RoyCroftCampusCorporation

The Roycroft Bell: Come one, Come all

Do you know where this bell is?   It was used to call Roycroft workers together to hear a lecture or special announcements back in the heyday of the Roycrofters. You knew something special was about to happen if you heard it.

Yes, it is still on the Roycroft Campus in plain view. Know where it is? Give up?  Next time you are in the parking lot on the Campus, look up!

  We would love to give you a tour and tell you more interesting things you did not know about the Campus. It is easy to arrange. Just call the Copper Shop Gallery at (716) 655- 0261.

Julie

Roycroft Tour Training

I decided that as a Roycroft Campus Corporation volunteer I wanted to train to do Campus tours. The RCC has made arrangements to train their tour docents through Buffalo Tours which is a non-profit organization providing architectural tours in Buffalo. In the docent class we are schooled in tour skills such as crowd management and being prepared with local info on restrooms and restaurants as well as learning the details about the tour subject matter. We also take the tours and learn by watching our guides as they lecture us.

Having just taken the “Downtown Revealed” walking tour in our 1^st class I am already amazed at the architectural gems we have in Buffalo and encourage those who have never been on one of these tours to do so. For example, Buffalo has the famous Guaranty Building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s mentor Louis Sullivan. I have known of this architectural treasure and was excited to see the ongoing restoration work. This structure was begun in 1895, the same year Elbert Hubbard founded the Roycroft in East Aurora. On the other hand, I am embarrassed to say I had never heard of the small Gothic revival cathedral, Saint Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, directly across the street designed by Richard Upjohn, consecrated in 1851. The color of the cathedral’s exterior Medina sandstone recalls that of Brooklyn brownstones and the interior is charmingly intimate with a uniquely asymmetrical floorplan.

Those interested in tours can join the docent class tours during the training session for the cost of $10.00 per tour. The tours take place on Saturday mornings 10:30 AM - 12:30PM and locations vary depending on the tour. The Roycroft Tour will be Saturday March 1^st, meeting at The Copper Shop on the Roycroft Campus, 31 South Grove Street, East Aurora. Please call Buffalo Tours at 362-0266 for more information.

- Sue

Tidbit from a Roycroft Campus Tour

You do know that Roycroft Campus tours are available, right?  You simply contact the Copper Shop to make the necessary arrangements.

One of the most common questions asked on the Roycroft Campus tour is:

"Did Roycroft workers live on the Campus?"

The answer: The Campus was not designed for workers to live on the grounds. But Elbert Hubbard did provide houses for some of the department heads to entice them to come (or to stay) at the Roycroft. There was also Emerson Hall (built in 1907), located a couple blocks from the Campus, that was a dormitory. It had 20 sleeping rooms, 5 bathrooms, a dance hall and even a bowling alley. Workers could stay there if needed and it was also used as overflow for the Roycroft Inn.

We look forward to you touring the Campus some day.  Learn more interesting tidbits about the Campus and the practices of Roycrofters by making your reservations today.  Simply call the Copper Shop Gallery at 716 655-0261.

Julie

Roycrofter-at-Large Master Artisan Laura Wilder Spends a Saturday Afternoon Demonstrating Her Block Printing Art

           Laura Wilder, Roycrofter-at-Large (RALA) Master Artisan, demonstrated to visitors to the Roycroft Copper shop, the process she uses in creating her beautiful block prints.  Here she shows a family the many steps it takes to create one masterpiece.  First, create the design, transfer to the linoleum, cut and properly register each of the layers of printing, mixing the paints, printing each color separately, until the finished piece is printed, dried and ready for matting and framing. 

          Laura's completed, matted and framed works, are on display, and for sale, at the Roycroft Copper Shop on the Roycroft Campus on Grove Street in East Aurora, New York.

          For more about Laura and her work check her website at laura@laurawilder.com.  Also check our website for other scheduled demonstrations and classes at www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com

Roycroft Campus Appian Way Welcomes Dr. Seuss's Thidwick

          Walking along the Roycroft Campus Appian Way, moving to the Roycroft Copper Shop, many have noticed, and admired, the Young's Weeping Birch, also known as betula pendula youngi.   It was only recently, back in May, when gardener Joan introduced us to the unmistakable image of a moose in the branching of that tree.  It was suggested it might be Dr. Seuss's Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose or other possibilities, but when Carol visited it was confirmed that it has to be Thidwick.  Why else would there now appear in those antlers, a snail.  For those unfamiliar with the Seuss book, Thidwick was so big-hearted he allowed all manner of creatures to hop a ride on his antlers.   

          Though we don't have a name for this snail, I'm certain author Elbert Hubbard or Dr. Seuss, would have given us the perfect name for this passenger on Thidwick's antlers. 

