ARTS
AND CRAFTS ARE INN
(excerpted
from an article from Long Weekends Fall, 2003)
Travelers have been finding their way to East Aurora, New York, since
the turn of the twentieth century, when the bucolic village was home to the
Roycroft Arts and Crafts community and its charismatic leader, Elbert Hubbard.
They came from all over the United States to visit this thriving community
of artisans that turned out copperware, leather goods, fine bookbinding and
mission-style furniture. The Roycroft Inn, built to accommodate the influx
of visitors, remained open until 1938 and following a succession of owners,
was restored to historic accuracy in 1995.
Today, devotees of the Arts and Crafts style come to bask in the
atmosphere of Hubbard's inn. From the moment you ascend the steps to the Roycroft
Inn and open the heavy oak door inscribed with one of Hubbard's mottos, "Produce
great people--the rest follows," you feel the importance of this National
Landmark property. Simplicity prevails in the spacious public rooms appointed
with Stickley and Roycroft furnishings. Lamps and wall sconces crafted by
select artisans remain true to the style of Roycroft designer Dard Hunter,
while photographs scattered throughout the inn help explain Hubbard's ideals
and capture life in the inn's heyday.
Instead of numbering the guest rooms, Hubbard dedicated rooms to those he
admired in the fields of literature, science and the fine and performing arts,
such as Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, Richard Wagner, Susan B. Anthony
and Thomas Edison. The 50 original rooms were transformed into 22 spacious
suites. Each suite has a sitting room, reading room, and one or two sleeping
rooms.
Wall coverings and decorative fabrics in the style of William Morris
soften the mission-style furniture. Wicker furniture padded with
Southwest-design pillows offers a comfy reading space. Commodious bathrooms
are fitted with whirlpool tubs, luxurious towels and robes. An adjoining guesthouse
with seven rooms and a parlor was opened in August 1999. Settling down for
a meal at The Roycroft demands making a choice of dining settings, and each
has its merits. White linen and reproduction Roycroft china dress the tables,
and the staff wear flowing black cravats, a trademark of Hubbard's wardrobe.
The windowed Larkin Room furnished with green wicker overlooks a courtyard
perennial garden, while a pleasant spot for breakfast or dinner on a summer
evening is the Peristyle, or "veranda," (circa 1904) that runs the
length of the inn.
It's a short walk from The Roycroft to the Elbert Hubbard-Roycroft
Museum on Oakwood Avenue. Housed in a green clapboard and shingled Craftsman
bungalow built in 1910, the museum is filled with Roycroft furniture and decorative
objects.
East Aurora invites strolling with its tree-shade streets lined with
homes from the Greek Revival, Federal and Victorian periods. Stop at the town
hall for a look at the town's history. Continue on East Main Street for a
tour of the village's historic architecture. Stop to admire the 17 opalescent
glass windows created by Tiffany studios in the Baker Memorial Church.
East Aurora is home to the Millard Fillmore House, designated as a National
Historic Landmark, on Shearer Avenue. A formal Presidential Rose Garden features
varieties grown before 1840. Abigail Fillmore's herb garden can be found on
the south side of this charming Federal Period home.
A visit to East Aurora isn't complete without a stop at Vidler's
Five-and-Ten. In business since 1930, folks delight in finding large jars
of penny candy and other reminders of early five-and-tens.
Summertime brings festivals to East Aurora. The Roycrofters Summer Festival
comes to town each June. Toyfest, U.S.A., sponsored by the Toy Town Museum,
attracts nearly 100,000 in August. Toyfest is a celebration of the history
of toy heritage in western New York and particularly East Aurora, the home
of Fisher-Price Toys
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