Cranbrook

Long weekend give us a wonderful opportunity to see Cranbrook – large private school in Bloomfield Hills, MI. I always impressed with system of education in US. People here used to complain about education - it is not perfect, it is expensive and not always most efficient. I can’t… I just wish more kids can afford it - it is wonderful school! Schools like Cranbrook provide amazing opportunity for kids to study art and science, and focused on future career. Never mind – Cranbrook have Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, House & Gardens, and natural history museum - and it is always open for public!

Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook campus features the work of world-renowned architects such as Eliel Saarinen, Albert Kahn, Steven Holl, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, Rafael Moneo, Peter Rose and sculptors Carl Milles, Marshall Fredericks and others. Critics have called Cranbrook "the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America" and in 1989, it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

But best part for me is the gardens of Cranbrook! Oh, boy! I can spend hour and hours, walking thru the hills and searching for the new spots. There are two kinds of gardens in the campus. First – very formal, designed in strong geometrical patterns. Sculpture, fountains and architectural fragments boost the setting with large lawns, trees, and a lake stretching out beyond the fieldstone walls. But there are also small almost wild spots in between formal and glorious gardens. Tiny spot of lawn between trees, covered with wildflowers ~ Anemone, Banebarry, Bellwort, Bloodroot, Fawn Lily, Foamflower, Hepatica, Marsh Marigold, May Apple, Miterwort, Ragwort, Snakeroot, Solomon's Seal, Squirrel Corn, Trillium, Trout Lily, Wild Geranium, Wild Ginger, Wood Poppy, Wintergreen. They looks like nobody ewer planted it. They hide in the shadow of trees or proudly show in all glory on a top of hills… I can spend days and days to see it…
Only one part was sad – my camera didn’t behave well. The bright sunshine washed out all colors…. Well - there is a positive side of it. I can come back another day and make more photos!