Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society

06/13/2026

Apple Island Tours Update: We found out that the issues with our boat that caused today's tour cancellation are severe enough that it will not be functional tomorrow. We have made the difficult and sad decision to cancel Apple Island Tours tomorrow.

If you have tour tickets for either day, you will be refunded within the week.

At this time, we do not have plans for a reschedule/make-up date. If we do decide to schedule more tour dates this year, we will make that information public.

We apologize for the inconvenience this causes. It's a sad outcome for us, and for many of you as well.

06/13/2026

We are very sad to announce that due to boat malfunctioning, Apple Island Tours have been cancelled on Saturday, June 13. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have purchased Apple Island Tours tickets for Saturday, June 13, you will be refunded. The Orchard Lake Museum will be open until 3:40pm with activities on the grounds.

A decision has not been made yet for Apple Island Tours on Sunday, June 14. Please stay tuned for updates.

06/12/2026

Did you know? Apple Island was once home to a massive champion cottonwood tree on its south end. Unfortunately, the tree has long since fallen to age, wind, and ice storms. This photo was taken of the cottonwood stump on Apple Island in 1987, after the tree had fallen. 🌳

There are other impressive trees to see on Apple Island during our public tours this weekend! Tickets are still available at gwbhs.org/apple-island-tours 🍎

06/12/2026

There are still open seats for this weekend's Apple Island Tours! The weather tomorrow looks beautiful - get your tickets now and come experience this nature sanctuary and National Historic Site 🍎😊

Tickets at gwbhs.org/apple-island-tours

06/10/2026

This plaque was presented to Brigadier General Frederick S. Strong, Jr. on October 2, 1972 as a certificate of appreciation for his donation of Apple Island to West Bloomfield School District! He donated the island following the death of his wife Marjorie Ward Strong, per her wishes that the school district use the island as an educational resource for students. This is why the island is officially known as the Marjorie Ward Strong Woodland Sanctuary. 🌱

06/10/2026

June is all about Apple Island here at GWBHS - share your Apple Island memories with us through our Collecting Memories project at gwbhs.org/research/collecting-memories! 😌

Part of our mission at GWBHS is to collect and preserve the history of our four communities. This history is made by you: your stories; your challenges; and your experiences. These things connect and bind us together as a community.

For June, we would like to collect your stories about Apple Island. Tell us about your experiences and memories of Apple Island. When did you visit? Who did you come with? What is your favorite thing about the island? 🍎

Submit your memories online at:
https://forms.gle/TdjqMj7Dd68gPU9G7

You can also mail your story to the Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Rd, Orchard Lake, MI 48323.

06/06/2026

The GWBHS doctor's carriage was restored in 2023! Used by doctors in the early 1900s to make house calls, this carriage was designed for one person and was pulled by a single horse. 🐴

06/05/2026

This photograph, taken on Apple Island, shows the island's north shore with a barrel in the water. In the era where people summered on the island, this was likely a water filling site — a location where barrels were filled with lake water and then distributed to island homes for non-cooking purposes. A water cart pulled by a horse (a barrel, with a wheel on each side and a hinged top) would be backed into the lake. With a pail, the barrel would be filled with lake water. This supplied water for purposes other than drinking and cooking. There was several wells on the island for the latter purposes. This was also the primary location where cows and horses went to drink. 💧

06/04/2026

We're getting so excited for Apple Island Tours next weekend! Do you have your tickets yet? Visit gwbhs.org/apple-island-tours to get them TODAY! 🍎🤩

06/03/2026

A recreated map of early 1900s Apple Island shows some famous features from the era of vacationers!

This is a hand-drawn map of Apple Island in the early 1900s. It was compiled by former GWBHS President Frances Gadd based on information supplied by Win Hamlin, son of the island's longtime caretaker John Hamlin.

Several versions of this map exist, but the important thing to note is how much of the island was cleared for agriculture. This was common during the time of private ownership, where people from the mainland could actually see happenings on the island. That's hard to imagine today, where Apple Island is completely covered by foliage! 🍎🌳