RoycroftCampusCorporation

Road Directions in 1903

Are you headed out on a road trip this summer? Imagine this: only 150 miles of road were paved in the entire nation in 1903. Guidebooks were rare and the roads were poorly marked because it was usually locals that used them. Printed directions were very difficult to follow as a result. See below a list of directions for Route 535 from Keene, NH to Rutland, VT, a distance of 73.3 miles. 

Elbert Hubbard was on the road a great deal selling soap for Larkin and then later when he was on the lecture circuit pitching the Roycroft. I haven’t come across any stories about the Fra getting lost on the road, but I’ll bet he would have liked MapQuest, Google Maps and the GPS systems we are so reliant upon today. 

To get to the Roycroft Campus just click here to get driving directions to 31 South Grove Street, East Aurora, NY. 

- Sue

Source of directions for Route 535 and 1903 road info: Horatio’s Drive, America’s First Road Trip, by Dayton Duncan

Roycroft Docent's Travels Include Taliesin West

Linda, friend and avid RCC and Roycroft Inn Docent, by happenstance found herself near Frank Lloyd Wright’s western residence / studio several weeks ago. Wisely, she couldn’t resist going there and managed to get a tour early the next day before flying back east. This is a photo she shot at the entrance to the property. 

Linda also shared information given to her by staff at Taliesin West: the red symbol is referred to as the Whirling Arrow.  It was taken off of a petroglyph on the property.  Wright took the symbol to represent the clasping of hands in fellowship, which he felt appropriate for his newly formed fellowship.  It is often represented with a red background which mimics Wright’s signature square, the initials FLLW (Frank Lincoln Lloyd Wright) in the red square.

Many Arts & Crafts artists and artisans have been inspired by the natural beauty of the west and native american art. Elbert Hubbard’s own son Ralph made his home out west and was a student of native american culture all his life. You can read more about him and his work to preserve this culture in our latest issue of the Fra, now available at the Copper Shop, 31 South Grove St., East Aurora.

Thanks for sharing Linda, and readers, feel free to share your A&C travels with us by emailing them to croot at roycroftcampuscorp dot com  

- Sue  

Get to the Grove Park!

This week (February 20-22nd) is the Annual Arts and Crafts Conference in Asheville, North Carolina. Even if you can't get to the Conference, you should try to visit the Grove Park Inn at least once in your life. The Inn is an Arts and Crafts masterpiece any time of the year!

I recently returned from a trip in early January. I recommend you tour the Grove Park, even if you don't stay there! The Great Hall is the perfect, easy place to relax amongst Roycroft lighting and furniture. Take a look up at the original Roycroft chandeliers, my favorite part of my stay.

Take in the view, straight ahead on the great stone porch, with views of the mountains and Asheville. To the left is a hallway of memorabilia that any Roycroft aficionado will want to see.  

Beyond this, the Vanderbuilt wing has been recently remodeled. Take a moment in the themed shops. Of course, the spa is always worth the trip!

The Arts and Crafts Conference Is Coming Up Fast!

February is the month to finalize your plans to attend the Annual Arts and Crafts Conference in Asheville, North Carolina! This year's conference is February 20-22nd, 2009. It is the premier Arts and Crafts event in the United States. There are seminars, tours, discussions and exhibits for anything and everything Arts and Crafts related. And don't forget the the Arts and Crafts Antiques Sale,
the Contemporary Craftsfirms Show and the Books and Magazines Show!

Of particular note this year is the seminar "The Roycroft Copper Shop" with Doug McFarland and David Kornacki. Roycroft enthusiasts can look forward to a preview of the film "Elbert Hubbard and The Roycrofters". That sounds like a real treat!

Here's the website for more information on the conference. Check your reservation at the The Grove Park Inn or visit Asheville's website to plan your visit.

-Amanda

Arts & Crafts Reports from On the Road

      Dorothy Markert, our indefatigable, Roycroft-Artisan-At-Large, screen printing Artist, has been on the road and sent us word of Arts &Crafts in Cody, Wyoming of all places.

      Dorothy was at the Buffalo Bill Museum and saw Joseph Sharp’s cabin. According to our roving reporter, he “was a painter who traveled to the west to live among the Indians so that he could paint them. Elbert and Alice (Hubbard) met him (Joseph) on a trip west.”

