On Monday June 24th, the Edinboro Seniors will visit the Roycroft Campus, founded in 1897 by Eldred Hubbard, and is the best preserved complex of buildings remaining in the United States of the “guilds” that evolved as centers of craftsmanship. Hubbard began with a small printing shop modeled after William Morris’ Kelmscott Press in England. It would later expand into a community of skilled craftsmen and artists that ignited the Arts and Crafts movement in America. The Roycroft Campus is a National Historic Landmark and receives support from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Following a group orientation in the visitor’s center, participants will have the opportunity to tour the campus on their own, examining the buildings that include the power house (now the M&T Bank Visitor Center), the print shop, copper shop, and furniture shop which is now home to Roycroft Antiques.
The Arts and Crafts movement was an international trend in the decorative and fine arts that began in Britain and flourished in Europe and America between 1880 and 1920. It stood for traditional craftsmanship using simple forms, and often used medieval, romantic, or folk styles of decoration while advocating economic and social reform and was essentially anti-industrial. It had a strong influence on the arts in Europe and its influence continues among craft makers, designers, and town planners.
The term was first used in England at a meeting of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1887 and was inspired by the designer William Morris. The movement was largely a reaction against the perceived impoverishment of the decorative arts at that time and a rebellion against objects and buildings that were excessively ornate and artificial.
The day’s exploration of the Arts and Crafts movement will culminate with lunch at the prestigious Roycroft Inn, located across the street from the Roycroft Campus The campus and inn are located in beautiful downtown East Aurora, New York. The cost for the bus trip, the tour of the Roycroft Campus and lunch is $85 and is open to the public. Anyone interested in going on this trip should contact Pat Koloskee at 412-913-3805 or mail their reservations to Edinboro Seniors, c/o Pat Koloskee, Edinboro United Methodist Church, PO Box 764, Edinboro, PA, 16412.