But it was Henry Booth, the youngest of couple's five children, who ensured the gardens would be around forever when he founded a volunteer auxiliary in 1971 to care for the house and gardens. About 100-150 volunteers donate more than 23,000 hours each year by planting, trimming, watering and fertilizing Cranbrook's 30 gardens. Becky and Dave Robertson travel from Cincinnati to visit the gardens he remembers from his time as a student at Cranbrook Boys Prep School in the 1920s. There is a sense of serenity and beauty in a very busy world. Leslie Salomon is an Oakland County free-lance writer.
Groups can book guided tours for a fee.