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Bloomfield Blossoms: p. 020-021

Smith, Kay, 1925-

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Cranbrook (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)

Bloomfield Township (Mich.)

Triton Fountain

GB01a012

part of 'Bloomfield Blossoms' by Kay Smith

text, image

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A RENOWNED PUBLISHER AND A DREAM CALLED CRANBROOK No history of this area could be conceived without a discussion early on of Cranbrook, the outstanding contribution of the Booth family to all that the name Bloomfield Hills means around the world. People in many places know our area only through the pictures they've seen of Cranbrook. Its six institutions are a symbol of private collections and ideas put in the public domain in four areas including art, science, education and the practice of religious tenets. George and Ellen Booth purchased the 300 acres which is now Cranbrook in 1904, having come out for a picnic. With deep enthusiasm and care they laid out their plans for its development and even set up a foundation so their dream could become reality even if they didn't live to see it. It's heartening to know that both lived to be 84 and saw the whole development come to fruition with Christ Church, the Art Academy and Art Museum, the Science Institute and the three private schools, Brookside, Cranbrook and Kingswood. More on the glories of Cranbrook later.