About

120 Years of Enriching Gates Mills Life

Our Trustees:

Jay P. AuWerter

David M. Bercheck, Assistant Treasurer

Scott Broome

Kendra C. Howley

Lori J. Kalberer

John R. Kramer, MD

Clark B. Langmack

Ronald K. Leirvik

Charles S. Marston, Treasurer

James F. Negrelli

Charles M. O’Malley

Gail C. Palmer, Secretary

James R. Pender

Jennifer M. Pinto

Shawn M. Riley, Vice President

Karen E. Schneider

Steven L. Siemborski

James B. Stafford, President

Lindsay Steinbrink

Leah Whidden

Cynthia K. Zins, MD

Trustees Emeriti

William Barnes

Sally S. Burke

Daniel R. Collister

Thomas A. Liederbach

Robert S. Reitman

On October 21, 1905, The Gates Mills Improvement Society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation by Frank Ginn, E. S. Wright, S. Prentiss Baldwin, Edwin H. Cady, F. E. Wettstein, F. T. Sholes and A. G. Frisbie. The first officers of the Society were S. Prentiss Baldwin as President, A. Ward Foote as Vice-President, and Evelyn Wright as Secretary and Treasurer.

The purpose of the corporation was to promote the health, safety and happiness of members of The Society, to improve and protect property in Mayfield Township, and to acquire, hold, use, lease or convey such real estate as necessary to achieve these goals.

In December 1905, The Maple Leaf Land Company deeded to The Society three parcels it owned for parks. One is the present Polo Field west of Epping Road, the second is the mill race from the river to the old right of way for the Cleveland and Eastern Railroad Company, and the third is a strip of land along the west bank of the river from the dam southward to the parcel owned by Corliss Sullivan.

The Society was the governing body of the town until The Village of Gates Mills was incorporated in 1920. The Society’s early committees reflected the community’s interests of the time: Parks, Good Roads, Forestry, School, and Dam Improvement. Over the decades all of the Society’s efforts have centered on the improvement of village life, whether acting alone or in cooperation with other organizations.

The most recognizable efforts of The Society are the Fourth of July Parade and Ceremony on the Polo Field and The Annual Employee Christmas Fund. Additionally, The Society supports the Animal Welfare Committee, Tennis Program, funding for Christmas Eve gathering and bonfire, special meetings of Village interests, and the Annual Event at The Hunt Club. The Gates Mills Improvement Society cherishes a legacy of fostering community spirit, supporting local traditions, and enhancing the cultural vibrancy of the Village for over a century.