When people visited Rileybrook Hall on Duck Creek Road in rural Brookville, they always came away with memories of a unique dining experience. Nestled in the trees, between a slow running creek and quiet pond, surrounded by beautiful gardens, the distinctive castlelike home of Thomas Bredwell and Robert Meyer was a joy to visit. Seated in the large dining area, in the midst of the proprietors' favorite works of art, patrons were served a delicious six-course meal — chef’s choice.
As was apparent in the beauty surrounding them, life partners Rob and Tom were creative individuals. Tom performed with both the Indianapolis Ballet Co. and New York Ballet Co. He owned a nightclub in Indianapolis before traveling to San Francisco. It was in San Francisco where the partners first met. Together, they owned a floral shop in San Francisco and then in Cincinnati. After settling in Brookville, they had Rileybrook Hall built and started a restaurant. Rob was the chef, and Tom served the meals, entertaining guests while doing so.
After the passing of both, the Rileybrook Hall estate was left to the Franklin County Community Foundation designated for endowment for the benefit of the arts, reports executive director Shelly Lunsford. The FCCF Board of Directors made the decision to liquidate the estate.
With the proceeds, the Bredwell/Meyer Rileybrook Endowment for the Arts has been established. Grants from the endowment will be directed to the Franklin County Arts Council to support a local arts center.
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