A Tradition of Fine Craftsmanship and Creativity On the Roycroft Campus

In a recent blog I discussed my  experience as a Juried Artist in The Roycroft Arts & Craftsmen Guild on the Roycroft Campus. When talking to people at art festivals, I realize many people outside of East Aurora, New York, are unfamiliar with Roycroft. The campus is a cultural treasure with a rich history that I will share with you in this blog.

The Roycroft Campus is a “best kept secret” located in East Aurora, New York.  The campus is the best preserved and most complete complex of buildings remaining in the United States of the “guilds” that evolved as centers of craftsmanship and philosophy during the late 19th century.  Currently the campus includes nine of the original fourteen structures, including the Inn, the Chapel, the Print Shop, the Furniture Shop, and the Copper Shop.

The Roycroft Campus was founded by Elbert Hubbard, who left a lucrative career as a soap salesman to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. He visited William Morris while in England, who is considered the father of the Arts & Crafts Movement. The Arts & Crafts movement was a reaction to the Industrial Revolution and Victorian styles.  The movements’ goal was to promote the creation of hand-crafted, high-quality objects, inspired by the beauty and simplicity of nature.

In 1897, Elbert constructed a print shop next to his home on Grove Street in East Aurora, to print hand-crafted books and his magazine, The Philistine.  His story, titled A Message to Garcia, was an international success, motivating him to expand his print shop. He converted his home into what is now The Roycroft Inn, because of the need to accommodate hundreds of visitors. Hubbard expanded his operation to include other crafts, such as woodworking and coppersmithing, to furnish the Inn and other campus buildings.

Visitors to the campus loved the work being created and began buying these pieces for their homes. The campus continues to expand; at one point in the early 1900s there were more than 500 people employed on the campus.

During the Great Depression, the Roycroft Campus declared bankruptcy and the buildings were sold off individually for other uses.

A revival movement began in the 1970s to restore the Campus. In 1986 the Campus was granted National Historic Register Landmark Status. Since that time, there has been a continued effort to restore the buildings and  generate interest in the Roycroft Legacy. Currently, the Campus offers tours, lectures, events, and classes. The Copper Shop is now a gallery, where I sell my work. The Inn and restaurant draw tourists from around the world.

Given Roycroft's rich history, I am honored to be a juried artist in the Arts & Craftsmen Guild. The guild aspires to continue the standards of the original Roycrofters.  Our objectives are to encourage and promote the highest standards of artistry and craftsmanship among our members. We strive to promote and preserve the home of the American Arts & Crafts Movement and to foster the fellowship and tranquility among artists of all mediums along with their supporters. We provide assistance and mentoring to members to support the development and preservation of excellence in artistry and craftsmanship. For more information about the Guild, visit https://www.artsandcraftsmenguild.com/

I encourage you to visit the Roycroft Campus in 2026, once the snow stops flying.  To book a tour and get more information, click this link: https://www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com/