Original Construction
1908 / 1928
Size
N/A / 1,400 sqft
Completion Date
2010

The John Dodge House represents the early days of Meadow Brook Farms. John and Matilda Dodge, co-founders of Dodge Brothers Motor Cars, purchased the home in 1908 as a weekend retreat in the countryside of Rochester. It underwent significant additions over the next ten years, carrying the details of a typical Colonial Revival country home. The Meadow Brook Gatehouse stands at the historic entrance to the Meadow Brook estate. Built in 1928, it was designed for a recently widowed Matilda Dodge Wilson by the Detroit architecture firm Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls.

In 2009, HopkinsBurns Design Studio was commissioned to evaluate these two pivotal historic structures, conducting a comprehensive existing conditions study to establish clear priorities ranging from immediate building stabilization to long-term restoration and adaptive reuse. Following their assessment, HopkinsBurns was retained in 2010 to directly implement the first phase of priority stabilization work. Through their work, the structural integrity of both the John Dodge House and the Meadow Brook Gatehouse was preserved, saving the rich architectural heritage of both estates for future generations.