White Lake Township in White Lake charter Township in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Haven Hill Farm
Exploring a New World of Agriculture
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
1. Haven Hill Farm: Exploring a New World of Agriculture Marker
An expression of deep respect for the land,
this complex was called the Farm Group Buildings. Edsel Ford learned from his father Henry Ford who wrote in 1932 that "with one foot in industry and another foot in the land, human society is firmly balanced..." In 1941 Henry Ford displayed a car with plastic body panels made from soybeans, weighing 1,000 pounds less than a steel car.
Jens Jensen's design for Haven Hill
included road plans, Haven Hill Lake, and a waterfowl sanctuary. The Danish landscape designer's work focused on naturalistic features and native plants. In Michigan, he also designed the landscapes at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores and at Henry Ford's Fair Lane estate in Dearborn.
You Auto Know
Edsel Ford established the farm complex for the support of the entire Haven Hill Estate, with the goal to be self sufficient.
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the Jens Jensen, and the MotorCities National Heritage Area series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 42° 38.345′ N, 83° 33.299′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Many Friends, Many Flags (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Haven Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Haven Hill Barn (approx. 0.4 miles away); Haven Hill Carriage House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Haven Hill Lodge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Edsel Ford's Leadership (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Haven Hill Getaway (approx. 0.4 miles away); Haven Hill Gatehouse (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Lake charter Township.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
2. Upper left image
The Farm Group Buildings, shown here in 1975, are now used as the Maintenance Shop for Highland State Recreation Area (no public access). All black-and-white photos courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
3. Lower left image
Gardens on the north side of the Farm Group Buildings.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
4. Lower middle image
The buildings once housed thoroughbred horses and milking cows. The stable man also lived there.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
5. Upper middle image
The attractive cupola, still apparent on the building, provided draft-free ventilation.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
6. Upper right image
Haven Hill Lake, one of the naturalistic landscape features designed by Jens Jensen (right).
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
7. Haven Hill Farm: Exploring a New World of Agriculture Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 25, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
