Jun 10, 2009

Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens!


Today, I am sharing one the historic treasures of Michigan, Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens. This is a magnificent, whimsical jewel, which was correctly nicknamed America’s Castle. It has spectacular architectural details and beautiful well tended gardens. Originally, it was built as a private residence for Matilda Dodge Wilson and her second husband Alfred G. Wilson. After four years of construction it was completed in 1929 and was a private family residence for twenty years.It is now open to the public and tours of its interior are available. The gardens are open year round and are free. There are many special events held throughout the year, including the fabulous Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. The mansion is an absolute must see destination if you are in the area.


You know you have arrived somewhere special when you reach the grand front entrance, which is located at the end of a gracious circular driveway. The mansion is nestled in a secluded wooded setting on the campus of Oakland University.



It cost approximately $4 million to build, has 110 rooms, 88,000 square feet, 39 chimneys, 24 fireplaces, 25 bathrooms, 23 bedrooms and 68 closets!


Stonework Tracery Trefoil Windows

A design motif with three lobes of foils originally used as ornament on Gothic cathedrals.


English Walled Garden

There are 14 "secret gardens" to explore.




This volunteer organization is an instrumental part of maintaining the colorful gardens.



One of the many lovely patios with a row of arched palladium windows.




There are 48 stained glass window medallions and 41 of them are Tiffany.


Half Timbering

A half timbering building has exposed wood framing. The spaces between the timbers are filled with plaster, brick, or stone.



Pegasus Fountain Garden

The winged horse that was fathered by Poscidon with Medusa.


Meadow Brook Hall Gate House



This is a wonderful spot that I am Hooked On and one that is part of My Beautiful Life. When you are finished looking around here be sure and visit our gracious hostesses; Melissa, at The Inspired Room and Julia, at Hooked on Houses for more participants.


Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday! I want to thank our lovely hostess Susan, from A Southern Dreamer for organizing this inspirational weekly event. When you are finished looking around here, wander over to Susan’s site to view more Outdoor Wednesday participants.

. 11:00 AM

49 Comments. *Click to leave a comment*:

  1. that will leave you speechless!
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  2. Your photos make me want to jump in the car and head for Michigan. What a lovely way to spend the afternoon! The first picture of the fountain is my favorite.
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  3. What I love about these photo memes, is that I can get to know places from all over the world. It's interesting, I love it !
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  4. Hi Cathy!

    What a an unbelievable feast for the eyes! Such incredible architecture and gorgeous statuary! I would love to visit this place in person! I can only imagine how gorgeous it must be on the inside as well!

    Thanks for the tour!!
    Have a wonderful Wednesday!
    Sherri:)
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  5. Cathy, Your photos of this place are gorgeous- the brick & half-timber buildings, the gardens, the windows........ I'm glad I wasn't a maid in that household- 23 bedrooms?! Whew... Thanks for sharing this American castle. :-) Sue
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  7. Cathy, these are beautiful photos of a wonderful place. Thank you for sharing them with us. Have a wonderful day.
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  8. Thank you so much for sharing this treasure.
    I am with Sue about the many windows, but such
    magnificient windows. The interior must be
    fabulous. Those were the days of large house-
    hold staffs. What a great architechural legacy
    right there in Rochester.
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  9. Happy Outdoor Wednesday Cathy! What a beautiful place! I would love to wander around the 14 secret gardens! Thanks for sharing your photos.~ Susan
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  10. My, what a grand place to visit. When you said how many rooms were in that mansion I had to laugh. All I could think about was how badly my kids could mess up that place if we lived there. Ha ha. It was so beautiful, I really loved the gardens too. Thank you for the tour.

    Jennifer
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  11. oh wow this is beautiful, reminds me of England

    Sarah
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  12. Hi Cathy,
    Thank you for such a guided tour of a magnificent estate. Wow, I am glad I don't have to clean those chambers, but it is lovely to be able to look at your photos :) Those english gardens are just lovely, aren't they?

    Crystal
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  13. Just like a fairy tale.
    Joyce
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  14. Hello Cathy, what a wonderful tour of that gorgeous old home and gardens. Just beautiful and I also enjoyed the facts about the home. I once visited the Dodge Mansion in MI. I was visiting my cousin who lives in Oxford,MI. It was a thrilling tour as well.

    Hugs...Jeanne
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  15. Simply amazing photographs! What a treat!

    Laura
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  16. Ohhh what a find. Wouldnt that be so fun to wander those gardens?

    TTFN ~~Claudia
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  17. Hi Cathy, oh my gosh, i love to take tours such as this, absolutely beautiful and the details are breath taking. thank you for stopping by and for your kind words on my cabinet makeover.
    hugs
    janet
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  18. Cathy, Thanks for the fun tour. I've never visited MI. until now! What a glorious home.
    and the gardens..............
    great photos.
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  19. HI Cathy, thanks for stopping by my blog! Your photos here are beautiful!
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  20. I love that place! Especially those "purple" goodies basking in the sun! LOL (I love my purple). Sorry for the late visit, I've been trying to stay sane while entertaining the kids, keeping this summer inexpensive and fun!

