A message from Christine Peters,
Executive Director

THE ROYCROFT CAMPUS CORPORATION
October 2007

When does the sound of drilling, dozers, clanking of hammers, and buzzing of saws, sound like music to your ears? When it means progress in the restoration of the Roycroft Campus!

The Roycroft Campus was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. In 2004, the RCC Board of Directors unanimously voted to undertake the mission to restore the entire Campus, and to reintroduce the Campus as if Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters never left. This includes the development of educational and interpretive programming, and the businesses of Roycroft.

The Roycroft Copper Shop, built in 1902, was the first building to be purchased by the RCC in April 2005, with the purchase of the Power House following in October 2005. Good news came quickly for RCC with the first major grant of $500,000, awarded on the day the Copper Shop was purchased. Stabilizing measures and emergency repairs took place as the first order of business, followed by the opening of the
Gallery in October 2005. The Shop now represents over 60 local and national artisans with hand-crafted items on display and for sale. The Shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm and has increased sales by over 130% since the first customer was served.

Supporting artisans in the Gallery is only one part of RCC’s mission. Classes, providing hands-on experiences taught mostly by Roycroft Artisans, lectures, and tours provide the educational and interpretive programming that brings the Campus alive. Several thousand visitors stop by the Shop monthly to see demonstrations in varying mediums, learn about the history of the Shop and Campus, enroll in classes (with many repeat students), inquire about what RCC’s plans are for the Campus, and of course, shop. Artisan item sales are 75% of total sales. Tours are becoming very popular as well – it’s the enticing story of the   Roycrofters: what they did, how they lived, their art, and just who Elbert Hubbard was, that helps them experience what was and what is to come again.

The Roycroft Campus Corporation has been successful in raising over $3.5 million for the restoration of the Copper Shop, the rebuilding of the Power House, and repair and enhancements for the Campus grounds. But this is only half of what is needed to complete just these three projects. In addition, RCC has received over $800 thousand in operational support thru 2009. This money has been raised thru grants awarded from local, county, state and federal government agencies as well as public and private foundations, fundraising events, and private donations. RCC currently has six (6) employees with the expected potential of 300 or more, once the project is completed and programming is fully developed

Plans for the next three years include: Fall 2007 (almost completed) - interior and temporary exterior work of the Copper Shop, installation of a waterline, and de-construction/site preparation of the Power House. The focus for 2008 will be the rebuilding of the Power House, devastated by a fire in 1997 and further destroyed by harsh winter weather in 2004. Once rebuilt, the operations now in the Copper Shop will be moved to the Power House to allow for the restoration of the Copper Shop in 2009. The Campus Ground work will mostly likely be scheduled for some time in 2008 and/or 2009.

The buildings will include a visitors’ center, museum space, classrooms, lecture and demonstration space, printing and other product development and production, public restrooms, offices, and a Gallery/Gift

Shop.The Roycroft Campus Corporation is dedicated to the preservation of the Roycroft Campus and the Arts & Crafts Movement that began in East Aurora, NY by Elbert Hubbard.

More photos can be found on the Rennovation pages.