RICHFIELD HERITAGE PRESERVE
  • Visit
    • Driving Directions
    • Park Rules and Regulations
    • Park Map
    • Activities
    • FAQs
  • About Us
    • Richfield Joint Recreation District >
      • About RJRD
      • Meet the Board
      • Contact Us
    • History
    • Strategic Planning
    • Project Updates
    • 2021 Accomplishments Summary
    • Park Affiliates
  • Programs & Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Upcoming Events
  • Reservations & Permits
    • Reserve The Lodge
    • Reserve an Open-Air Shelter
    • Special Use permit
    • Printed Material Request
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Celebrating Volunteers
    • Scout Projects
    • Youth Art Contest
    • Photo Contests
    • Donate
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Newsletter
    • Join Our Email List
    • 2021 >
      • January Newsletter
      • February Newsletter
      • March Newsletter
      • April Newsletter
      • May Newsletter
      • June Newsletter
      • July Newsletter
      • August Newsletter
      • September Newsletter
      • October Newsletter
      • November Newsletter
      • December Newsletter
    • 2022 >
      • January/February 2022 Newsletter
      • March/April 2022 Newsletter
      • May/June 2022 Newsletter
      • July/August 2022 Newsletter
      • September/October 2022 Newsletter
      • November/December 2022 Newsletter
    • 2023 >
      • January
      • February
      • March

History

​Richfield Heritage Preserve (RHP) is a 336-acre hidden treasure located in Richfield, Ohio. We invite you to explore its lakes, streams and wooded trails any day of the year from dawn to dusk. Come and enjoy the scenic grounds and entrench yourself in its rich history.
Take yourself back to the early 1900s and experience many of the original family homes built by Richfield pioneers. On the north-side of the preserve, visit the storybook homes built by the Neal family alongside their 200-acre apple and peach orchard. These picturesque dwellings are known as North House, Coach House and Amity House.
RHP Kirby's MillKirby's Mill



​​On the south-side of the preserve, James Kirby, who amassed over 160 patents and is best known for his washing machines and vacuum cleaners, purchased land from the Oviatt family in 1919.

​​Today, you can visit the Kirby family home along with its water-powered millwheel that produced hydroelectric power for his home and workshop. The mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1978.

RHP Kirby's patented lower lakePatented lower lake

​
​


​You’ll also discover the country’s only patented lake designed ​to eliminate sediment deposits in order to prolong the life of the lake. 
​
​

RHP Garfield Hall 1937Back of Garfield Hall, 1937, prior to addition of kitchen and storage area. Source: Cleveland Press Archives

​


​And, imagine the parties that Kirby held in Garfield House, Kirby’s original chestnut-sided dance hall, built on heavy-duty streetcar springs which moved the floor to the bounce of his dancing party guests. 

RHP Girl Scout Outing 19401940. Source: Cleveland Press Archives. Cleveland State University Special Collections Library





​Kirby sold his estate to the Cleveland Girl Scout Council in 1937 with the remaining acreage purchased from the Neil’s in 1957.  Known as Crowell Hilaka, the camp was officially closed in December 2011.  



​On November 4, 2014 the voters of Richfield Village and Richfield Township approved a bond issue to purchase the Crowell Hilaka property along with a levy for operations. The Richfield Joint Recreation District (RJRD) administers and operates the property. In 2016, the property was renamed Richfield Heritage Preserve.

In 2019, the Richfield Heritage Preserve's friends group, Friends of Crowell Hilaka (FoCH), began its fund raising campaign for the major restoration of Kirby's Mill and its water-powered mill wheel.

Please help us restore the mill. Your donation brings us one step closer to the goal of raising $500,000. No matter how small, it all adds up to help us reach our goal and get the mill wheel turning once more. DONATE >>>
Park Map & Hours
Upcoming Events
Reserve a Facility
Calendar of Events
​Volunteer
Join our Newsletter
Employment 
Contact Us
Richfield Heritage Preserve
​
4374 Broadview Road
​Richfield, OH 44286

​office@rjrd.org
​
330-888-0511
Managed by
​Richfield Joint Recreation District
Website suggestions?
​Contact 
webmaster@rjrd.org

​
Copyright © 2021
  • Visit
    • Driving Directions
    • Park Rules and Regulations
    • Park Map
    • Activities
    • FAQs
  • About Us
    • Richfield Joint Recreation District >
      • About RJRD
      • Meet the Board
      • Contact Us
    • History
    • Strategic Planning
    • Project Updates
    • 2021 Accomplishments Summary
    • Park Affiliates
  • Programs & Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Upcoming Events
  • Reservations & Permits
    • Reserve The Lodge
    • Reserve an Open-Air Shelter
    • Special Use permit
    • Printed Material Request
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Celebrating Volunteers
    • Scout Projects
    • Youth Art Contest
    • Photo Contests
    • Donate
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Newsletter
    • Join Our Email List
    • 2021 >
      • January Newsletter
      • February Newsletter
      • March Newsletter
      • April Newsletter
      • May Newsletter
      • June Newsletter
      • July Newsletter
      • August Newsletter
      • September Newsletter
      • October Newsletter
      • November Newsletter
      • December Newsletter
    • 2022 >
      • January/February 2022 Newsletter
      • March/April 2022 Newsletter
      • May/June 2022 Newsletter
      • July/August 2022 Newsletter
      • September/October 2022 Newsletter
      • November/December 2022 Newsletter
    • 2023 >
      • January
      • February
      • March