    I'm sure you know what I mean!

    Great photos again, Cathy! You sure know how to pick your subjects!
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  21. Cathy, it's called "Antiqueing Faux Glaze" by American Tradition. I'm sure it came from Lowe's but it might be from Home Depot.
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  22. what a gorgeous mansion....such fantastic architecture.
    and i love all the wonderful gardens.
    sure wish i had a secret garden :)
    welcome to our blog! we look forward to getting to know you better.
    chasity
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  23. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your kind words were so nice. What beautiful photographs you have. I know I'll be back visiting soon.
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  24. These photos make me want to move out of the city and live among nature again...

    perhaps one day.
    thanks for these inspiring photos.
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  25. What a wonderful to live in (in my dreams). WOuld love to move in and live as a queen of Nature.

    Have a blissful Friday.
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  26. What a lovely treat...I really enjoyed reading and looking at the photos in this interesting post.
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  27. Thanks for posting on my blog Cathy, these gardens are beautiful! I just love spending time in the garden at home or out of the home.
    Leslie
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  28. Lovely photos & from a fellow Michigander!:o)...I also LOVE Kirk in the Hills Church...supposedly there is a 2 year wait to have a wedding there...it's like a church you'd see in Europe!
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  29. Wonderful photos. They remind me very much of my home town in Cambridge, England. That gate leading into the walled garden is calling to me loud and clear!
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  30. Love, love, love this post!! I adore historical houses, as you know----and I love touring them---that is mainly what I did when I went to Ireland last spring----saw EVERY castle and manor there. Loved it!

    Thanks for sharing.
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  31. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    I just posted the last Disney post....

    Hope you will enjoy it.

    Stop by when you have some time.
    I love all my new blog friends.
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  32. Oh, this was such a treat! What gorgeous architecture and gardens! Thank you for sharing all of this beauty. I'd never find anything if I had 67 closets!! (I guess the servants would know where everything was though)! laurie
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  33. Absolutely exquisite blog, Cathy, and this post is spectacular. The photo titled Stonework Tracery Trefoil Windows just took my breath away. Something about it made me feel homesick and hopeful.
    Thank you for your fascinating comments at my blog.
    I'll so enjoy following your blog.
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  34. Cathy,
    This is a great post! I can see why the hall & garden is nicknamed America's Castle. Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog! Appreciate your support.
    xo,
    cristin
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  36. What great architecture! I love all the windows!
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  37. The architecture of this building is beautiful. No one does work like that today do they?
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  38. Hello Cathy, Waving! :)
    I've missed you!

    Thank you for coming by when our puter was down the last few days. You're the sweetest friend ever and I really appreciate you.

    What a gorgeous place Cathy! ~Stunning!

    Have a wonderful week.
    ~Melissa :)
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  39. Wonderful photographs Cathy - I feel like you were in England and I imagine the secret gardens were gorgeous. Thank you for the tour, xv.
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  40. Hi Cathy, this is amazing and truly something to see and appreciate. Your pictures are wonderful....thank you for sharing.

    Barb
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  41. WOW! Can you even imagine what it would be like to live in such a house? Thanks for sharing this lovely house!
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  42. What amazing structure and detail. . .Great that they share this beauty with the rest of the world now. . .Love all the pics!
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  43. Wonderful photos of a beautiful place.

    Carolyn
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  44. Wow, certainly worth a visit - thanks for sharing! I love especially the Tiffany windows!
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  45. Thank You! Now I have a new destination to add to my "Places to go" list - love it and ADORE your blog! Thank you for the kind words.
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  46. An awesome building. There are a lot of glassed entrances and windows, so that people inside can enjoy the nature from inside, or easily go out and emerge themselves in the garden. The set up also makes it easy to decorate, as even simple decor will look fantastic.

    Nicolette
    http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com/
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  47. I love walking through old places and imagining what life might have been like had I been there. It all seems so romantic, doesn't it? I am guessing that a few weeks without modern conveniences might change my mind about the romance though... :)
    xo
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  48. Thanks for joining my journey cathy & it really is a small world. I relocated to AZ last year from...wait..Royal Oak!!!!
    I love Oakland U & it feels weird not to have tickets to any concerts at Meadowbrook too!!!
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  49. I was raised in that area as a child and have been to Meadowbrook many times... Was fun to take the trip via blogland...Thank you for posting, xoxo~Kathy@ Sweet Up-North Mornings.blogspot.com.... Us Michiganders must stick together!!Ha!
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Thank you for visiting I appreciate your comments!
Cathy

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