What we've accomplished so far.............
current projects
- Restoration of Kirby's Mill
- Stabilization of Amity House
- Stabilization of North House
- Stabilization of Kirby House
- Trash, Latrines & Cleaning crew weekly rounds
- Invasive plant management
- Guided hikes and other programs for the public
- Annual Primitive Potluck for members
- Promotion of Richfield Heritage Preserve / Camp Crowell Hilaka Historic District on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, & Website
- Merchandise development and sales
2022
- Clean up of collapsed porch roof on Garfield Hall; installation of ice shield on remaining structure
2021
- Contracted with B. E. Hassett & Co., Millwrights to restore the water wheel on Kirby’s Mill. The old wheel was disassembled and taken to Kentucky for reconstruction.
- Contracted with Northstar for concrete repairs on the wheel pit, which evolved into full replacement of the pit and wheel support piers---and worked with structural engineer Phil Reed on plans for the expanded scope of work required.
- North House stabilization: rain water swale created, porch steps masonry repaired, damaged interior wall remediated.
- “One is Good, Two is Better” matching funds campaign for the restoration of Kirby’s Mill raised $50,000.00.
- Friends photographer Rob Kazar, in collaboration with Blind 7 Photography, produced the fundraising video, “Two Photographers, One Vision for Kirby’s Mill”
- Wildflower Walk; virtual version, plus in-person with Jennifer Windus
- Birding hike with Fred Dinkelbach
- History hike with Lynn Richardson
- Archaeology hike with Dr. Phil Wanyerka
- Architecture hike with Corey Ringle
- Kirby Day featuring Michael Cohill of the American Toy Marble Museum and a one-day-only magical fairy garden
- Friday Fundays -- combination of online and in-person summer activities
- Self-guided history hike brochures for park visitors
- Trails and Trivia self-guided hikes in December
- Sponsorships for decorating donated blue spruce trees for Winter Wonders
- Three Winter Wonders mini events
- Assisted RJRD with the Kirby Centennial Celebration and Treats on the Trail
- Participated in the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation consultation regarding park trails, maps, and way-finding signage
- Hosted a quarterly meeting of the Northeastern Ohio Inter-Museum Council
- Richfield Library window display
2020 - adapting to the pandemic; conversion of projects to online format, or outdoors with attendance limitations
- Finalization of Mill restoration construction drawings; approval granted by RJRD and The Ohio History Fund
- Contracted with structural engineer Phil Reed of Ohlin & Reed to remedy damage to Amity's SE porch
- Contracted with MId State Restoration to make the repairs to Amity SE porch
- Virtual Wildflower Walk
- " A Watershed Moment" video created in lieu of a guided hike by Heather Liccardi of Rocky River Watershed Council; Produced by Collin Murphy
- Winter Wonders Decorated Trees
- Winter Wonders Trails & Trivia
- Virtual sing-alongs
- Kirby Garden clean up
- Piloted park concession stands
- Mill promotion banners in park
- Produced and mailed large brochure promoting RHP, sent to all Richfield residents
- Record-breaking 3,000 lbs garlic mustard removal
- Presentation at Richfield Library - " Ohio's Hidden Treasure, Richfield Heritage Preserve"
2019
- worked with RJRD on successful request for state budget allocation of $140,000.00 for rehabilitation of Lake Jinelle
- Worked with RJRD on successful grant application for a NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation condult with Andrea Irland
- Worked with writers Rick Sicha & Marcia Moll on refining the extensive application for RHP to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District
- New roof on Kirby's Mill
- Window replacement on Kirby's Mill to historic standards
- Three-day ANCA (American Nature Center Association) consultation in collaboration with RJRD
- ANCA scholarship obtained
- Amity House- measurement and documentation of existing conditions
- Amity House - rainwater swale created, rim joist replaced, new floor joists sistered in and deteriorated sections removed
- Birding hike with Tom Romito
- Archeology hike with Dr Phil Wanyerka
- Legends hike with Lynn Richardson
- Sing Alongs
- Distributed Pocket reminder cards ("cheat sheets") re Kirby estate 100 year anniversary series
- Floral displays outside main park buildings
- Richfield Library presentation, " Eunice Merton, A Wise Woman of Richfield"
- Assisted with "Pollinator-pallooza" with Summit County Beekeepers' Association
2018
- FoCH donated $22,000.00 for the conversion of Stan's house into the park office, and provided volunteer labor for the project
- The Summit, an onboarding orientation workshop for RRJD ( in collaboration with Meg Slifcak, RJRD)
- Trail Tracking - regular trail monitoring program
- Fence Following- a regular monitoring of the perimeter fence
- Amity House basement cleaned & dried out.
