Page 7 - NV4TH2023

7

After long negotiations, the foundation agreed to assume
responsibility for the rebuilding and future operation of
Maybury Farm the same year.
The mission was to open the farm for school children and
families throughout southeast Michigan to visit and learn.
Authentic barns were located and donated and Toll
Brothers donated the moving of 125-year old barns to the
property on Aug. 7 of 2005. The move was no small effort as
the structures were 40-feet high and wider than the two-lane
roads. DTE Energy, AT&T, and ITC donated their services to
lift lines for the move. The 4-mile journey took 6 hours.
Since that iconic day, thousands of individual and family
donors and more than 100 corporations stepped up to help
the Northville Community Foundation rebuild Maybury
Farm. In keeping with the history of the region's farming days, visi-
Through the in-kind donations, the foundation raised in tors experience a hands-on working farm filled with live-
excess of $1.4 million. The Ford Motor Company and Visteon stock, produce and harvested fields.
were major donors of manpower and expertise in reboard- Maybury Farm receives no tax dollars to operate. The
ing the barns. farm must raise every dollar to continue to exist. Funding is
The farm was reopened on Sept. 20, 2005 and the working through admission fees, corporate donations, private dona-
farm offers educational programs and activities for all ages. tions and grants.