Message from Christine Peters, Executive Director of Roycroft Campus Corporation (RCC):
"We are quickly approaching the end of still another year and holiday preparations are underway, RCC would like to take this opportunity to inform our supporters of our activities and plans: past, present, and future. The RCC (formerly known as the Roycroft Revitalization Corporation), led the successful effort to restore and reopen the Roycroft Inn. This $9 million investment (not to mention the continuous dollars spent on upkeep) , has resulted in attracting over 150,000 visitors per year, bringing to East Aurora an international audience - who shop, visit our various attractions, eat in our restaurants, and spend nights enjoying the comforts of the Inn as well as other lodging. The Inn, once again, has become a central part of East Aurora’s life and identity.
The RCC has now embarked on the acquisition and restoration of the Roycroft Campus buildings. We will develop educational and interpretive programming – encouraging the development of a center for creativity and innovation in the decorative arts, fine arts and literature. Furthermore, the project would protect the rich heritage of the Village of East Aurora and build upon tourism-related economic activities appropriate to the Villages’ small town setting. Restoration is vital to this 1986 National Historic Landmark – truly one of America’s treasures. The Roycroft Campus is considered to be a major draw and destination to Western New York, along with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Darwin Martin House, Graycliff Estates, and the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens.
In 2005, the RCC purchased the Copper Shop and Power House. RCC is committed to reconstructing the Power House, an eye-sore that the community has endured for almost 10 years, to the way it looked when originally built. The Copper Shop has been stabilized and work on the circa 1920 Finishing Room, is in progress, to return the original look of this space. We encourage you to stop by and listen to the wonderful sounds of saws and hammers as we prepare this space to be open for the holidays.
The RCC is developing strategic and business plans to reach our goal of becoming self-sustaining in ten years. To date, the RCC has been successful in fundraising and grant-writing efforts and has raised over $2.5 million from local and out-of-state private sources, as well as from County, State and Federal Government. The entire Campus restoration project will ultimately be in the 10’s of millions. While we are a not-for-profit organization, it doesn’t mean we cannot be profitable - we are a business and understand that we need to make wise business decisions to provide a sustainable product, and to meet the needs of our customers and our community. We too need parking, public restrooms and public spaces. Traffic, managed well, is what will sustain us and other community businesses.
RCC is investing in the community. Our efforts bring economic development benefits to the community: job creation, tourist trade, international notoriety, support to local businesses, protecting a National Historic Landmark, developing the arts, and promoting the general pride of our unique village and town.
It is also RCC’s commitment to encourage and respect the ideas, comments and opinions of the community. Toward this effort, the RCC held a “Growing the Roycroft Pie” interactive meeting on May 3, 2006 to bring together those who continue to work toward securing and promoting Roycroft history. Over 80 people attended and well over 500 ideas were gathered, most of which will be incorporated into our strategic plan. As Elbert Hubbard gathered Roycrofters and world-renowned visitors around him to realize his great successes, the RCC encourages the same involvement. Our motto, that we’ve borrowed from Elbert Hubbard and adopted is, “Fences are only for those who can not fly”. RCC understands the value of this project to the community and invites all to join us in making this all happen.
As the Executive Director of RCC I understand what Elbert Hubbard meant when he said, “Blessed is the man who has found his work”. There have been many people and groups before me that have “found their work” in securing and promoting the history of Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters and for this, the RCC and I thank them. I am honored to be joining them and to be a part of this work to continue to carry the word and work of this very worthwhile project."
Christine Peters, Executive Director of the Roycroft Campus Corporation. The RCC and the authentic Roycroft Campus are located in East Aurora, New York. The very location where Elbert Hubbard established the Roycrofters and founded the American Arts and Crafts Movement.
"The Roycroft Campus Corporation (RCC) Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers welcomed Senator Dale Volker to the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, NY on Tuesday, August 12th. Senator Volker is no stranger to the Roycroft Campus and is a long-time supporter of the efforts of the RCC. Christine Peters, Executive Director of the RCC said, “RCC supporters were very honored that Senate Majority Dean Skelos and Senator Dale Volker toured the Roycroft Campus, which is one of Western New York’s most significant economic development and cultural tourism projects”. "
The RCC was also pleased to have the Town Supervisors from Aurora, Elma, Brant and Wales, join Senator Volker in the visit and presentation. During his visit, Senator Volker presented a check to the RCC, in the amount of $100,000, to be used toward Phase I projects to include: reconstructing the Power House, restoring the Copper Shop and repairing and enhancing the Campus grounds."
"The Power House, built in 1910 to provide heat and electricity to all the buildings on the Campus, suffered a devastating fire in 1997 and further damage during severe winter storms. The RCC purchased the building in 2005 and plans on reconstructing the building to its original exterior design. The Copper Shop, with its original wing built in 1902 as a blacksmith shop, had additions built to accommodate the growing metalsmith industry. The buildings restoration is planned for 2010. Lastly, the Campus grounds require needed repairs and enhancements to include pedestrian walkways, landscaping."
"The mission of RCC, in addition to restoring the Campus buildings, is to bring the Campus alive with working artisans, classes, demonstrations, tours, and the businesses of Roycroft, such as the printing industry that was the main-stay business of Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters. The Roycroft Campus is a tourist destination and as such will offer meaningful, hands-on experiences."
