Feature: Brook Lodge
ANOTHER CROWN JEWEL FOR MSU
The secret is out! Secluded from the public for over 50 years, Brook Lodge Hotel & Conference Resort was a private retreat for the exclusive use of Upjohn & Pharmacia employees. A mystique had grown up around it and people were very curious to see this special place. Now they can . . . In March of 2000, this jewel-like property was generously gifted to Michigan State University by Pharmacia Corporation and it is open to the public for business retreats, meetings, weddings, special events, or a luxurious get-away weekend.
One weekend last Spring, we decided to experience Brook Lodge for ourselves. A pleasant, one-hour drive from Lansing, brought us to the curving entry drive. As we entered the grounds, we could sense that we had come to a very special place. Trees and shrubs of every variety line the approach of the village type resort. Flowers were blooming everywhere. The driveway winds past several of the charming guest cottages, ending in a circular drive in front of Upjohn Hall, where the Registration Desk is located. As we stepped out of the car, we could no longer hear the sounds of traffic, only the singing of the birds. As far as our eyes could see, were vistas of green and rolling, manicured lawns, peony gardens, well tended beds of annual flowers, and trim, attractive brick buildings and cottages with freshly painted white trim. One cannot help but be favorably impressed with Brook Lodge, it is unquestionably a true beauty spot.
Our overnight stay was in the Brookside Cottage, formerly the gardener’s cottage during Dr. Upjohn’s tenure. Brookside has two bedrooms, each with a private bath, a common living room with a wet bar, and a sun room. There are two, easy to operate, gas fireplaces. A jacuzzi bath adjoins one of the bedrooms. Satiny sheets, feather pillows, and wonderfully thick bath towels added yet another layer to the elegant ambiance of the cottage.
Brookside would be a perfect spot for the most discriminating CEO or guest, a memorable honeymoon cottage, or a weekend of rest and luxury. There are 47 sleeping rooms in eight distinctive cottages. Each cottage has a common living area, for relaxing and gathering at the end of the day. Many of the original paintings, sculpture, historic furniture and artifacts, remain in the buildings and cottages, and they have now been secured or placed in protective cases. To honor the University’s commitment, all of the new furnishings and decorating have been carefully selected to retain the character and preserve the history and integrity of Brook Lodge.
A full time gardening staff is kept busy year around, since Brook Lodge is a four season Conference Resort and each season brings its special challenges and opportunities. The immediate grounds of the “Village,” or about 14 acres, are meticulously groomed. During our stay, we walked the nature paths lacing the 637 acres. Some of the paths follow the river which flows into the millpond in front of the Dining Hall. We were treated to the fragrance of Honeysuckle and Jasmine along the way, hills that were bright blue with Forget-me-nots, wild Trillium, and the sight of two beautiful swans nudging their little babies along in a pond of lilly pads.
In the crisp early morning we bicycled on the country roads surrounding Brook Lodge, and nearby Augusta, a charming little village. Golfers would be in heaven, with 18 courses within minutes of Brook Lodge.
Originally, the 40-acre dairy farm was purchased in 1895 by Dr. William E. Upjohn, founder of the Upjohn Company, to use as a vacation retreat for his family. He eventually converted the creamery on the property to a seven bedroom summer cottage. Over the years, Dr. “Will,” as he was fondly known, worked on improving and adding to the 40 acre estate.
The swimming pool has been removed and a gazebo now stands by the brook. It is a favorite location for some of the beautiful weddings held at Brook Lodge. The Japanese Garden across the mill pond from the Dining Hall was inspired by a guest from Japan who was particularly pleased with his stay at Brook Lodge. So he sent an authentic temple lantern as a token of his appreciation.
In 1956, some 24 years after Dr. Upjohn’s death, the Company purchased Brook Lodge from the family’s estate and began the transformation into a full-service conference center for the Upjohn employees. It continued to function as an exclusive corporate retreat when Pharmacia Corporation merged with Upjohn and became Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, but by the 1990's, the Company, now called Pharmacia Corporation, decided it was time to divest itself of the expensive upkeep of the property. Because of the history connected with Dr. Upjohn, the Upjohn family wanted to be sure that his legacy would be honored by any new owner. Inquiries were made into the possibility of Michigan State University acquiring and operating the Lodge, taking the care necessary to maintain the integrity of the property. The rest, as they say, is history.
Fast forward to the present for a look at the changes and new directions taking place at Brook Lodge. Joel Heberlein, general manager of the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center for the past eight years, is the operations manager overseeing Brook Lodge. The Lodge is a part of MSU’s Housing and Food Service Division, with the Kellogg Center staff facilitating the interface between Brook Lodge and the university. The Lodge staff includes an Executive Chef and line cooks who provide full banquet and catering services. There is an on-site wedding coordinator, Katie Masarik, and a senior sales manager, Stephanie Lockwood. Lockwood and Masarik work closely with the professional sales team at Kellogg Center in cross-selling both properties.
Selecting university venues for business and pleasure is a great way for Spartan alumni to show their support of MSU. Consider Brook Lodge Hotel & Conference Resort for your next meeting, retreat, or special event, whether it be corporate or private. There are several weekend packages available, with prices starting at $99 per night. It definitely has a WOW factor that will please and impress your guests.
Jan Reed graduated from MSU in 1984 with a BA in Communication. She is a free lance writer and editor of publications for the Kellogg Center.
HOW YOU CAN USE BROOK LODGE
You can use Brook Lodge for yourself, your family or your company. For information, call (616) 731-2200 or visit www.hfs.msu.edu/brooklodge. Make sure to show your MSU Alumni Association membership card to receive a 10 percent discount on all services.