinatra.
Frances’s unwavering passion for horse racing elevated Dodge Stables to unprecedented heights, establishing her breeding program as a powerhouse for producing champions. Her lifelong love for horses was seamlessly intertwined with her business acumen—she owned the Detroit Race Track (Wolverine Raceway) for trotters, as well as the Pompano Race Track in Florida, where her brother Richard served as track manager. In 1941, James and Frances welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Judith Frances Johnson.
In 1945, the Johnsons bought Castleton Farms, one of the finest estates in Lexington, Kentucky, and within a few years had moved the Dodge Stables operation there. In April, after nearly a decade together, Frances and James divorced. In January 1949, Frances married Frederick Van Lennep, an advertising executive from Philadelphia. With one child each from their former marriages, they would also have two children together, Fredericka and John.
With passion and vision, Frances built an equestrian empire that transformed the world of show horses and harness racing. She won many national awards in her career and was considered one of the women pioneers in the sport. Notably, she set the record for trotting under saddle—a benchmark that stood for 54 years until a horse bred by one of her daughters surpassed her feat. In 1972, her enduring legacy was honored with a posthumous induction into the World Championship Horse Show Hall of Fame.
From the refined elegance of Meadow Brook Hall to the roaring excitement of the racetracks, Frances seamlessly balanced the demands of high society with an unwavering passion for horses. Her visionary leadership transformed the world of equestrian sports, establishing Dodge Stables and Castleton Farms as pillars of excellence, and cementing her status as a pioneering force in the industry. Even as her personal life evolved through bold adventures and profound love, her legacy of innovation and ambition continues to inspire and endure.
Be captivated by the people, places and tales that make Meadow Brook Hall so remarkable. Our Estate Stories series unlocks the vaults, dives into the archives and seeks out tales of the Great Estate to pique your interest and enrich your life.
