Last weekend, Cranbrook’s Horizons-Upward Bound program celebrated the completion of its fifty-eighth annual six-week summer residency program. Students and their families spent Theme Day on campus learning about the academic and artistic successes of the summer (including a display organized by the Center about our Architecture Elective, and a performance in the Greek Theatre by students and the Autophysiopsychic Millennium collective).
Rosa Parks addresses Cranbrook’s Horizons-Upward Bound graduation, held at Cleveland Middle School, July 11, 1989. Cranbrook Archives.
But did you know that in 1989, HUB celebrated the end of the summer with a special graduation address by legendary activist Rosa Parks? The “mother of the freedom movement,” Parks spoke to Cranbrook’s HUB students in a ceremony held at Cleveland Middle School in Detroit on July 11, 1989.
A speaker at the HUB graduation stands beneath a banner welcoming Rosa Parks, July 11, 1989. Cranbrook Archives.
While we couldn’t find the subject matter of Park’s HUB address or too many details of the special occasion, I am confident we will learn more about this moment in HUB history (and so many others) as Cranbrook Archives embarks on an exciting, multi-year digitization effort of the Horizons-Upward Bound Records made possible by a grant from the National Archives and Records Administration, through the National Publications and Records Commission’s Access Program.
In fact, the work has already begun! During the summer months, two current HUB students worked in the archives, digitizing more amazing materials like these images of Rosa Parks! Look for more Cranbrook Kitchen Sink posts drawn from the HUB collection in the future!
—Kevin Adkisson, Curator, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research
My three weeks at the Center for Collections and Research have been an exhaustive tour of all the activities and responsibilities of maintaining Cranbrook’s history. From getting ready for the annual House Party, scanning historical documents, and cleaning the Smith House in preparation for summer, being a member of this community requires one to wear many hats to preserve its history.
Scrubbing the Frank Lloyd Wright Smith House in Bloomfield Township. Photo by Leslie Mio.
During my first week with the Center, I entered into the great anticipation of the annual House Party fundraiser. With this year’s theme involving Cranbrook’s influences from England, many of my projects involved making Cranbrook House a better fit for this theme. As favors for the guests, I assembled nearly 300 pastry boxes to fill with scones and other iconic English treats like tea and marmalade.
My collection of pastry boxes from my week at Cranbrook House. Photo by Grace Quinn.
Following the party, I helped scan many folders of documents from the Archives on George G. Booth and his involvement with the Detroit Arts and Crafts Society and with renowned architect Albert Kahn. Although I knew very little about the Arts and Crafts movements, I came to a much stronger understanding of how the Booths focused much of their wealth and influence on buying and displaying handcrafted goods.
These were not just shows of wealth but were a way of honoring the artisans who built this campus and saying, without words, that a quality place like this will withstand much more than inhuman, mass-produced art and furniture. Even though this notion is not new, rising technological advances seem to only make cheapness and speed priorities in design, rather than beauty or emotional value. The art of patience and supporting artists is a refreshing notion compared to the on-demand nature of online shopping and rampant consumerism.
While scanning documents from the George G. Booth Papers was my main Archives project, I also got to work with architectural drawings of Glen Paulsen from the 1950s. Photo by Deborah Rice.
When reflecting on what I had learned during this internship, I realized that before this I had never given much thought to how this campus came to fruition. I knew that some famous architects built it, but as I scanned archival documents and helped maintain Cranbrook’s houses, I can now fully realize the cultural influence Cranbrook has had in Detroit’s history.
Cranbrook’s inspiration stretches across borders and countries; it has a prominent space in contemporary architecture and in the earlier Arts and Crafts Movement. Cranbrook’s exercises in art and design are on display to inspire others to emphasize detail, quality, and creative talent in designing schools and creating diverse communities.
—Grace Quinn, Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School 2023
Editor’s Note: The Senior May Project is a school-sponsored activity that encourages Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School seniors to acquire work experience in a field they are considering as a college major, a potential profession, and/or as a personal interest.
Grace’s efforts in making A House Party at Two Cranbrooks a success, her can-do attitude, and her flexibility in tackling projects large and small were much appreciated by the Center staff. We wish her luck as she heads to the Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Art and Design in the fall!
Ms. Rice warned me that the first week of my Senior May Project would be hectic and slightly crazy, and it definitely was, but in the best possible way! Being a lifer at Cranbrook, I have learned a lot about our amazing campus over the years, but nothing could have prepared me for the intensely interesting and extremely entertaining Senior May opportunity I have encountered at the Center for Collections and Research.
Riya Batra on set in Saarinen House for the Susan Saarinen interview. Photo by Nina Blomfield.
I joined the department in the week prior to A House Party, the Center’s annual fundraiser, this year honoring Loja Saarinen. Within minutes I was fully immersed into the event preparation. From unboxing the beautifully printed mugs to sitting in on engaging interviews, I was able to experience and assist in a variety of tasks that made me feel like I was actually contributing, even though my contribution was likely quite small in the grand scheme of things.
Riya as Susan Saarinen’s camera stand-in. Photo by Nina Blomfield.
One moment I will never forget was driving Susan Saarinen back to her hotel, after her interview for the film, and seeing an actual dress created by her cherished grandmother Loja. Where else in the world would I ever get to experience something like this?
Leslie Mio packs up the dress by Loja Saarinen. Photo by Riya Batra.
Cranbrook Kitchen Sink 