Latest news with #MeadowBrook
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meadow Brook Hall launches donor club to replace vandalized stained-glass windows
A bit of regional history was shattered on Feb. 4 when an attack of vandalism destroyed some of the historic stained-glass windows at Rochester's Meadow Brook Hall. In response, Meadow Brook launched The 1929 Club this week, an all-new giving program where members can commit to donating $19.29 monthly. Named for the year of Meadow Brook's founding, The 1929 Club will raise funds to support the care and preservation of the historic estate and its more than 75,000 artifacts. It also kicks off the major project of securing the necessary $35,000 to restore the stained-glass windows. Meadow Brook states that only 150 donors at the $19.29 per month (for one year) level are needed to meet the goal. The program is supported by Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, who also joined as the club's inaugural member. 'As mayor of Rochester Hills, I take great pride in the unique gems that make our community special – and one of those is certainly Meadow Brook Hall, our nationally recognized historic venue located right down the street,' said Barnett. 'After the vandalism, we want to get Meadow Brook Hall looking beautiful and back on its feet as quickly as possible. I'm asking you today to consider joining me as an inaugural member of The 1929 Club.' See also: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' at Detroit Repertory Theatre delivers a solid performance Meadow Brook recently secured a substantial grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to restore the stained glass windows and complete important window improvement projects – including replacing UV filters to protect the furnishings and collection – this spring. Because of this work, Meadow Brook possesses detailed etchings and images that will help restore the windows to their original design. Unfortunately, the cost to repair the damage to the windows is estimated at $35,000 above and beyond what was allotted by the grant, hence the advent of The 1929 Club. The historic stained-glass windows were custom-created and designed for the estate's two-story Gothic-inspired ballroom. They depict scenes of the arts, including music, literature, entertainment, and drama. The windows were designed so they could be viewed without distortion from both sides (inside and outside), which is slightly unusual because stained glass is typically viewed best from the inside and not the exterior. The stained-glass windows are original to the historic mansion, which is 95 years old. To make a gift to Meadow Brook or to join The 1929 Club, visit Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Meadow Brook Hall donor club to replace vandalized stained glass
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
Historic stained glass windows at Meadow Brook Hall shattered, police search for suspect
The stained glass windows in Meadow Brook Hall's two-story ballroom have withstood time for nearly a century, but on Monday night, an act of vandalism left a set shattered. Staff discovered the broken glass early Tuesday, according to a news release from Meadow Brook. The Oakland University Police Department is investigating the incident, as the mansion is located on the university's campus in Rochester. The suspect was seen in security footage kicking one window and using an unknown tool to smash another, the historic house and museum released. The original stained-glass windows are as old as the mansion itself — 95 years. They were installed when the estate was originally built in 1929 and depict scenes of music, literature, entertainment, and drama. 'This is a very distressing situation for all of us at Meadow Brook Hall — from our staff and dedicated volunteers to the many members of our community who have visited, spent holidays here, gotten married here,' the estate's executive director, Bill Matt, said in the release. 'It is upsetting to anyone who takes pride in having a remarkably beautiful National Historic Landmark in their community." More: Detroit priest charged after allegedly placing minor's hair in his mouth during relic tour More: Windsor mayor points to tariff threat as reason to kill Tunnel Bus The windows were created specifically for the Gothic-inspired ballroom by J. Scott Williams, an artist who died in 1975 at age 98. Designed to be viewed clearly from inside and outside, they are unusual since stained glass is typically best considered only from the inside, according to the estate. While the damage is significant, Meadow Brook Hall said it had already planned to restore the windows this spring with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, officials said. The windows and casings were recently photographed and sketched in preparation. A conservator will restore as much of the original material as possible, according to the release. The damaged windows have been removed and plexiglass has been installed instead. The restoration and replacement of all the stained glass windows will proceed on schedule as part of the original plan. The suspect, whose face was covered, was wearing a maroon hat and a black jacket with a red symbol at the time of the incident. Anyone who can identify the suspect or the jacket's logo is urged to contact the Oakland University Police Department at 248-370-3331 or info@ Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@ Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Vandal shatters historic stained glass windows at Meadow Brook Hall
