Meadow Brook Hall has thrown open its doors and pushed back shower curtains on 24 closets and bathrooms as part of its new “Out of the Closet” tour. Contents of cabinets and drawers and even the openings of secret vaults and staircases will be revealed for the first time to the public.

Although tours of Meadow Brook Hall began in 1971, certain areas of the historic house museum have never been open to the public. The "Out of the Closet" tour will grant access to many previously off-limit areas, including the closets, bathrooms, secret vaults and staircases. From the handmade tile to elegant gold-plated fixtures and huge walk-in closets, visitors will get a glimpse of what life was really like for the Dodge-Wilson family during Meadow Brook Hall’s heyday.

To celebrate the new tour and to officially launch its local featured artist series, Meadow Brook Hall is holding a gallery opening and reception Thursday, March 13, highlighting the photography of Rochester Hills resident Lorraine Leigh.

Meadow Brook Hall’s featured artist series will transform the Hall’s Café Cappuccino and Fountain Room into galleries, showcasing the talents of local artists. Every three months a new artist will be featured, exposing Meadow Brook Hall visitors to a wide variety of artistic mediums and giving maximum exposure to up-and-coming artists. All works displayed in the gallery will be available for purchase.

"Matilda Dodge Wilson was a huge patron of the arts and especially interested in discovering and supporting local artists," said Sally Victor, interim director of Meadow Brook Hall. "It is only fitting that as we kick off our new ‘Out of the Closet’ tours, our first featured artist, Lorraine Leigh, focuses her work on Meadow Brook Hall – unveiling the secrets and stories of the past."

Admission to the gallery opening is free, although donations are welcome. The event features a wine and cheese reception and an "Out of the Closet" tour. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more information of reservations, call (248) 370-3140.

Listed on both the national and state registers of historic places, Meadow Brook Hall is the fourth largest historic house museum in the United States and is especially renowned for its superb craftsmanship, architectural detailing and grand scale. Built in the 1920s as the residence of Oakland University founders, Matilda Dodge Wilson (widow of auto pioneer John Dodge) and her second husband lumber broker Alfred G. Wilson, the 110-room, 88,000-square-foot, Tudor-revival style mansion is complete with vast collections of original art and furnishings.