Crowell Hilaka
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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

Projects

Kirby's Mill Restoration
Historic Home Stabilization
Native Species Restoration

Contact Us

Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve/ Friends of Crowell Hilaka
100 Wandle Avenue
Bedford, OH 44146
contactus@friendsofrhp.org

​© COPYRIGHT 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • What's Here
    • Directions
    • The Property >
      • Google Map
      • Video
    • History
    • Maps
    • Nature Sightings
    • Memorials
  • About Us
    • What is a Friends'Group?
    • Reports to the Community
    • Board of Directors
    • Bylaws
    • Board Portal
    • FoCH History
    • Incorporation
  • Get Involved
    • Contact
    • Our Supporters 2022
    • Our supporters 2023
    • Kirby's Mill Restoration
    • Education and Outreach
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
  • Events