Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society

05/27/2026

“There were docks — the one on the main shore and at the foot of ‘the Bluff,’ and the one on [Apple Island] at the stone dock. This arrangement made it possible for the horse and wagon to drive onto and off the scow. And, in passing, I might mention too, as this was the shortest distance between the mainland and Island, it was where one came and yelled to be brought across the lake.”

Excerpt from Auld Lang Syne: Memories of Orchard Island before 1907 by Dr. Campbell Harvey (grandson of Apple Island owners Colin and Caroline Campbell)

This bell was used by residents on Apple Island to call the for the island's caretaker! It was donated to GWBHS by Richard Venice in 1988. 🍎🛎

05/23/2026

This is a fruit press, used to squeeze apple, pears, berries and other fruits to separate the juice from their bitter seeds and skins. If you look closely in this photo, you can see silver bucket underneath the press. This is where juice collects after the fruit is pressed. 🍏🍓

You can come try out the press yourself at the Orchard Lake Museum during our Open Houses!

05/22/2026

Looking forward to visiting Apple Island? Still wondering if you should go? Check out this interview with Civic Center TV where we preview what you can expect on the tours and dive into what makes Apple Island a special place! 🍎

05/22/2026

Did you know? May 18 commemorates an important day in the history of Apple Island! Take a look below: 👀

Today marks 55 years since Brigadier General Frederick S. Strong Jr. donated Apple Island to the West Bloomfield School District on behalf of his late wife Marjorie Ward Strong. On the night of Monday, May 18, 1970, an 83-year-old Strong presented the island to the school board. "Marjorie said at breakfast [a few days before her passing' that she wanted the island kept just as it always was, a woodland."

An official dedication ceremony of the Marjorie Ward Strong Woodland Sanctuary would later be held on October 11, 1970. Those in attendance included Michigan Governor William Milliken and Strong himself.

05/21/2026

There are still open spots to visit West Bloomfield Schools' Apple Island with GWBHS - visit gwbhs.org/apple-island-tours for information and tickets! ☺️

05/20/2026

Planning on attending the Keego Harbor Memorial Day Parade this upcoming Monday? Consider heading to the Keego Harbor Memorial Plaza at 9:30am for a Pre-Parade Memorial Day Ceremony! Fallen soldiers from Keego Harbor (and Orchard Lake) will be honored.

05/19/2026

Check out our May 2021 Virtual Open House all about the Detroit United Railway! Local historian Brian Golden travels the interurban, a light-rail system which ran from downtown Detroit, through Farmington, to Pontiac. The railway shortened travel time to the “up north” getaway that was West Bloomfield. 🚋

Sunday, May 9Virtually, local historian Brian Golden travels the interurban, a light-rail system which ran from downtown Detroit, through Farmington, to Pont...

05/19/2026

This water cart and livestock ferry wooden model was made by Win Hamlin, son of longtime Apple Island caretaker John Hamlin, c. 1970. 🍎

A water barrel filling site was located on the north shore of Apple Island. The barrel was filled with lake water then distributed to island homes for non-cooking purposes. There were several wells on the island for drinking and cooking water. The one horse water cart would be backed into the lake. With a pail, the barrel would be filled with lake water. 🌊

05/15/2026

Did you know? In 1976, Revolutionary War veteran and later West Bloomfield resident Levi Greene was honored on Memorial Day by members of his family and the Quakertown Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution in a ceremony at North Farmington Cemetery. A plaque was placed by the DAR at his grave in observance of the U.S. Bicentennial.

In 1776, Levi enlisted in the Revolutionary Army, volunteering for nine months as a Ranger in Albany County, New York. In the late 1830s (likely 1838), Levi and his wife Asenath came to West Bloomfield to live with their son Zephaniah in a farmhouse in the northwest corner of what is now Halsted and 14
Mile Roads. They stayed in West Bloomfield until their deaths – Asenath in 1847, and Levi in 1851. Both are buried in North Farmington Cemetery. Some accounts list Levi’s age as 92 at his death, some at 94.