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·Overview -
»Archives and Collections -
·Endowment Fund -
»History -
·In the News -
·Meet the Staff -
·Membership -
»Mothers, Daughters, and Leaders of Oakland County -
»Museum Site -
·Museum Store -
·Programs and Events -
·Rental of Dairy Barn Meeting Room -
»Rochester Grangers Vintage Base Ball -
·Teachers Resources -
·Wall of Donors -
·WWII Honor Roll Monument -
·Your Wedding
Museum Site
·Overview -
·1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse -
·1850 Red House -
·1927 Dairy Barn -
·Museum Grounds
Museum Grounds
The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is surrounded by sixteen acres of rolling park grounds. Stoney Creek, once the power source for five mills in this area, borders the property. Today, swimmers, fishermen and women, sunbathers, painters, photographers, readers, and more enjoy the historical setting of this beautiful site. A large grove of mature black walnut and maple trees surrounds the gazebo, and gardens and hillsides of daylilies, ferns, hostas, peonies, poppies, and lily-of-the-valley fill the landscape with fragrance and stunning colors.
An herb garden and fountain area are tucked into the backyard's "dimple" where the Taylor mill was once located. Another fountain, located in the front  yard, was erected by Joshua Van Hoosen in the 1870s. According to the June 20, 1878 issue of the Rochester Era newspaper, Joshua was raising one thousand salmon fry in this fountain, though he eventually released the fish into Stoney Creek.
Near this fountain, volunteer archaeologists have been excavating the original sites of the 1823 Taylor Log Cabin and the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse. Over 150,000 artifacts shed light on the diets, toys, clothing, and buildings used by the people who once lived here.
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