Curator Launches Volunteer Collections Care Program

With museums across the country relying more and more on the assistance of volunteers to help with operational needs,Meadow Brook Hall is fortunate to have a solid core of dedicated volunteers who are willing to lend their time for a variety of museum activities including building and collections care. Expanding on previous efforts which included special “volunteer cleaning days” the formation of a new collections care program was recently launched to address the overwhelming task of caring for The Hall’s numerous interior spaces and vast collection of decorative arts. The first phase of the program kicked-off in late summer with collections care training sessions conducted by Meadow Brook Hall curator, Meredith Long. In the next phase the volunteers will be divided into “care teams” and assigned a specific room. The teams,under the direct supervision of the Curator and Facilities Manager will work alongside The Hall’s cleaning staff and will be responsible for the delicate cleaning of artifacts,object research and submitting month conditions reports that will help track degradation issues. This volunteer stewardship program will greatly assist the efforts of the curatorial department and ensure the long-term care and preservation of The Hall’s collections. Go Team!

EXPLORE THE COLLECTION:

Paperweight Vase with White Dogwood Flowers, 1919
Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, 1848-1933)
Favrile glass, 15 5/16 inches high

Explore the world of the Decorative Arts at Meadow Brook Hall. Collected in the 20th century by the Dodge and Wilson families, our collection encompasses some of the finest objects from companies around the world including Sevre, Tiffany, Lalique, Rookwood, Oscar Bach and Paul Poiret. Also on view are original custom decorative objects and furniture created between 1926 and 1929 from interior design firms such as Hampton Shops and Hayden Company for Meadow Brook Hall.

The Virgin and Child
Raffaellina de Garbo (1476-1524)
Oil on Panel, framed 28" x 16"

As you tour Meadow Brook, you will have the chance to view the collection of fine art the family amassed. Although the collection spans multiple centuries and cultures, the collection focuses mostly on the 19th century artists that the Wilsons enjoyed. Especially prominent are landscape paintings and family portraits.

Coat of black wool lined in red crepe, edging of gold metallic braid and gilded leather, 1924
Paul Poiret (French, 1879-1944)

Meadow Brook Hall is graced by many original textiles, both in our extensive costume collection (periodically on view) and our decorative collection. Antique tapestries, rugs and linens showcase the extraordinary skill that went into many of these works and represent an area of craft that is often underappreciated today.

Limestone Carved Corbel, 1927
Designed by Corrado Parducci

Meadow Brook Hall is the preeminent example of Tudor revival architecture in the United States. At 88,000 square feet, the home boast exquisite architectural ornamentation and detailing by top craftsmen in woodworking, masonry, plaster and metal work. Every room provides a new surprise whether you are exploring stories from Alfred Wilson's life carved into the Frieze of his private study, passing finely modeled custom door hardware or staring in awe at one of the region's most beautiful plaster ceilings.

Pegasus on Mount Helicon, 1949
Avard Fairbanks (1897-1987)
Bronze with Verdigris patina

While few of the original gardens were ever fully constructed, the 1928 plan created by English landscape architect Arthur Davidson for Meadow Brook Hall originally called for a wide variety of formal and informal gardens. Today some of those original features exist and intermingle with modern gardens that continue to inspire with their beauty. The Pegasus garden (seen here) was part of the original design but was not completed until 1949. It features the striking figure of Pegasus on Mount Helicon and was created by famed sculptor Avard Fairbanks, who designed the original Dodge Ram hood ornament. It is one of two sculptures of his that grace our landscape.

Click HERE to view an Interactive Estate Map of the gardens at Meadow Brook Hall.