The Van Hoosen Farm in Rochester Hills, Michigan, traces its origins to 1823 when Lemuel Taylor and his family settled in Stoney Creek Village, establishing a 160-acre farm. They constructed a log cabin, marking the family’s initial residence in the area.
In 1840, the original log cabin was replaced by the Van Hoosen Farmhouse, a Greek Revival-style structure that still stands today. This farmhouse became the home of the Van Hoosen family, who were prominent figures in the community.
The farm gained national recognition through Dr. Bertha Van Hoosen, a pioneering surgeon and women’s health advocate. She was the first president and a founder of the American Medical Women’s Association in 1915 and the first woman to head a medical division at a coeducational university.
After Dr. Jones’s death in 1972, the farm was donated to Michigan State University and later to the City of Rochester Hills. It was established as a museum in 1981, preserving the history of the Taylor and Van Hoosen families and the broader Rochester community.