      Elbert, while visiting the Crow Reservation, traded Roycroft furniture for a group of Sharp’s paintings. An oak Roycroft Morris chair and Tabouret c. 1905 were shown in the museum as part of Sharp’s belongings.

      It sounds quaint today to hear of such bartering, but it isn’t unusual. It remains a common practice for artists that appreciate one another’s work to trade their pieces. Have you swapped with anyone, Dorothy?

      Anyone else who has a Roycroft or Arts & Crafts travelogue note to pass along please email it to croot at roycroftcampuscorp dot com so we can share it with our blog readers. Thanks Dorothy!

-Sue

Roycroft - by the GPS numbers

Want to impress your friend with useless Roycroft trivia at the next party? Are you into GPS (Global postioning)?

Just in case you need it, here is the exact location of the Roycroft Campus:

Coordinate	42° 46′ 4″ N, 78° 37′ 4″ W	Decimal	42.767778°, -78.617778°

Want more cool mapping facts on the exact location of the Roycroft Campus?

Check out this page.

Now you have no excuses of not knowing where to find us. Be sure to stop in the Roycroft Campus Copper Shop and say hello.

Julie

Arts and Crafts Destination for Labor Day

      I met a couple from Texas a while ago that had traveled the country visiting different Arts and Crafts destinations. After discussing the Gamble House in Pasadena, CA, they told me how much they were enjoying their visit to the Roycroft. They raved about their stay at the historic Roycroft Inn and the fun they had shopping around East Aurora, NY.

     Have you wanted to visit the Arts and Crafts sights in America? Why not start at the Roycroft Campus? The Roycroft and East Aurora was listed as one of top 10 destinations in the country by survey done by Arts & Crafts Homes and the Revival magazine! We have fantastic dining, historic lodging and quaint shopping, all within walking distance of Elbert Hubbard's beautiful buildings.

     Take a look through our website and be sure to check out the tourist information for East Aurora, NY! There's so much to do this time of year. Happy Travels!

-Amanda

The Roycroft featured in the New York Times!

     Looking for somewhere to go for your summer vacation? East Aurora, NY is the place to be! Whether it's in your own backyard or across the country, The Roycroft Campus is bustling with activities to keep everyone busy this summer.

     You don't have to take my word for it! The Roycroft Campus was recently featured in the New York Times! Check out this article in the New York Times with the Roycroft Campus as a great vacation destination! Click here for a link to the full article.

With so much to do, it's time to start planning your summer break now!

-Amanda

Extend Your Stay in Buffalo with a Trip to the Roycroft

My family just visited North Carolina for business and lamented that they were so close to Asheville and didn't plan for time for a tour of the Grove Park Inn! I say, why not mix business with pleasure?    

     If you're in the Buffalo area, why not plan ahead for a day in East Aurora, NY? The Roycroft Campus is just 20 minutes away from Downtown! Get directions here to our historic Arts and Crafts Campus. You can even hop off the Interstate 90 Thruway to the Route 400 Expressway on your way to New York City!

     Why not make the most of your visit and come take a tour? Call 716-655-0261 or email croot@roycroftcampuscorp.com to set up  a time or just drop by to browse the Copper Shop Gallery. Take advantage of your trip and have a travel break with the Roycroft!

-Amanda

Finalize Your Plans for the Annual Arts and Crafts Conference in Asheville, North Carolina

     February is a short, dull month for some but to Arts and Crafts enthusiasts...it's showtime!

     The 21st Annual Arts and Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn is coming February 22-24. Take a look at the website to book your spot for the conference. See if any rooms are still available at The Grove Park Inn or visit Asheville's website to see all the options for your visit.

     The official conference website proclaims: "If you had come to The Grove Park Inn in 1913, you could have sat in Roycroft chairs, read under Roycroft chandeliers, relaxed in Old Hickory rockers, and purchased Newcomb, Pisgah, and Roseville pottery, along with Roycroft metalware and books. And, if you come in February, you still can!"

     Keep your eyes out for fellow Roycrofters while you're there!

-Amanda