RoycroftCampusCorporation

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

Chapel Update

    One of the benefits of being a volunteer is getting the first look, or inside scoop. RCC volunteers got theirs at the April 2nd meeting - an interior tour of the Roycroft Chapel which the Roycroft Inn now manages. This beautiful asymmetrical building will eventually be completely restored to its original 1910 appearance inside and out; which means the lecture room skylights (now visible on the exterior) will once again be revealed. 

    Happily, past owners of the building were good caretakers of this landmark and made minor changes that will be relatively easily reversed. The Inn has already removed interior walls on the first floor that were put in place by the town, and has made the spaces presentable and usable for the time being. However, before restoration begins, a thorough Historic Structures Report will be compiled, determining the extent of the work and establishing the funds needed to raise to complete the work. 

     The RCC volunteers got a bare bones look at what has been done to date and what lies ahead. A massive stone fireplace is now revealed on the first floor, while the interior dividing walls on the second floor have yet to be removed. The volunteers were able to clamber up into the attic to see the interior of the upper most tower room which is crowned with round windows. That sight won’t be seen by visitors for quite awhile, but depending on the scheduled use of the building, the RCC in-depth two hour tours may be able to go inside some parts of the building beginning in May.  

- Sue

     Here are some peeks behind the scenes - click on the images to see them full size.  

        

   

 

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

Campus Landscape Work Begins

Ground has broken on the first stage of the Campus restoration of green space. The area west of the Chapel and immediately south of Main Street has been excavated in preparation for the new hardscape parking area. 

 

Below is a portion of the Campus site plan rendering from the RCC 2010 Master Plan. The area where work has begun is indicated by the full color oval on the rendering. 

 

The eventual restoration of the lawn on the east side of the Print Shop is a key element of the site plan. Returning this green space will help to restore the park-like quality of the Campus grounds enjoyed by Elbert Hubbard, his guests and fellow Roycrofters. 

Join us as we continue the restoration of this important Arts & Crafts historic landmark. Tour the Campus, purchase artisan wares in the Copper Shop, attend events and classes in the Power House, and become a member. See the RCC website or Facebook page for ways you can participate in keeping the Roycroft spirit vibrant and growing.  

 

- Sue

Rockstoration Celebration

Come celebrate the Roycroft Campus peimeter stone wall restoration - known as "Rockstoration" - on Friday, August 9 from 6-9 p.m. The Power House will be "rocking" with a BBQ and live music. Tickets are $20 per person. Previous donors to Rockstoration will receive complimentary tickets in the mail. Call 655-0261 for more information. 

- Sue

Roycroft Summer Festival

        The Roycroft Summer Festival makes its annual appearance in East Aurora this June 29 & 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days. RALA Artisans will be at Parkdale Slementary School (141 Girard Avenue).

        On the Roycroft Campus, the Copper Shop is ready for festival visitors with everything "Roycroftie" and the Power House will be open to the public so that visitors may go inside this newly reconstructed building. Artisan classes are held here throughout the year and the building is available to rent for business functions, receptions, and weddings. For details on what's happening on Campus go to www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com. 

        Tours of this National Historic Landmark Campus are $10 per person and are given at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays. You can buy a discounted combination tour ticket for both the Roycroft Campus and the Hubbard Museum at the Copper Shop.

        I recommend ending your day with a Peristyle porch dinner at the Roycroft Inn. The same porch where Elbert Hubbard had lively conversations with famous visitors that became the material for his periodicals. And, the same porch where you can soak up the "calm of the country," as Elbert put it, and of which he was so fond.

Enjoy your time in this beautiful village!

- Sue