White Lake Township in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Genevieve Gillette
and the Treasures of Nature
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
1. Genevieve Gillette and the Treasures of Nature Marker
Michigan state parks welcomed the newly-mobile drivers
of automobiles in the early 1900s. Genevieve Gillette made it her life's work to preserve precious natural settings and make them available to the travelling public. In 1920 she began her landscape architecture career working in Chicago with noted landscape designer Jens Jensen, whose naturalistic designs included the Edsel Ford estate at Haven Hill. Over decades, her career supported her enduring volunteer efforts in raising awareness of Michigan's natural wonders and their value to society. She established important conservation groups, gained funding for Michigan state parks, and even advised President Lyndon Johnson on recreation and nature.
You Auto Know
Gillette was honored by the opening in 1976 of the Genevieve Gillett Nature Center in P.J. Hoffmaster State Park near Muskegon.
Her Living Legacy:
Highland State Recreation Area, Michigan Natural Areas Council, Haven Hill Natural Area, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Area, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Ludington State Park, Michigan Wildflower Association, Wilderness State Park, Hartwick Pines State Park, Michigan Parks Association, Thompson's Harbor State Park, Huron-Clinton Metropark Authority, Michigan Horticultural Society, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore,
this page online
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson, the Jens Jensen, and the MotorCities National Heritage Area series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 42° 38.89′ N, 83° 32.629′ W. Marker is in White Lake Township, Michigan, in Oakland County. It can be reached from Haven Road 0.1 miles south of Highland Road (Michigan Highway 59), on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Highland State Recreation Area near the gatehouse of the former Edsel and Eleanor Ford retreat, Haven Hill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5200 Highland Road, White Lake MI 48383, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Haven Hill Gatehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Haven Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Many Friends, Many Flags (approx. 0.8 miles away); Haven Hill Farm (approx. 0.8 miles away); Haven Hill Barn (approx. one mile away); Haven Hill Lodge
Image courtesy of Oakland County
2. Upper left image
In the early 1900s, automobiles gave many city residents the freedom to explore nature in Michigan state parks.
Also see . . . E. Genevieve Gillette. Michigan Women Forward website entry (Submitted on April 15, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Map courtesy of Bentley Historical Archives, Genevieve Gillette Collection, University of Michigan.
3. Lower left image
In the 1940s, Genevieve Gillette fostered the purchase of the former Edsel Ford estate at Haven Hill by the State of Michigan. This purchase began the development of Highland State Recreation Area, and includes the Haven Hill Natural Area.
Photo courtesy of Jay Fitzgerald, Friends of Highland Recreation Area.
4. Upper middle image
The Haven Hill Natural Area has been named a National Natural Landmark as one of the finest examples of its biological communities in the country. Genevieve Gillette noted that it includes all types of Michigan forest tamarack, cedar, beech-maple, oak-hickory, and mixed hardwood.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
5. Center image
Haven Hill, looking over Haven Hill Lake and wetlands, 1930s.
Photo courtesy of Jay Fitzgerald, Friends of Highland Recreation Area.
6. Lower middle image
The Haven Hill Natural Area at Highland State Recreation Area is popular for bird-watching, wildflower viewing, hiking, and nature study.
Photos courtesy of Bentley Historical Archives, Genevieve Gillette Collection, University of Michiga
7. Right images
Genevieve Gillette (1898-1986) credited her childhood on a farm in Lansing for her life-long love of nature. She maintained a landscape architecture practice in Ann Arbor as she volunteered her services to Michigan's natural heritage.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
8. Genevieve Gillette and the Treasures of Nature Marker
Part of the gatehouse is on the right.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
9. Registered Natural Landmark Marker
This stone is at a parking lot about 0.8 miles south of the gatehouse.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 930 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 22, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
