In early June I traveled to East Aurora, New York to attend a Road Scholar program with the title "Frank Lloyd Wright, Roycroft and the Arts and Crafts Movement". East Aurora is located in Western New York state just outside of Buffalo.
I joined my fellow travelers at the historic Arts and Crafts Roycroft campus. Original Roycroft buildings are located in the area of South Grove and Main Streets in East Aurora.
The Roycroft Community was founded by Elbert Hubbard. Born in Illinois, Hubbard began his career and found great financial success as a salesman and advertising innovator for the Larkin Soap Company in Buffalo, NY. His acquired business skills and charismatic personality were a driving force in Roycroft becoming a successful enterprise.
More interested in writing, philosophy, arts and publishing than he was in selling soap, Hubbard left the Larkin Soap Company in 1893. He was intrigued by the Arts and Crafts Movement and its philosophy of art and craftsmanship as instruments of social reform. This interest led him to England and to proponents of the Arts and Crafts Movement, William Morris and John Ruskin. Hubbard reported that he visited and was inspired by William Morris and his Kelmscott Press.
In 1894 Hubbard returned to East Aurora and set up a print shop to publish primarily his own writings. This marked the beginning of the Roycroft community. He was known for his classic essay, A Message to Garcia. This essay about accepting responsibility and the value of a strong work ethic caught the public imagination in 1899. Hubbard was also the publisher of 2 magazines and many other books. He was also a popular draw on the lecture circuit of his day as his literary stature and cult figure status grew.
The Salon in the Roycroft Inn
Our Road Scholar group enjoyed lodgings in the Roycroft Inn. In 1994 the Wendt Foundation bought and restored the Inn, complete with original period furnishings. It certainly added to the ambience of our week to reside there.
The Roycrofter philosophy found on a door in the reception area of the Roycroft Inn.
It is important to know that the Roycroft Inn served many purposes during the active years of the Roycroft community. Built in 1897, the building was the first Print Shop. It grew in size as new wings and other additions were built on to accommodate his growing printing enterprise as well as to house the Roycroft workers and the many guests and artisans who came to Roycroft as its size and stature grew.
Elbert Hubbard began to refer to the property as "The Inn" in 1903. It was updated to offer more sleeping rooms and a grand salon space for lectures, meetings and concerts. Many of our Road Scholar activities took place in the restored Salon (pictured above) where the Roycroft legacy is alive and well.
Another bit of Roycrofter philosophy on an entry door to the Roycroft Inn.
And one of our group, Dan, creating music for our enjoyment in the garden of the Roycroft Inn.
The Arts and Crafts Movement began as a reaction against change brought about by the Industrial Revolution and mass production. Elbert Hubbard envisioned a revival of a guild style model of self sufficient artisans, apprentices, and families living and working in healthy and fulfilling conditions. In small shops there was an emphasis on hand crafted excellence.
Roycroft enterprises grew out of the success of the original print shop. The print shop led to the creation of a bindery where leather bound books were made. A leather shop, a metal working shop, and a wood working/furniture shop soon followed. The artisans and their designs embodied the spirit of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Hubbard employed his marketing skills to ensure their appeal to the public.
In
November of 1986 the Department of the Interior awarded the buildings of the Roycroft campus National
Historic Landmark status.
The Chapel
Built in 1899 and constructed of local field stone. This building served as a meeting hall for the Roycrofters.
The Print Shop
This L-shaped half timbered and field stone building was completed in 1901 when all printing and binding operations were relocated from their first location in the Roycroft Inn. By 1905 the printing operation employed over 200 workers.
More Roycrofter philosophy: "Blessed is that man who has found his work".
Blacksmith and Copper Shop
Constructed in 1902, blacksmiths created hardware for doors and furniture, light fixtures and tools used around the campus.
Today The Copper Shop houses the Roycroft Gallery and Gift Shop.
The Power House
Built in 1909-10, this building housed 3 coal fired steam generators. Electricity and heat were provided to all Roycroft buildings via an underground system.
Today the Power House serves as a visitor and event center.
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| The Power House |
The Appian Way
A walkway through the middle of the campus connecting the Roycroft Inn with the rest of the Roycroft buildings.
The Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum at the Scheidemantel House
Built in 1910 as a home for Roycrofter artisan, George Scheidemantel and his wife Gladys.
George was in charge of the Leather Shop at Roycroft.
The Museum hosts a fine collection of Hubbard and Roycroft memorabilia.
Elbert Hubbard and his second wife, Alice and their daughter.
All Roycroft products were stamped with the Roycroft insignia. If you look on the left table leg or on the chair below the cushion you will see the cross and the orb. The design was adopted by Hubbard in 1895. The cross is divided into 3 sections representing Faith, Hope and Love. He also added an R inside the orb. This stamp is evident everywhere on the campus.