          When you walk the Appian Way, en route to the Copper Shop...now open daily 10 am - 5 pm PLUS Wednesday and Fridays until 7 pm....stop and see the moose and the snail.  Naming rights are up for grabs.

Rocky's Bullwinkle? Dr. Seuss's Thidwick? Shawn & Hillary's Griffin? or Elbert Hubbard's Moose?

          While working Cleanup Day on the Appian Way on Elbert Hubbard's Roycroft Campus, Joan, long time keeper of the gardens, introduced me to this moose who has been there all the time watching each one of us walk that path.  At first I thought of the cartoon character Rocky with his Bullwinkle but then again more like my favorite Dr. Seuss character, Thidwick, the Big Hearted Moose, and then again it could be little Griffin who was nicknamed 'Moose'. 

          But of course this isn't really a moose and as far as I know never was given a real name.  The closest name seems to be Betula pendula 'Youngii" or Young's Weeping birch.  A variety of European white birch with an asymmetrical branch structure.

          I'm certain Elbert Hubbard would have come up with a clever name for this tree that graces his Appian Way, the pathway between the Roycroft Inn and the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora.  Perhaps one of you can suggest an appropriate name.

          Thanks to Joan for seeing this in the first place, and as promised, she invites you all to the upcoming Roycrofters-at-Large Summer Festival to be held on the Roycroft Campus June 23rd and 24th, 2007.

          The Appian Way leads to the Roycroft Copper Shop, open daily 10 am-5 pm.

          

         

Roycroft Campus Signpost Directs the Visitor to the Roycroft Campus

           This historic marker, on the south side of Main Street in East Aurora, identifies the location of the Roycroft Campus.  In the background you can see the Roycroft Chapel, currently the Town of Aurora's headquarters.   A right turn at the traffic light onto South Grove Street will lead you to the Roycroft Inn on your left.  On the right are the other buildings which once housed the workshops of the Roycrofters.

         Two of these buildings are already owned by the Roycroft Campus Corporation  (RCC) who are in the process of planning and working toward restoration.  Demonstrations, classes, and sales of beautifully handmade works of art are available in the Copper Shop.  See the calendar of classes and other events here or at our website www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com 

          Shop Open daily 10 am-5 pm.   

          We'll be looking for you in the coming vacation season. 

Roycroft Campus Marker Acknowledges National Landmark Status

          One of several monuments of interest found on the Roycroft Campus, this one is placed just in front of the Roycroft Campus Copper Shop.  It's easy to miss, being covered with snow sometimes and facing the parking lot rather than the more scenic Appian Way. 

          The plaque reads: 

Roycroft Campus has been designated A National Historic Landmark

This site possesses National Significance in Commemorating the History of The United States of America.  1986 National Park Service United States Department of the Interior

          While you're right there, look around at the rest of the Campus and stop in the Copper Shop, become a supporting member of the Roycroft Campus Corporation to restore the Campus....as if Hubbard had never left.

Roycrofter-at-Large Diane Bond Holds Class at Copper Shop

           Wintry January is the perfect time to learn a new skill under the direction of Artisan Roycrofter-at-Large Diane Bond.  Beginning with a reception and get-together on Friday evening this group spent the next day designing paste papers and creating a small journal using the historic Coptic Binding.  The next day they created a large Coptic bound book, suitable for photographs or a family history.

          Seen here on the left is the group busy at work. 

         Proudly displaying their accomplishments are the five students, Carol Milliron, Bonnie Chandler, Linda Meyer, Partricia Smith, Janice Stanton, and their teacher, Roycrofter-at-Large artisan Diane Bond.

          Check the list of upcoming classes being held this year in the Roycroft Copper Shop.  See the calendar on this site or for more details visit our website www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com

East Aurora Town Historian Don Dayer Prepares for Retirement

          Donald Dayer, board member of the Roycroft Campus Corporation, plans to retire from his long term as Historian of the Town of Aurora.  Though in the year 2007 he will not be opening the office in the Town Hall, originally the Chapel of the Roycrofters, he will not cease to be "the" historian, with his knowledge and passion for local history I'm certain he will still be on call.

           He recently shared some of the many pictures he took during the restoration of the Roycroft Inn which reopened in 1995.  This particular shot was taken from the rooftop of the Inn in 1992 as he followed the work of the roofers.  It shows the Roycroft Power House as it looked at that time, before the 1997 fire and subsequent wind storm that has left the building a shell of its former self.

          To look at the pre-restoration photos of the Inn reminds one that $8,000,000 can make an old jewel shine.  A membership in the Roycroft Campus Corporation and a small or large donation can make the Roycroft Campus shine once again as well.  Become a member by checking the Roycroft Campus Corporation website at www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com

Remember the Copper Shop & Gallery is open daily from 10-5.