Vintage Base Ball at Haven Hill Festival on August 29

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Enjoy base ball as it was played in the 1860's at the Goose Meadow Ball Field on Saturday, August 29 at 10:00 am

The sights and sounds of base ball played the way it was during the days of its early origins in the 1860’s will ring throughout the Goose Meadow Ball field at Highland State Recreation Area on Saturday, August 29 during the annual Haven Hill Festival. Players dressed in uniforms of the era will participate in a match starting at 10:00 am.

Adults and children will enjoy seeing the game played as it was a long time ago. “Base ball” (two words) as it was referred in the day, was played with a focus on good sportsmanship, fresh outdoor air, exercise, and skill. Base ball lingo in the day was also different than it is now. The “hurler” would throw an underhand pitch to a “striker” who would attempt to put the “pill” in play and sprint to the “1st sack” possibly resulting in an “ace” for his teammate “legging it” to home plate. Bare-handed fielders would scoop up the ball and attempt to “make dead” the runner all the while the “cranks” yelling “huzzah”!

The game activities start at 10:00 am as the Livingston A's Model A Ford cars arrive. The Haven Hill Barn Stormers and the Gate House Family Nine ball clubs will be on the field to start the game soon after the National Anthem. Come out and enjoy the game with your family. Bring summer amenities for summer weather. Food and beverages will be available.
The Haven Hill Festival is an alcohol-free, family-oriented event in its' 7th year at Highland State Recreation Area organized by the volunteer group “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 located in Highland/White Lake, Michigan, and entered via the main gate at 5200 Highland Road (M-59) between Duck Lake and Bogie 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.

More Info? Visit www.havenhillfestival.org

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area are a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Visit www.fohravolunteers.org for even more information.

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Haven Hill Festival Coming Saturday, August 29, 2015

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The 2015 Haven Hill Festival will be coming to Goose Meadow on Saturday, August 29, 2015. Be on the lookout for more and more info about this great event at Highland State Recreation Area! Click on the logo for more information.

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Thanks to Everyone for the Success of the Antiques and Collectibles Sale!

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What a great day of fundraising it was! Thanks to everyone who came by and participated and purchased items at our first ever "Antiques and Collectibles Sale" at the Edsel Ford Barn. The Sale was held last Saturday, May 9 and was a great success.

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

REMINDER: Antiques and Collectibles Sale Saturday May 9

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The Edsel Ford Barn yard will be the site of the 2015 Antiques and Collectibles Sale this coming Saturday, May 9. Check out this article in the Oakland Press: HERE

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Press Release: Haven Hill - The Edsel & Eleanor Ford Family Farm Estate - The Untold Story

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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


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
For more information please see attached flyer and visit:
http://fohravolunteers.org
http://friendsofhighlandrec.wordpress.com
http://thepeopleofhavenhill.com

Edsel Ford Barn New Roof Installed!

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The Miller Construction Company, on behalf of the Friends of Highland Recreation Area, have just installed a new roof on the historic Barn after a winter of heavy interior post and beam repairs. We cannot thank the crew of Miller enough for there excellent work. Great job!


See a video of the new roof below...


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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

2015 Antiques and Collectibles Sale to be Held at the Barn

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News Flash! The Antiques and Collectibles Sale on Saturday, May 9 has been moved to the Edsel Ford Barn. Anticipation of a large crowd and not enough parking spaces at the Gate House prompted the FOHRA team to relocate the site of the Sale.


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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Recreation Passport - Do You Know What It Gives You?

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Savings on golf and clothing and rentals and services and many, many other discounts!

Passport Perks Program
You can easily save hundreds of dollars a year just by using your Passport Perks!
Passport Perks is a statewide shopping discount program for Recreation Passport holders who check 'YES' to the Recreation Passport when renewing their license plates through the Secretary of State. Every year, you can save hundreds of dollars at local restaurants, your favorite hometown store, on vehicle oil changes, on your tax preparations and more -- all on services you need and businesses you already frequent. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr-perks/ to view the many discounts through Passport Perks. 

Not sure if you have your Recreation Passport? If you checked "yes" to the Recreation Passport when you renewed your registration, the words "RECREATION PASSPORT" will be printed at the top of your paper registration, and that's your proof of purchase (you'll also see two small "P"s on your license plate tab.) To receive your discount at a participating business, simply show your vehicle registration to the store or businesses representative. It's that easy!

- From the Website of the MDNR.

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.