Breed declined to sell his property several times, recalling that Alden Dow had told him that the only hill in Midland should have a special purpose.

Fisher Contracting brought in 200 cubic yards of topsoil, and Charles began planting his tubers, establishing Dahlia Hill.

[3][4] Breed constructed a new design studio and gallery on his adjoining property in 1997, which included a work room and storage space for dahlias.

Midland lawyer John Riecker donated his time over a two-year period to form the non-profit entity, and his wife Ranny wrote a check to cover the $20,000 shortfall[5] when the property was purchased from Fisher Contracting in August, 2000 for $175,000.

[4] According to Breed, Dahlia Hill is dedicated to Alden B. Dow because his talent, generosity and philosophy helped make the city of Midland unique.

[6] Two weeks after the first frost, usually in late September, the tubers are uprooted, washed, divided, labelled and placed in climate controlled (45°) storage until the spring.

[15] In 2011, Charles Breed put his vacation home on Long Lake near Traverse City, Michigan into a charitable remainder trust.

It was sold the following year and, upon his and his wife's deaths, the trust will go to Dahlia Hill to help secure the future of the organization's free admission policy.

[8] The PBS television show, “Destination Michigan” recommended Dahlia Hill to its viewers, as did the Detroit Free Press.