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.
Kirby'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.
Patented 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.
Back 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.
1940. 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 >>>
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 >>>