BLOOMFIELD HILLS – Cranbrook Educational Community continues the celebration of the centennial of its founding throughout 2004. In 1904, Cranbrook founders George Booth and Ellen Scripps Booth purchased a run-down farm in Bloomfield Hills that evolved into one of the world's leading centers for art and education: Cranbrook.
Comprised of Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum, Cranbrook House & Gardens, Cranbrook Institute of Science and Cranbrook Schools, Cranbrook is the result of the Booths' desire to use their wealth for greater good.
During its Centennial summer, Cranbrook features changing exhibits and events including:
Architects Tea and Coffee Towers (through Aug. 15), Graduate Summer Exhibition of Cranbrook Academy of Art (through Aug. 15), and Upper Left at Cranbrook Art Museum and Invention at Play (Through Sept. 6) at Cranbrook Institute of Science.
Beyond its classrooms, studios and museums, Cranbrook has touched myriad aspects of American life during the last century. From the St. Louis Arch and Dulles International Airport designed by former Cranbrook Academy of Art faculty member Eero Saarinen to Massachusetts' Capitol where Schools alumnus Mitt Romney presides as governor, Cranbrook and its people are everywhere.
Founder of Booth Newspapers and publisher of the Detroit Evening News (precursor to The Detroit News), George Booth joined forces with renowned Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen to create a campus that would inspire creativity and excellence. A National Historic Landmark, today Cranbrook welcomes tens of thousands of museum visitors each year, and its 319-acre campus is home to more than 1,600 day and boarding students in grades pre-K through 12, as well as 150 fine art graduate students.
Other events and promotions:
Selections from Cranbrook Art Museum's Centennial exhibit are on view through March 2005. Treasures of Cranbrook Art Museum features art, architecture and design created by Cranbrook alumni, faculty and artisans and charts the evolution of Cranbrook aesthetics during the past century.
The Cranbrook Institute of Science historic time line is on view through Sept. 6 in the Changing Exhibit Hall (lower lobby). From Cranbrook's founding in 1904 and the establishment of the Institute of Science in 1930, to the museum's major expansion in 1999, the time line explores the history of Cranbrook Institute of Science, featuring significant events and dates. Through historic photos and captions, visitors can learn about events that impacted and influenced the renowned natural history and science museum, Cranbrook Institute of Science. Labels featuring the Cranbrook centennial logo can be found throughout the museum to identify objects chosen for their scientific value and the museum's history. A map at the Institute's front desk indicates objects' locations.
Throughout 2004, visitors can purchase a Cranbrook Centennial Pass that grants the pass holder and a guest unlimited general admission to Cranbrook Art Museum, Cranbrook House & Gardens, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Wallace Ice Arena and Williams Natatorium during public hours in 2004. Passes are $100 and can be purchased at Cranbrook Institute of Science and Cranbrook House & Gardens.
Cranbrook is located at 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills. For up-to-date visitor and Centennial information, visit www.cranbrook.edu or call 1-877-462-7262.
