Two historic Black resort communities established during the era of segregation are centered in Michigan and have offered a place of rest and recreation for Black entrepreneurs, religious and political leaders, and entertainers for decades. 

Idlewild Historic District in Lake County and Woodland Park in Newaygo County continue to serve as retreats for residents and year-round vacationers. 

“Idlewild is an essential part of Michigan history that highlights a prominent Black resort community. As time went on and integration became more prevalent, attendance waned. However, the culture never died out,” Shelly Kasprzycki, president and CEO of Fremont Area Community Foundation, said. 

Idlewild was initially founded in 1912 as a segregation effort during the Jim Crow era but became known as the “Black Eden.” This premier Black resort community was a haven for artists and musicians to perform and boasted more than 300 Black-owned businesses and 25,000 annual vacationers. Woodland Park was founded in 1921 and had close interactions with the Idlewild community.

Both communities have remained committed to preserving their histories while supporting the current and future potential of their communities.

Fremont Area Community Foundation has partnered with organizations and community leaders to support the development of a strategic plan to preserve and showcase the rural communities of Woodland Park and Idlewild and promote economic development.

“Idlewild and its neighboring community of Woodland Park remain a tapestry of historical preservation and Black culture,” Kasprzycki said. 

In 2022, with support from the community foundation and its partner organizations, a small community work group and third-party consultants began a historic community planning initiative.

The group identified key sites, structures and landscape elements for preservation, adaptive reuse and recognition. They also engaged the local community to understand their values and priorities before developing a framework for long-term support.

“The community foundation has been fortunate to partner with community leaders from both Idlewild and Woodland Park to preserve history and not only celebrate Idlewild’s contributions to our counties but also to look forward with revitalization plans,” Kasprzycki said. 

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Kasprzycki shared that The Right Place, a West Michigan economic development organization, has been instrumental in supporting this work and keeping the covenant of community member-led work.

“Celebrating community-led artistry, history and culture is profound; it lends perspective to what must be understood. Rural philanthropy has a hallmark of grassroots people working together to propel communities forward,” Kasprzycki said. 

In 2023, the community foundation partnered with several local organizations to host an author event and discussion with Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, nationally known author, speaker, and educator and daughter of Dr. Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X, at the Mid-Michigan Idlewilders Event Center located in the Idlewild community. 

“The discussion was rich and deep and affirmed the importance of placing equity work at community cultural centers and, secondly, to have community leaders really serve as the directors of their priorities,” Kasprzycki said. 

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Dr. Shabazz then spent the following morning with young people during a Reading Rainbow of Lake County program and touring local communities, led by community leaders.

Kasprzycki shared that the community foundation is continuing its work partnering with Idlewild and Woodland Park as those communities begin to put their plans in motion for attracting stronger tourism, bolstering historical exhibits and promoting healthier, more vibrant communities.

“We know that money won’t solve issues, but supporting equity-centered community-led work can make real differences,” Kasprzycki said.

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