Recently Paula Whitlow, Curator of Chiefswood National Historic Site, Ohsweken, Ontario, came to see The Roycroft Campus and told us a story.
E. Pauline Johnson was born at Chiefswood mansion to a Mohawk chief father and an English mother. Pauline was a gifted poetess and author, touring throughout Canada giving dramatic recitals of her works. She is Canada's first nationally acclaimed female poet. Coming to America in 1907, Pauline and her manager Walter McRaye, gave a recital at the Roycroft Inn. About 500 people lived and worked within the campus at that time. 'Roycroft residents loudly applauded Pauline and her message of peaceful co-existence between races.' While she was at the campus, Pauline enjoyed spending time in the chapel, thinking about the serenity Elbert Hubbard had created in the community and also frequenting the library with the beautifully bound books. A week after she reluctantly left Roycroft, Pauline told a reporter from the Winnipeg Tribune that the Roycroft residents lived "ideal lives in many ways. Mr. Hubbard is not a slave-driver and they enjoy the greatest of freedom during working hours."
Thank you so much, Paula. for stopping at The Copper Shop and talking to us about Pauline's visit. Paula, too, loved Roycroft and the town of East Aurora. Check out the Chiefswood web site and read more about E. Pauline Johnson.
Claudia
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