ROCHESTER, MI – One of Michigan’s most historic homes has been vandalized, and the perpetrator is on the loose.
On Tuesday, February 4, a staff member at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester discovered that a set of historic stained glass windows had been broken.
The executive director of Meadow Brook Hall reports that the stained-glass windows at the top of the home’s two-story Gothic-inspired ballroom have sustained significant damage.
The glass windows depict scenes from various arts, such as music, literature, entertainment, and drama.
“This is a very distressing situation for all of us, from our staff and dedicated volunteers to the many members of our community who have visited, spent holidays here, and gotten married here,” said Meadow Brook Hall executive director Bill Matt.
“Frankly, it is upsetting to anyone who takes pride in having a remarkably beautiful National Historic Landmark in their community.”
Police have released security camera footage of the alleged vandal. You can view a photo of the alleged suspect here. Police say he appeared to kick one window and smash another with an unknown tool.
Anyone who can identify the suspected vandal or the logo on his jacket is asked to call the Oakland University Police Department at 248-370-3331 or email [email protected]. You can stay anonymous.
The damaged stained glass windows are original to the nearly century-old mansion.
J. Scott Williams created them specifically for this room and designed them to be viewed without distortion from both inside and outside, which is unusual given that stained glass is typically viewed best from the inside.
Meadow Brook claims to have recently received a grant to restore its stained glass windows, so the windows and casings were photographed and sketched prior to the damage.
The goal is to restore as many of the original materials as possible.
Meadow Brook Hall, located at 350 Estate Drive on the Oakland University campus, was constructed between 1926 and 1929 by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge, and her second husband, Alfred Wilson.
The house is 88,000 square feet and contains 110 rooms. Meadow Brook Hall, located on 1,400 acres, is the fourth largest historic house museum in the country.
