The Legacy

 Henry and Mildred Uihlein

Henry and Mildred (Mid) Uihlein left an indelible mark on Lake Placid and the Adirondacks. Born on February 3, 1896, in New York City, Henry was part of the prominent Uihlein family, owners of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. Though his roots were urban, he blended a strong work ethic with an enduring love for nature and agriculture. In 1927 his marriage to Mildred Anthony marked the beginning of a shared passion to include farming, conservation, and community service.

As a child, Henry spent summers vacationing in Long Lake, New York, where he developed a deep connection to the Adirondack wilderness. He also worked on his grandfather's farm in Wisconsin, learning the principles of agriculture early in life. These experiences instilled in him a reverence for the land that shaped his life. While a student at Cornell University, Henry was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Seeking recovery in the clean air and higher altitude of Lake Placid, he began his lifelong affinity for the area where he and Mid would eventually make their permanent home. They purchased Heaven Hill Farm in Lake Placid in 1941.

Winter Sports

Henry's passion for winter sports is evidenced by his sponsorship of winter sporting events and individual athletes in the late 1920s - early 1930s. This secured Lake Placid’s reputation as a premier destination for winter sports in North America and culminated in the selection of Lake Placid as the site of the 1932 Olympic Winter Games. Henry was inducted into the Lake Placid Hall of Fame in 1983. 

Building an Agricultural Legacy

The Uihleins were natural stewards of the land, and combined their agricultural expertise to expand operations at Heaven Hill Farm. During World War II, Henry and Mid supported the war effort by growing potatoes. In 1961, they donated 317 acres of land to Cornell University School of Agriculture, establishing The Uihlein Farm of Cornell University. Henry further funded construction of a laboratory and greenhouse at Uihlein Farm in 1977, enhancing seed potato development and research. Under Cornell’s stewardship, the farm evolved into a global model for disease-free potato seed production, solidifying the Uihlein name in agricultural history.

The couple's accomplishments extended to livestock. At Heaven Hill Farm, Henry and Mid developed a prize-winning Jersey cattle herd, earning national and international recognition for their exceptional breeding stock. The Jerseys consistently won top honors at American Jersey Club Shows, a testament to the Uihleins' meticulous care and breeding practices.

Mid Uihlein played an active role in farm management. In addition to helping to care for the livestock and canning the maple syrup produced at the farm, Mid was passionate about horticulture and gardening and proudly cultivated a prize-winning rose garden at Heaven Hill Farm. She was an active member of the Garden Club of Lake Placid and the Essex County Garden Club. Mid’s foresight was critical to the preservation and subsequent creation of Mid’s Park on Main Street in Lake Placid. To learn more about Mid’s Park click here.

Maple Syrup Operation

Maple syrup production was a large part of life at Heaven Hill Farm. Henry and Mid had a thriving sugaring operation with as many as 3,000 taps some years; they collected syrup with horse-drawn wagons and used a traditional wood-fired evaporator methods that are still in use today. To learn more about today’s maple syrup operations click here.

Community and Environmental Stewardship

As active members of the community, the Uihleins championed causes that enriched the lives of residents and strengthened local institutions. Their philanthropy helped build a hospital and senior living facility, known today as Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid. Henry also played a major role in supporting the Mayo Clinic and the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, where he served as an honorary trustee. 

A Life of Influence and Generosity

Mildred Uihlein died at the age of 82 on July 9, 1990. Henry Uihlein II passed away on June 8, 1997, at the age of 101. Innovation, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to the land and people they loved defined their lives.

The Uihleins’ enduring contributions are evident today through the work of the Henry II & Mildred A. Uihlein Foundation in the surrounding communities and in the beauty of the preserved forests and farmlands. The Uihleins left a legacy that continues to inspire, reminding us of the profound impact a person can have on their community, their land, and the generations that follow.