- Amity House living room floor braced
- Successfully applied for an Ohio History Fund grant of $15,250.00
- Wayfinding signs made of recycled materials and installed in collaboration with RJRD volunteers
- Refurbished Oviatt Rd Welcome garden
- Moved George Ringle Bridge to High Lea creek
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series -Thru-Hiking the Buckeye Trail ( January)
- Gund Hall Sing Along ( January)
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series - The Archeological Findings ( February)
- Get to Know Your Park - Hike for Your Heart ( February)
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series - "Want Butterflies? Feed Caterpillars" Native plants & ecosystems (March)
- Get to Know Your Park _ Mighty "Oak-rageious" Hike (April)
- Defenders of the Forest program & garlic mustard pull ( April )
- Interpretive sign dedication (April)
- Waterfront Sing Along ( May)
- Perennial plant sale ( May)
- Get to Know Your Park - "Conflict & Compromise" Hike (May)
- Garage sale (June)
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series - Pollinators (June)
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series - Wetland Delineation (July)
- Get to Know Your Park Hike - "Learn S'more about RHP" with s'more's campfire at Kirby firecircle ( August)
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series - Share your Passion ( August)
- Murder Mystery Fundraisier - in collaboration with Richfield Historical Society
- Kirby Day ( sept)
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series - Photography Intensive ( September)
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series - Bridle Trails of RHP ( Oct)
- Get to Know Your Park Hike "Appleicious Hike" ( Oct)
- Get to Know Your Park Hike -Sneak Peek Thank you hike ( Nov)
- Get to Know Your Park lecture series - Fireside Chat ( Nov)
- Annual Christmas cookie sale expands into a festival and showcase for Gund Hall: "Cozy Up to Winter Wonders"
- Offsite BTA presentation
- Offsite Olmstead Falls Garden Club presentation
- offsite - Richfield Community Day table
2017
- Design, production, and installation of four interpretive signboards about the Kirby estate
- FoCH program - "Water is Life" (Oct)
- Initiated "Weekend Warriors" work parties every Saturday morning
- Built boardwalk over wet entrance of Storybook Trail
- Tour Guide Training
- Mowed grassy slopes - dam faces, mill meadow
- Cleaning Kirby Garden
- Earth Day picnic lunch for garlic mustard volunteers.
2016
- Successfully applied for Pipeline Grant on behalf of RJRD to assist with NRHP application process
- Mill Mobile constructed for Richfield Community Day parade
- Fence line clearing
- Initiated the Crowell HIlaka Memories Project
2015
- First annual Kirby Day
- Protected trees from beaver damage
- Park brochures
- Revised park map
- Wrote the successful preliminary application on behalf of RJRD to place the park on the National Register of Historic Places
- Clean out, inventory, and disinfect of Mill basement
2014
- Organized four public open house events at Crowell Hilaka on behalf of Richfield Together campaign
- Organized a clean up/ and prep day prior to the open houses.
- Wrote, produced, and distributed a camp guide book
- Music for the Millwheel, a fundraising event at Farm Flanagan
- Formally released our 2013 pledges, and contacted all contributors and urged that the money be donated to the Richfield Together campaign
- Flier production, mailing, door to door canvassing to support formation of RJRD
- Participated in the Working Group leading to formation of the RJRD