Louhelen
In 1930, soon after he had become a member of the Baha'i Faith, Mr. Lewis (Lou) Eggleston purchased a farm near Davison, Michigan, with the express intention of using the grounds and facilities for a Baha'i Summer School. In the same year, he and Miss Helen Whitney were married, and together they made plans to start the school the very next summer.
History
The first nine days of August 1931 marked the first season of Louhelen Baha'i School. In all, 35 Baha'is and friends, from six states, attended as full-time participants, and about 50 others, mainly from Detroit and Flint, came as day students to one or more classes. The sessions were held that year in a wooded area sloping down to a clear stream, either in a lodge on the hillside or in an open-air amphitheater nearby.
In the late 1970s, Louhelen underwent tremendous change, removing older buildings and erecting new ones. In 1983, the National Spiritual Assembly opened the buildings which currently comprise Louhelen. A new auditorium was added in 2001.
With your interest and support, Louhelen constantly strives to enhance its service to all, while remaining true to its heritage of beauty, charm, and a peaceful atmosphere.
To ensure that the school would continue season after season, the Egglestons worked diligently to improve the school’s facilities. A small barn was partitioned into private rooms and became the Pullman Lodge. A dining porch was added to the main house to improve the serving of meals. For nearly 20 years, the Egglestons poured out their energy, effort, and money into improving and maintaining the accommodations. Finally, in 1947, the Egglestons deeded the school buildings and the land on which they stood to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
