Craftsman Farms Prepares For Weekend Celebration

Leave thoughts of yardwork and football aside for a few hours this weekend and make the drive over to Morris Plains, N.J. to enjoy the grand finale of the centennial year celebration of Gustav Stickley's Craftsman Farms.

The staff, board and volunteers at the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms have been working for weeks getting the grounds and buildings ready for Saturday and Sunday's activities, so take advantage of this opportunity to step back into Gustav Stickley's Arts & Crafts utopia for some inspiration and thought-provoking discussion.

On Saturday the events open at the Community Church in nearby Mountain Lakes with a series of speakers, including Mike Danial from the Stickley Company, woodworker and designer Peter Maynard, Dr. Jonathan Clancy from Sotheby's, Nonie Gadsden from the Boston Museum of Arts, and Bruce Johnson. The "Forging Ahead Forum" will take place from 10:00am-4:00pm. The $35 cost for non-members ($25 for members) includes lunch. To register and for directions call (973) 540-0311.

Saturday evening's "Catch the Spark Gala" returns to the Mountain Lakes Club for an enchanting and fun evening of friends, fine food, dancing, music, cocktails and a benefit auction. Only a few spaces remain available, so call (973) 540-0311 for more information.

On Sunday from 11:00am until 4:00pm docents will be on hand for a day-long open house at Craftsman Farms, including a rare viewing of the inside of the North Cottage. Brunch is also available: $35 for non-members and $25 for members. Also, Michael Adams and Dawn Hopkins of Aurora Studios will be demonstrating their craft of making Gustav Stickley and Dirk Van Erp-inspired hammered copper lighting. Again, call (973) 540-0311 for reservations and information.

It promises to be a weekend you will never forget, so call and make your plans to attend this grand finale celebration. It's too early to start raking and you can catch the highlights of the game on ESPN, so give yourself an Arts & Crafts treat and make the trip over to Craftsman Farms.

For more information and to see photographs of Craftsman Farms, please go to: http://www.StickleyMuseum.org.