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1. LAKE BLUFF GIVEN
3. WAR TIME
4. PEACE TIME
5. ARBORETUM
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Marion Edward Gray Gertrude Edith (Rhormoser) Gray Robert Wayne Gray Margaret Lynn (Gray) Vickery Thomas Edward Gray |
The History of Lake Bluff
By Margaret (Gray) Vickery and Bob Gray
Following is a reprint of the article announcing the gift of Lake Bluff to the Michigan Audubon Society as it appeared in the MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE, Friday, January 22, 1988.
PART 1
LAKE BLUFF ESTATE GIVEN TO STATE AUDUBON SOCIETY
The Michigan Audubon Society today announced that it has received a major gift of property located on Lake Michigan, north of Manistee. The property, known as “Lake Bluff,” is the estate of M. E. and Gertrude E. Gray.
“The Society is grateful to Gertrude Gray and her family for the generous gift of their property to the Michigan Audubon Society,” Kay T. Dodge, President of the Michigan Audubon Society, said. “The near arboretum quality of the extensive grounds, the home, the stable, and the acres of woods will be a source of enjoyment and inspiration to Audubon members and other conservationists for generations to come. The spectacular setting along the bluffs of Lake Michigan makes this one of the most significant gifts ever received by the Michigan Audubon.”
Dodge said that the entire property will be named the lake Bluff Audubon Center. The residence will be called the M. E. and Gertrude E. Gray House.
Gertrude Gray, window of the late M. E. (Eddie) Gray, came to Manistee from Ludington in 1932. Son Robert of Jackson, Wyoming and daughter Margaret Vickery of Houston, Texas were both born and raised in Manistee. Mrs. Gray has six grand children and eight great grandchildren.
Terry L. Yonker, Executive Director of Michigan Audubon, said the Society is formulating a master plan for the use of the property which may include quiet retreats, environmental education, wildlife research and rehabilitation, bird observation, and propagation of threatened or endangered plant and animal species. Yonker said planned activities will be low key in keeping with the quiet character of the estate and the purposes of Audubon.
Yonker said the Michigan Audubon Society is dedicated to the principle of protecting Michigan’s heritage of native birds, wildlife and natural resources and promoting interest, support and enjoyment of these resources. The 9,000 member Society has 42 chapters located throughout Michigan, including the Manistee Audubon Society. Michigan Audubon supports two nature centers, nine sanctuaries totaling 3,000 acres, and three associate organizations, the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, the Michigan Loon Preservation Association, and the Wildflower Association of Michigan.
Lake Bluff occupies a third of a mile of bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. The property has been landscaped with over 150 different varieties of shrubs and trees, many of which are not <naturally> found in Michigan. Some of the more exceptional species include Ginkgo Douglas Fir, Weeping Beech, English Holly and the well known California Redwood. The Redwoods were brought to Manistee from California by the Grays in 1949 as seed-lings. Today, one of these young giants towers over 60 feet and is 4 feet in diameter at the base.
The woodlot and stable on the east side of Lake Shore Road round out the new Audubon holdings. The 40-acre woodlot is of sanctuary quality consisting of dense Maple, Beech, Hemlock, Birch and oak re-growth. The stable is a large structure well suited to wildlife research and rehabilitation. The initial conversion of the stables to Audubon use will take place during 1988 as funding permits.
Dodge added that the Society will be seeking individual, foundation and corporate funding for the many activities planned at Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary and M. E. and Gertrude E. Gray House and for the permanent maintenance of the facility.
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Aerial view from above Lake Michigan @1947
NEXT> 2. THE BUILDING OF A DREAM
Lake Bluff History
3. WAR TIME
4. PEACE TIME
5. ARBORETUM