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Sacred Spaces - Chautauqua Institute and The Roycroft Campus

I went to Chautauqua Institute in early August to hear the documentary film maker, Ken Burns, as he launched the “Sacred Spaces” week. Ken Burns was speaking in the Amphitheater and it was predictably packed. Every wooden pew and bench was occupied but one could only hear Ken Burns’ soft voice and the cicadas in the trees that morning. He had everyone's full attention. 

Even though I enjoyed the speech, personally, I don’t think anyone needed to be brought in to lecture about sacred spaces. Every one of the venues at Chautauqua IS a sacred space. The age, history and religious tradition of the Institute imbue its structures with an authority and importance that cannot be denied. And if the structure is new, what goes on inside makes it sacred. I attended an afternoon brass choir concert at Fletcher Hall, and even though the building is modern, the music blessed the space and those that came to hear it. 

At the Roycroft Campus I find myself experiencing a similar feeling - akin to religious devotion - toward the  buildings. I am most fond of the Chapel - declared by architects as the nation’s most beautiful asymmetrical building - and the Tudor style Print Shop. Even as I go on tour after tour as a docent instructor, I am still “Gaga” over them along with the English cottage Copper Shop and the Dutch Colonial shingled Furniture Shop. 

If you are a Chautauqua devotee, you will find much to enjoy at the Roycroft Campus and in East Aurora. Come see the ongoing restoration of our sacred spaces.  

- Sue

Question 36. RCC Docent Test

36. Name three distinctive items you could point out standing in the front room of the Copper Shop. 

Some of the Answers: the impressive hammered copper fireplace hood - one of the largest pieces made at the Roycroft; “4th floor Roycroft Department” sign used in retail stores; Dard Hunter designed oak and stained glass table lamp; period printing presses; a wooden binding clamp for stitching book bindings; Dard Hunter window design renderings for the Inn; a “heart” window by Dard Hunter; an original Roycroft bookcase with inventory mark.

Stop in to see these items and the Campus in person at the Roycroft Copper Shop, 31 South Grove Street, East Aurora, NY.

- Sue

The Copper Shop Sign

Have you ever noticed the sign for the Copper Shop which hangs from the tree outside? It is a beautiful example of copper repousse work executed by RALA master artisan Frank Glappa. The sign began as a flat sheet of copper which Frank then hammered on the front and then the back; forcing the letters and Royrcoft mark into their raised relief form. The evenness and accuracy of his hammer work is amazing to the layman yet typical of the level of craftsmanship of RALA artisans.

You can experience the craft firsthand by taking a class at the Roycroft. Classes are offered in this technique and others. The dates and course descriptions are posted on the RCC website. If you prefer to admire the work rather than do it yourself, there are many artisan wares for sale in the Copper Shop. You will be supporting their work and adding a unique art object to your home which will no doubt become a family heirloom.

Come to the Copper to see what is in stock for the holiday season, 31 South Grove Street, East Aurora, NY. 

• Sue

Roycroft Wall

Driving around East Aurora is quite an adventure lately! There is construction just about every way you turn, but the construction I'm excited about is the Roycroft wall resurrection. Here are some pictures of the wall in various states of dismantling and repair. Stay tuned for the final look!

Before:

During:

Almost Done:

 
Stop by the Roycroft Campus to see the most recent stages of the Roycroft wall restoration. It will be completed very soon, see history in the making at 31 Grove St in East Aurora, NY! 

 -Amanda

Roycroft Campus Tours

This is the perfect season to come for a Roycroft Campus Tour.

Don't get me wrong - any time is a great time for a tour but when the Campus is covered in a couple feet of snow, it is a tad more difficult. ("really take my word for it, there is a memorial boulder for Elbert and Alice under than snow pile").

The Roycroft Campus tours guides will soon be getting "tour guide microphones". It will help so much in not having to shout over the occasional traffic noise. The tours guides are looking forward to being very professional in our volunteer position.

You will be confident that all those in your group can clearly hear our great stories from the heyday of the Roycrofters.

Call Clare Root at (716) 655-0261 to make arrangements. We look forward to hearing from you and we hope you look forward to now hearing us.

Julie

 

Hidden Horse shoe on Roycroft Wall

As you know, around the perimeter (plus some) of the Roycroft Campus is a beautiful stone wall.

Did you know there is a horse shoe embedded on one section? I wonder who put it there and why.

 

Those of you who think you know the Roycroft Campus really well...do you know where this is? Come tell us in the Copper Shop. Anyone have more information about this hidden object? Do you know of other objects embedded in the wall? 

Julie

Another Roycroft carved door

A recent blog post talked about the carved door at the Roycroft Inn.

Here is a photo of another Roycroft Campus carved motto door that maybe you haven't seen. It is on the large print shop building ( which currently houses the NYS Cornell Cooperative Extension). The area around the door is surrounded by bushes making it difficult to see clearly. 

It is one of my favorite sights-unseen on the Campus:

 

Come for a Roycroft Campus tour to learn about other hidden gems on the Roycroft Campus. Contact Clare to arrange a tour at (716) 655-0261.

Julie

Roycroft Road Sign

To paraphrase a saying "There are those who do not pay attention to road side historical markers, those that do read them,  and those that make it a point to read them to others"

What kind of historical road sign person are you? Have you seen the sign on the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, NY?   Currently there is road construction in the area making it difficult to see and read. So...here it is:

 

Come visit Campus and see if you can locate where our historical road side marker is located on this National Historic landmark site.  We encourage you to consider a guided tour and will read the marker for you if you want!   ; )

Beginning in June thru October, regular tours are available to the public on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.  To learn more or to make a reservation, call 716 655-0261 or visit the website at www.roycroftcampuscorp.com

Julie

Riddle: When is a chapel not a church?

 

 

This wonderful asymetrical building on the Roycroft Campus that sits on the corner of Main Street and South Grove is called the Chapel but not because of religious reasons.

So when is a chapel not a church? - When the word is used in reference to printing.

Here is one dictionary's definition of chapel:

Print: a. Formerly, a printing office; -- said to have been so called because printing was first carried on in England in a chapel near Westminster Abbey. b. An association or meeting of the workmen in a printing office, for dealing with matters or questions, affecting their interests.

(So not to confuse you even more but after the Roycroft went bankrupt and the buildings were sold, this building became the Baptist Church of East Aurora. So then the Chapel did become a church!)

Today the building is the Aurora Town Hall.

Curious to learn more bout the Chapel and other buildings on this national historic landmark site?  We would love you to visit East Aurora, New York. Come and rediscover our wonderful Roycroft Campus, get a bite to eat, or pick up a gift.  We may even challenge you with another riddle.

Julie

Is the Roycroft Campus haunted?

Happy Halloween! Yes, it is the time of year for ghosts and goblins.

Not sure if you believe in ghosts or not but some people swear they have heard or seen spirits on the Roycroft Campus.

Spending a lot of time on the campus myself, I have not felt or heard anything. What about you? Have you personally experienced anything while visiting? Use the comment button and tell us about it.

Julie