Spirit of Learning

Origins and History

In 1930, soon after he had become a member of the Bahá’í Faith, Mr. L.W. Eggleston purchased a farm near Davison, Michigan with the express intention of using the grounds and facilities for a Bahá’í Summer School. In the same year, he and Miss Helen Whitney were joined in marriage, and together they made plans to start the school the very next summer. The first nine days of August, 1931 marked the first season of Louhelen Bahá’í School. In all, 35 Bahá’ís 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.

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 twenty years the Egglestons poured out their energy, effort, and money in improving and maintaining the accommodations. Finally, in 1949 they deeded to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States the school buildings and the land on which they stood. 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 peaceful atmosphere.

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Program Philosophy

Louhelen’s mission is to empower the systematic efforts of individuals, communities, and institutions to serve humanity as a means of loving God; respect the truths found in all great world religions; value and welcome all races, religions, and nations; strive to eliminate prejudices and overcome racism; value equally the capacities of women and men; celebrate the uniqueness and nobility of each person; work to build unity and justice through deeds, not words alone.

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Vision of the Future

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Fostering the Spiritual Education of Children

While the spiritual education of children has been an integral part of Bahá’í activities from the earliest days of the Bahá’í faith, since 2000 the world-wide Bahá’í community has redoubled its efforts on behalf of children everywhere.

An article from The Bahá’í World, 2001–2002. More

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