Roycroft Campus To Celebrate Re-Opening of Copper Shop

 

A news conference and ribbon cutting will be held on the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of The Copper Shop. The events will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, June 12th at 9:30 AM EST at the Copper Shop, located at 31 South Grove Street in East Aurora, New York.

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986, the Roycroft Campus is a unique and irreplaceable historic site that welcomes thousands of visitors annually. The Copper Shop building, which was constructed in 1902, serves as the Campus’ main art gallery and gift shop. More than a century old, the condition of the floors created a potential hazard to visitors and the building needed other significant structural restoration. Completion of this phase of restoration will be celebrated with a news conference and ribbon cutting with representatives from local government and the project’s funders.

 

The newly restored floors of Roycroft’s Copper Shop. Courtesy of the Roycroft Campus Facebook page. For more pictures on the re-opening, see their facebook page @theroycroftcampus

 

The newly restored floors of Roycroft’s Copper Shop. Courtesy of the Roycroft Campus Facebook page. For more pictures on the re-opening, see their facebook page @theroycroftcampus

 

Among those planning to attend are Erie County Executive Marc Poloncarz, Representatives from Empire State Development, Erie County Legislator and Minority Leader Joseph Lorigo, and Executive VP of the John R. Oishei Foundation Paul Hogan.  

In July of 2018, it was announced that Roycroft would continue the next step of restoration by turning their efforts to the restoration of the Copper Shop floors. The project involved the removal and replacement of existing cracked and unsafe concrete slab throughout the building; removal of maple flooring in the west wing and replacement of subfloor and hardwood; reconfiguration of the northwest side of the west wing and removal of a 1960s fireplace in the north wing to be more historically accurate; addition of an ADA compliant bathroom; updated boiler and plumbing systems; and tying all electrical to the Power House building.

“The Roycroft Campus is a unique and irreplaceable historic resource that attracts visitors from all over the world,” said Curt Maranto, Executive Director. “Restoration of the Campus serves as a catalyst for our economy by reinforcing and enhancing the tourist-related activity essential to revitalizing Western New York.”

Earlier this year in April, the Roycroft Campus Corporation was the recipient of a $200,000 capital grant from Erie County for the restoration of the Shop floors, in addition to a $35,756 grant in support of their 2019 programming expenses.

 

Construction in the Copper Shop earlier in April of this year. Photo courtesy of Amizetta Haj.

 

The old floors in July 2018. Photo courtesy of Amizetta Haj.

 

Additionally, the following deals & giveaways will be offered to attendees:

15% off garden merchandise
15% off non-Artisan lamps
20% off non-Artisan books
20% off select decorative plates
25% off Morris Pillows
25% off Throw Blankets

Attendees can also enter a raffle to win a Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired Bird-feeder

 

The Roycroft Copper Shop.

 

The Roycroft Campus Corporation (RCC) is a not for profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Roycroft Campus, a National Historic Landmark in East Aurora, New York.  From 1897 to 1938, the Roycroft Campus was one of the most successful and well-known centers of the Arts & Crafts Movement in the United States, consisting of a community of over 500 artisans and craftspeople led by writer and entrepreneur, Elbert Hubbard. The RCC’s mission is to inspire visitors to experience the creativity, ideals and future of the Arts & Crafts Movement and to further promote and preserve the Roycroft Campus.  For further information, call (716) 655-0261, 7 days a week from 10 am – 5 pm or visit www.roycroftcampuscorp.com.