Category Archives: 2015

New Cedar Creek Trail to Be Featured at Haven Hill Festival on Saturday, August 29

Come walk, jog, ride a bike, or bring your horse to the new Cedar Creek Trail on August 29th

In addition to the Haven Hill Historic Structures, Model A Ford cars, Vintage Base Ball game, History and Art Displays, and Summer Foods and Fun, the new Cedar Creek Trail at Highland State Recreation Area will be featured at the 2015 Haven Hill Festival. The beautiful Cedar Creek hiking, biking, and equestrian trail is a wonderful addition to the Haven Hill section of Highland State Recreation Area in White Lake, Michigan.

Come out to the Haven Hill Festival on Saturday, August 29 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm and enjoy a day in Your state park. Use the new Cedar Creek Trail to go to and from Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s historic Haven Hill Gate House and the main Festival grounds at Goose Meadow.

For more Festival information go to: www.fohravolunteers.org

The Haven Hill Festival is an alcohol-free, family-oriented event in its 7th year at Highland State Recreation Area. The Festival is organized by the volunteer members of the Friends of Highland Recreation Area. The celebration has grown yearly, and will continue to be enjoyed by local residents as well as the surrounding communities, now and into the future.

The Haven Hill section of Highland State Recreation Area is entered via the main gate at 5200 Highland Road (M-59) between Duck Lake and Bogey Lake roads. The Festival is provided to the public at no charge, and entry into the state park is now via the Recreation Passport on your license plate.

Haven Hill Festival at Highland Recreation Area on Saturday, August 29

Haven Hill – The Edsel & Eleanor Ford Family Farm Estate The Untold Story

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In the 1920’s Henry Ford visited and spoke at the Howell Opera House. Related and virtually unknown is the fascinating story of his only son Edsel and his wife Eleanor who, in 1923, embarked on the creation of a 2,300 acre working farm state on present day M-59 just east of Livingston County. They named their farm estate Haven Hill. For some 20-23 years Edsel, Eleanor, and their four children – Henry II, Benson, Josephine, & William Clay (past owner of Detroit Lions), enjoyed Haven Hill as a refuge and retreat. Edsel tragically died in 1943 at the young age of 49 years and the estate was passed on, by his wife Eleanor, to the Michigan Department of Conservation (today Mich. Dept.

of Natural Resources).

On Wednesday April 29, at 7 pm, the Haven Hill story will fittingly be told at the Howell Opera House with a presentation by the Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA).

Come learn of the estate architecture and unique landscape setting plus hear of the
estates many world famous guests and visitors such as Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Thomas Edison, Admiral Byrd who first flew over the North and South Poles, and the Duke of Windsor from England’s Royal Family just to name a few. The evening will include a very entertaining video presentation of the history of Haven Hill and an update on accomplishments to date and future plans. Also on display, for
one night only, will be select nature photographs of the area plus a fine art portrait series paying tribute to the people of Haven Hill.

Date: April 29, 2015
Location: Howell Opera House 123 W. Grand River, Howell MI
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM Program Starts 7:30 PM
Admission is free – Public Welcome

For more information & contacts:
Dick Russell – Friends of Highland Recreation Area
Phone: Cell: 248-563-7428 Email: FireExplr2@aol.com
Sharon Fisher – Howell Opera House
Phone: 517-294-7562 Email: sharon@howelloperahouse.com