March has arrived, and while we patiently wait for the Crocuses to bloom, another sign of change and rebirth has already blossomed on the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora. It's been decades since the lights, originally installed by Elbert Hubbard, graced Main Street in the quaint little village just 20 miles South East of Buffalo. With the road reconstruction complete and winter fading, once again the path is lit for those who wish to Rediscover the Roycroft.
The lights were installed as part of the NYS DOT reconstruction of Main Street completed in November of last year. Cast by Union Metal Co of Canton, Ohio - the same company that created the original lights more than one hundred years ago - the lights were lit just in time for the Classic Winter week in the Village.
The Roycroft Campus is home to the American Arts & Crafts movement made famous by Hubbard and his Artists and Craftsmen and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Reconstruction and restoration efforts will begin in late spring as the Roycroft Campus Corporation undertakes a multi- million dollar renovation of the buildings and grounds in preparation for the 2011 National Historic Trust Conference.
Anchored by the Copper Shop Gallery, featuring more than 95 artisans, and the impeccably restored Roycroft Inn, reopened to the public in 1995, the Roycroft continues to call to those seeking the Spirit of Arts & Crafts as more than 250,000 people from around the world annually rediscover the Art & Spirit of Roycroft.
Well, since no one is commenting then I will take a moment to comment that this is wonderful on an architectural, historical and community level.
It is also a vital step in the restoration of the Campus for real Arts and Crafts artisans and manufacturers which have successfully sprung up all over the nation such as neighboring Stickley. However, few can be held in comparison to Roycroft in terms of history and original historical campus.
I look forward to the Roycroft moving beyond restoration and taking the next steps in the historical message, brand management and small lot manufacturing (the next step is definitely to start putting the Roycroft (Products) Brand alongside other national brands like Stickley).
Great post!