We wish to continue the State Psychiatric Hospital's history of

We will use local educational resources and established education curricula to provide local students with opportunities to learn about farming and the history of farming, sustainable and organic techniques, as well as life sciences, economics, psychology, urban development, and much more. This would not only be day-trip excursions, but also will involve working through the seasons so students can see the product of their labor. They will study with a frequency that allows learning through extended experience. We want to find and nurture those city children who might have farming in their blood, who wish to care for larger animals, or who wish to learn how to conserve with their own backyard production - others may develop an appreciation for the effort of producing food. People ask "What crop can be grown at Rolling Centuries Farm to give the highest yield?" Our answer is…"Farmers! and responsible, sensitive citizens!"

We also will use these resources for other community needs that are consistent with the history of the property: namely, the use of community gardens for food, and farm animals for therapy, as an extension of what was started here in the 1890’s.

The Rolling Centuries Farm (RCF) is modeled after other successful programs, but tailored for the unique history of this region and this property. The RCF proposal calls for the redevelopment of the Barns area for the following purposes:

1) Create a working educational farm for people of all ages, but particularly school aged children, with educational programs emphasizing

• the rich agricultural heritage of our region and the State Hospital;
• historic, modern, organic, and sustainable gardening and farming techniques;
• partnerships with schools and colleges to bring agricultural education to urban students and to act as an extension of the classroom;
• partnerships with community groups to provide enrichment activities.

2) Restore and preserve the historic Barns for community uses, with:

• the Cathedral Barn for events and community functions;
• the older Historic Barn for housing animals and support for farming operations and classrooms;
• Barn 222, rebuilt in historic style as a 4-season event facility;
• an amphitheater between the Cathedral Barn and the adjacent Older Barn for an outside theater and musical events;
• out-buildings for canning, for processing food or for a summer camp program.

3) Create a community recreation center to integrate the Barns with the surrounding Commons parkland, with:

• open spaces as conservation area;
• trails fully accessible to the public;
• marked nature trails;
• trailhead facilities such as a warming hut;
• garden plots for lease.

The Barns of the former State Psychiatric Hospital are landmark features on the southern edge of the Grand Traverse Commons. The original farm was operated from the 1890’s through the 1950’s, with the surviving Historic Barns erected in 1901 and 1932. The farm was originally used by the residents of the old State Psychiatric Hospital to grow their own food - farming and related activities were regarded as important therapy for healing. The fields and meadows abundantly fed the residents and staff, and provided surpluses that were sold to the Traverse City community.

In its prime, the Traverse City State Hospital won so many events at the State Fair that a special class was created for "State Institutions." This was due to rich fertile soil, plentiful water, and abundant trained and capable labor. It was also due to a team that was inspired by eating the product of their own labors, and having their fellow staff and residents working in other food processing operations - from last year’s seed to this year’s table.

The farming operations thrived until they were halted in 1957, due to changes in the State’s policies for using patient labor. The State Hospital was closed in 1986 and the Barns have sat quietly among the rolling meadows while the calendar rolled steadily from the 19^th, through the 20^th, and into the 21^st century.

In the early 1990’s, the Grand Traverse Commons Redevelopment Corporation (GTCRC) was formed to save the former State Hospital for the community’s planned uses. The parcel containing the Barns area was planned for "community activities and recreation" with all buildings except the two historic Barns planned for demolition. The western half was dedicated to become part of the "Woodlands Conservation Area."

In November, 2004, the voters of Garfield Township and Traverse City overwhelmingly supported millage proposals to purchase three parcels of open space. The 56-acre Barns parcel is one of those properties and now belongs to the Traverse City / Garfield Township Recreational Authority.

In the coming year the Recreational Authority will be seeking input from citizens and organizations in the region to help decide how to best use this remarkable community asset. The RCF group will be there with our ideas, and we hope you will stand with us. Please be ready to join your voice with ours and work with the Recreational Authority to find the best, most sustainable, and most productive possible use for this historic farm land and Barns. It’s an opportunity we cannot afford to pass up.

Funds donated to Rolling Centuries farm will be used to support our mission, including costs for the following activities:

• Develop a detailed proposal for use of the Barns, including educational program activities, costs for improvements, and financing.
• Underwrite costs for community events (insurance and promotions)
• Research and document historic farm activities at the State Psychiatric Hospital farm 1880-1957.