Frederick Kranz home: a Roycroft residence
Built in 1911 for leather craftsman Frederick Kranz.
White Hyacinths: a
Roycroft residence
(backyard)
The home of our group leader, Ellen Moomaw.
Front yard at White Hyacinths
"We need not think alike to love alike".
East Aurora Boarding House
This building just seemed to add to the feel of East Aurora. It harkens back to a time when the Roycroft community employed upwards to 500 people in its various enterprises. This was a rooming house for Roycroft workers.
And now for a change of pace:
Lots of variety in our days including a hands on activity...AKA adults at play! Get out the watercolors for some hand illumination fun!
And a demonstration by a Master Silversmith
In the Salon of the Roycroft Inn
Back to Roycroft history:
The arc of success for Hubbard and the Roycroft enterprise began to turn on May 7, 1915. Elbert and Alice Hubbard were aboard the Lusitania headed for Europe on a peace mission related to WWI when the ship sank and the Hubbards perished at sea.
Alice and Elbert Hubbard before boarding the Lusitania.
The unexpected loss of its charismatic leader was a blow for the Roycroft community. On May 23, 1915 over 2000 people arrived in East Aurora for a Memorial Service.
Hubbard's son Bert took over management of Roycroft operations but the decline continued at a slow and steady pace. The Great Depression and a general loss of interest in the Arts and Crafts style resulted in the business being sold at auction in 1938. Different owners and operators ran the Inn with little success. During WWII the Inn became a boarding house. In 1987 the end came with bankruptcy.
A revival of the spirit of Roycroft is the result of a renewed interest in the Arts and Crafts style. The Inn and the Roycroft campus buildings remain as repositories of this spirit due to the hard work and dedication of some local East Aurora citizens. Roycroft became a guild of some of the finest artists and craftspeople of the time as a result of the lure of a supportive artistic community and Hubbard's recruiting skills. Preserving this history is a work in progress in East Aurora.
And now on to Frank Lloyd Wright...
Our group was treated to an entire day visiting 3 different Frank Lloyd Wright residences in western New York.
First stop: Martin House Complex
Located in Buffalo, NY
The connection between Martin House and the Roycroft community is, surprisingly, the Larkin Soap Company. Elbert Hubbard retired from Larkin after a successful career and moved on to found the Roycroft community. Darwin D. Martin was a wealthy Buffalo businessman, employed by Larkin, when he sought an architect to design his family home. He was directed to Frank Lloyd Wright who designed this unique residence between 1903-1905.
Front entrance to Martin House
Standing on the porch before entering the house. The FLW designed light fixtures are notable. Also, this residence includes many examples of FLW designed art glass windows including the famous "Tree of Life" design.
On the porch adjacent to the living room which includes a FLW designed grand piano.
From the porch, a view of the Prairie style elements of strong horizontal lines, a sheltering roof and deep overhanging eaves.
Above is an outside view of The Pergola, a unique feature of the Martin House.
The Pergola connects the Main House to the Conservatory and Carriage House. The long walkway leads to a light filled Conservatory and a replica of the Greek statue "The Nike of Samothrace."
In 1986 The Martin House Complex was granted National Historic Landmark status.
The Carriage House: currently the Martin House Complex Gift Shop.
The Gardener's residence at the Martin House Complex.
Next stop: Graycliff Estate, the summer home of the Martin family, also designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Located on the shores of Lake Erie south of Buffalo.
This retreat was built primarily at the behest of Mrs. Martin and was one of FLW's most significant designs of the 1920's.
The interior of Greycliff Estate was under renovation at the time of our visit. Although it was difficult to imagine the inside as a finished environment, the grounds, the presence of Lake Erie and a fine sunny day created the feeling of a tranquil retreat.
Next stop: A FLW Usonian home.
Usonian is a term FLW gave to middle income family homes he designed starting in 1936, his answer to "affordable housing".
Approximately 60 of these small, single story Usonian homes were built.
Janice McDuffie, a contemporary Roycroft potter resides in this Usonian home. She invited us into her home and studio on this final stop of our Frank Lloyd Wright day.
Quite simply put, this week in East Aurora was an active, thought provoking walk though an intriguing slice of cultural history.
In closing I share with you from the philosophy of Elbert Hubbard.
Twelve Things For Roycrofters To Remember
The value of time.
The success of perseverance.
The pleasure of working.
The dignity of simplicity.
The worth of character.
The power of kindness.
The influence of example.
The obligation of duty.
The wisdom of economy.
The virtue of patience.
The improvement of talent.
The joy of originating.
And Frank Lloyd Wright's "The Organic Commandment of 1940".
Love is the virtue of the Heart
Sincerity is the virtue of the Mind
Courage is the virtue of the Spirit
Decision is the virtue of the Will
💗
Thanks for sharing this journey
