
Meadow Brook Hall, a National Historic Landmark located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills, has broken ground on the De Carlo Visitor Center. Construction is well underway and expected to be completed in the fall.
The new center will provide modern amenities and versatile spaces for the Great Estate to expand and enhance its vibrant collection of tours, events, educational programs, and community experiences.
The De Carlo Visitor Center will be a new standalone building located in a section of what is currently Meadow Brook’s visitor parking lot. No historic buildings or estate grounds will be impacted by construction.
“The construction of the De Carlo Visitor Center is a historic and momentous moment for Meadow Brook Hall, particularly as we celebrate our 95th anniversary this year,” says Bill Matt, executive director of Meadow Brook Hall.
“We have seen tremendous visitor growth at the estate in recent years and the time is right for us to establish the modern infrastructure for us to continue on this path — as a premier destination for families, couples, students, and people of all ages.”
The De Carlo Visitor Center will open up new avenues to share Meadow Brook’s story and history with the Diana and Ted Cunningham Orientation Gallery, and provide welcome spaces for gathering, helpful services, amenities, and more.
The visitor center also will establish a new formal entrance to the estate, rerouting the entrance to provide a magnificent first look at the historic home, which spans 88,000 square feet.
Built in 1929, Meadow Brook Hall is the historic home of Oakland University founders Alfred and Matilda Dodge Wilson, and the fourth largest historic home in the nation. In 2021, Meadow Brook celebrated its 50th year as an historic house museum, cultural center, and events and wedding venue.
Meadow Brook offers tours and community events throughout the year, such as the Holidays at Meadow Brook, after-dark Flashlight Tours, Mystery Dinners, Summer Art Camps, and more.
The De Carlo Visitor Center project has been designed to be set at the front of the visitor parking lot, a plan that will maintain the historic integrity of the estate while creating modern and functional spaces and a clear entry point for visitors.
A survey of parking needs has determined ample space remains. Adjacent lots will supplement parking needs for large-scale events.
HopkinsBurns Design Studio, an Ann Arbor-based architecture firm that specializes in historic preservation for properties such as the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, has been selected to design the Visitor Center.
Construction will be managed by Frank Rewold & Sons in Rochester, who has a special connection to the estate. Owner Frank Rewold Jr. is the grandson of the company’s founder Frank Rewold, who was Matilda Dodge Wilson’s personal handyman and built and repaired many of the structures at Meadow Brook and Oakland University.
A philanthropic campaign raised approximately $2 million of the planned $2.9 million facility. Several named giving opportunities are still available.
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Meadow Brook Hall is fully self-supporting, relying on touring, special events, and facility rental revenue for preservation and interpretation. For more information, call 248-364-6200 or visit meadowbrookhall.org.