The Buildings of The Roycroft
Campus
Located at
31 South Grove Street East Aurora, NY
Click on a building
or on the list below to
see historic information.
(from left to right)
- Roycroft Inn
- Appian Way
- Chapel
- Printing
- Power House
- Coppershop
- Book Bindery /
Furniture
The Roycroft Inn
Built in 1897, this structure was the first Print Shop. Between 1898 and 1900, it was expanded to accommodate Hubbard’s growing business. In 1900 the original Print Shop was converted into the “Phalanstery” or “The Home of Friends,” where both workers and Campus Guests could socialize. Elbert Hubbard began referring to the property as the “Inn” in 1903 and offered thirty-eight sleeping rooms. More rooms continued to be added along with a “grand salon or music room.” This large room served as a lecture hall for Hubbard and special guest speakers as well as music concerts.
Over the past century, countless guests have passed through the heavy oak doors, including authors, inventors, artists, politicians and other great thinkers – many of world renown. Years ago they came to see the man himself; today they come to experience his legacy.
To learn more about the Roycroft Inn and its extensive restorations click here: http://www.roycroftinn.com
The Appian Way
The Appian Way Shortly after the turn of the century, a walkway called “The Appian Way” was formed through the middle of the
Campus Green. Its purpose was to connect the Roycroft Inn to the rest of the Campus, much in the manner that the original Appian Way connected Rome to the rest of the Italian peninsula. A brick pathway, lined with scenic gardens and beautiful park benches designed and built by Roycroft Master Artisan, Tom Bojanowksi provides a “Little Journey” from the restored Roycroft Inn to the Copper Shop Gallery.
To see photos click here: Appian Way Photos
To learn more click here: http://www.ralaweb.com/pave.html
The Roycroft Chapel
The Roycroft Chapel was Built in 1899. The Chapel served as a meeting hall for the Roycrofters. The edifice was constructed of local 
glacial fieldstone and was the second structure built on the campus. It has often been described as one of the most beautiful, asymmetrical structures in America. Some of the noted building features include a crenellated tower and a sculptured terra cotta face in the peak facing Main Street. The main meeting hall was known as the Art Gallery, featuring fine oil paintings by many well known artists. The building also housed the principal sales room of the Roycrofters.
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The Printing Shop
Printing Shop This L-shaped, half timbered and stone structure with 
crenellated tower, completed in 1901, was built to meet the printing demands of the immensely popular publication “Message to Garcia.” Both the printing and binding operations were relocated here from the first print shop in the original portion of the Inn. Once the most modern print shop in the area, it employed over two hundred workers by 1905. Shipping and general administration were carried on here as well.
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Power House
Built with rusticated concrete blocks and half timbering and stucco in 1909-1910, this was the last major building added to the Roycroft Campus. Housing three coal fired steam generators, it provided electricity and heat to the Roycroft Buildings in an underground system. The second floor was a large room used for practice by the Roycroft bands. To see current restoration efforts click here.
Constructed in 1902 of local stone, half timbered and stuccoed in the style of a small English cottage, the second blacksmith shop initially had a brickinterior and dirt floor. Under the 
direction of Karl Kipp and Walter Jennings, the blacksmiths created hardware for doors, furniture, lighting fixtures, andirons and tools for all the buildings on the Campus. Two additions were added to this building to facilitate the emerging, hammered copper product line and to bottle East Aurora maple syrup and honey. Beginning in 1912, the front room served as Elbert Hubbard’s Roycroft Bank for several years.
Furniture Shop & Bindery The furniture produced in this shop, built in 1904, was created for use in the Inn and the other Campus buildings. Elbert 
Hubbard was inspired to produce a simplistic style after visiting England. Eventually and somewhat unexpectedly, consumer demand evolved for the Roycroft handcrafted furniture, yet was somewhat short-lived. The steady demand for Roycroft leather-bound books, more space was needed for bookmaking. On the other hand, as the call for furniture declined, it allowed the furniture shop to be designated additional space for the new leather shop and bindery.