Wednesday, April 28, 2010

History Research and a Hiking Destination

Fairview Cemetery in Richfield.
 
I knew there was another old cemetery in Richfield besides the one right near Crowell Hilaka.   Tonight Rob & I scoped it out and found several history hints.   
 
Fairview cemetery is on Rt 21 (Brecksville Rd).  From camp, drive or hike out the Broadview Rd entrance.  Turn Right (South ) to West Richfield center.  At Rt. 303 turn left (East) to Rt 21.  Turn Left (North).  The cemetery is a short way up on the left side.  The sign is not hugely obvious because it is set back on the hillside.  The first thing we noticed from the road was the row of white crosses. 
 
The second thing we noticed was that the front wall is the same kind of stonework as the Kirby House fireplace and exterior chimmney.  It has this half-rounded mortar that looks like a thick cord going around all the stones.  Very distinctive and probably the same guy did both.   We drove up the hill and parked at the windmill.  
 
Familiar names from Richfield history jumped out at me, although none were attached to any ghosts.  The oldest graves are at the top of a beautiful hill.  We found the common grave for the children of John and Mary Ann Brown next to a huge tree.  Since the family was still near destitute at the time, the neighbors must have pitched in to buy the headstone.  Walter & Mildred Kirby.  (Walter was our Mr. Kirby's brother and business partner.)   Several Oviatts.     Mason's father and some of his brothers.  The eccentric Lord Farnham.  
 
Being fond of old cemeteries, we prowled around noticing things - the ground full of white violets, purple heal-all, and moss. We heard (but did not see) a large woodpecker nearby.  At the base of the far side of the hill, there is a headstone with a very large martini engraved on the back.    
 
Lynn

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Questions

I have been reading through some of the old camp director reports from resident camp in the 1960's and 1970's.
I never went to resident camp,  so I don't know what some of these things are,  I am going to copy them to this list when I have time,   but in the meanwhile:  WHAT is a floating campfire ?   What is a floating lunch?   It sounds like they had a raft anchored in one of the lakes.   Was lunch there, or on a canoe?   What is a water carnival? 
One of the constant favorites seems to have been a hike from Crowell Hilaka to Whipp's Ledges.   Has anyone done this?    I want to try it sometime this spring.  anyone interested in hiking with me?  
Lynn

How Girls Can Help

As I am working on camp history displays for the open house this weekend, I keep thinking this: As fascinating as the historical research has become, the really important message is How Girls Can Benefit from Camp NOW.

It is so much better if girls at the different sites could say "Our troop camped here and we had a blast!!!!" than "the 93 acres of what has become known as "Camp Hilaka" were purchased as an extension of camp Jula Crowell in 1956 primarily to protect the northern shore of Lake Linnea" ( yawn).

People may be curious about the old houses, but it probably doesn't matter much if anyone knows whether they were bult in 1904 or 1924. A little mystery won't kill anyone. However, pointing out that the grand staircase at Amity is perfect for fashion shows and the staging of fairy tales, that can get the ideas rolling.
This may be a sacreligious thought from a historian, but we're not running a history museum on Sunday, we're trying to save a camp. So don't be afraid to help.

We can use more volunteers for the open house. No expertise required. There are some sites that have adult volunteers with a small display or two, but it would be helpul to have all the sites covered, if we could, and girl enthusiasm to ANY site is a very welcome addition!!!!!!