RoycroftCampusCorporation

Roycroft Blog / Lusitania Centenary Series, No. 1

    When what became known as “The Great War” began in Europe, Elbert did not think much of it, referring to it in the November 1914 Fra as “a family feud. . . . all the crowned heads of Europe are related.” And then, as time went on, he began to accuse his biggest supporters, saying, “Big business has been to blame in this thing.” This accusatory tone continued as shown by his reference to the Pennsylvania Railroad as “beginning to look like an old man who shaves once a week with a dull razor, who has forgotten how to use a toothbrush. . .a railroad without a heart, so big it is going down by the head.” 1

    But Elbert Hubbard believed in his self-made image of importance and influence, created in part through the adulation and respect previously bestowed on him by businessmen and politicians. So much so that he decided to go to Europe in the spring of 1915 with the objective of investigating and reporting on the war, even planning to go to Germany. He told reporters that if the Kaiser would be willing to meet with him, that might lead toward peace. In his hubris he imagined himself a diplomat, which is odd when one considers how he went out of his way to be controversial.

    Next week in this series, one of Hubbard’s jokes gets in the way of his travel plans.

 - Sue

    Join us in East Aurora during the month of May as we observe the centenary of the sinking of the Lusitania with a series of lectures and events about this tragic event which, in an instant, changed the direction of the town’s largest enterprise, the Roycroft. 

1 Art & Glory: The Story of Elbert Hubbard by Freeman Champney, p. 193. 

 

 

RCC Blog/ 1905 Roycroft Convention

    This week in 1905, according to the East Aurora Advertiser, the New-Thought or Science-of-Success Convention was in progress at the Roycroft shops.The Roycroft held several conventions through the year in those days, and it was reported, “though the July convention was great, this one is greater; crowds of people arrive on every train and the Roycroft Inn is taxed to its utmost capacity.“ Then, in the week after the convention, the newspaper revealed that it “was the greatest in the history of the Roycroft Shop. It outranked any previous convention held at this place…although the convention has closed, many people are at the Inn and more arrive on every train.”

     In the year 2014, you can experience a Roycroft Conference on the original East Aurora campus October 3,4 & 5. Lectures, artisan demonstrations, workshops, art shows, good food and great conversation will be plentiful. Registration online is open now.  

 - Sue

Being "Bookish" on the Roycroft Campus

The Roycroft Book Club returns this spring with a discussion at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 23 at the Power House for the book “And the Mountains Echoed” by Khaled Hosseni. 

The club will read a variety of books from contemporary bestsellers to historical non-fiction, and even some Elbert Hubbard titles.  

Join us as we continue the Fra’s love of literature and especially his love for lively discussion on Campus. For more information and future books, go to the Roycroft Book Club.

 

- Sue 

Thank You Volunteers & 2014 Campus News

    At the Volunteer Thank You Holiday Party on Friday, January 3, loyal volunteers were recognized for their hard work and dedication. Giving tours, assisting with special events and teaching classes, these people are part of the corps of volunteers that make the Campus an interesting and enjoyable experience for visitors. 

    After ten years as Executive Director, Christine Peters retired from her work at the RCC on December 31. Those who had the opportunity to work with her over the years know how much she was committed to and loved the work of restoring this National Historic Landmark. Our new Executive Director, Curt Maranto, has now joined the staff to continue the Campus restoration and development which Christine guided for so many years. 

     Curt spoke to the volunteers about what to expect on the Campus in the coming year. Plans are underway to create a printing museum in the basement of the Campus building known as the Print Shop, which will debut late in 2014. Original Roycroft presses will be re-installed and visitors will be able to experience the printing process of the early 1900s. When guided tours resume, the interior of the Chapel, on the corner of Main Street and South Grove, will become part of the Campus tour. Visitors will see an interior that has been largely returned to its original floor plan; walls were removed that had been added when the building functioned as the Town Hall. 

     For those who would like to give Campus tours, docent training will be starting again soon and you can sign up for either the Thursday evening or the Saturday morning training sessions. Contact Alan Nowicki at [email protected]. 

     There is much to be excited about for both volunteers and visitors, so come join in the progress on Campus!

- Sue

 

Toylands

        Western New York is full of wonderful places to visit. Naturally, I usually talk about the Roycroft Campus in this blog, but Christmas makes me think of toys and the Roycroft makes me think of history, so then I think of antique toys. 

        The best place in WNY to see antique toys is the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. What an amazing array of antique toys and discovery awaits you! Antique books and toys are mixed in with contemporary exhibits on the first floor, but you will find that the second floor is where most of the antiques are displayed. 

        If you are shopping for contemporary toys, the Fisher Price Toy Store on Girard Avenue and Vidler’s 5 and Dime on Main Street in East Aurora are very near the Roycroft Campus. 

 Enjoy your toys!

 

- Sue

 

RALA Winter Festival

‘Tis the Roycroft Season 

        The Roycrofters At Large Winter Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, December 7 & 8 at the East Aurora Middle School, 430 Main Street. Artisans juried by the Roycrofters At Large Association (RALA) will be in attendance selling a variety of fine decorative arts. The festival is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day and admission is $1 per person. This is also the time to see the “Goodie Box” and buy a chance to win it (the drawing is in June at the summer festival). 

        Continue your holiday shopping across Main Street on the Roycroft Campus at the Roycroft Copper Shop Gallery. The Gallery features one-of-a-kind pieces by RALA artisans as well as books, stationery and the ever popular Roycroft coffee mugs and wine glasses. There are also two special events on Campus December 7th: tea tastings in the Copper Shop from noon to 5 p.m. and an Arts & Crafts "Return to Nature" lecture and campus tour ($25 fee and requiring reservations) from 1-3:30 p.m.

Happy Roycroft hunting!

 

- Sue