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NOTES FROM THE FARMS THE JOURNAL OF THE CRAFTSMAN FARMS FOUNDATION FROM THE SCHOLAR’S SYMPOSIUM TO KICK DIRECTOR’S CHAIR OFF DESIGN FOR LIVING WEEKEND —Heather E. Stivison he Design for Living Weekend begins scholars were selected: Ton October 5 at 9 a.m. with the 3rd Annual Emerging Scholars Symposium. Diana Greenwold, Ph.D. candidate, To everything This year’s symposium is sponsored by History of Art, University of California, there is a season Leigh Ann and Bruce Johnson. A part- Berkeley will present “Crafting New nership with Sotheby's Institute of Art, Citizens: Immigrant Identity at Boston's and a time . American Fine and Decorative Art Paul Revere Pottery, 1908-1942” or more than six years I have had Programme, the Symposium seeks to support and secure Arts and Crafts- John Paul Murphy, Ph.D. candidate, Art the honor of serving as the exec- F related scholarship among worthy grad- History, Northwestern University will utive director of the Stickley uate (and recently graduated) scholars. present “Is Poverty Progress? Henry Museum at Craftsman Farms. These George, William Morris, and the years have been filled with successes, Held in conjunction with a weekend of Aesthetics of Social Reform” challenges, and unforgettable memo- events on October 5-6, the Symposium ries that I will cherish for the rest of theme focuses on the integration of art David Sledge, History of Art M.A., my life. So it is a bittersweet moment and life. Speakers will address the inter- Williams College will present “History th to be writing my 26 and final “From section of craft, idealism, and economics and the Craftsman: Anti-modernism in the Director’s Chair” message. and the tension between economic via- Thomas Eakins's 1908 William Rush bility and a satisfied artistic life. Series” But to everything there is a season and a time, and the time for depar- A. M. Simpson wrote in the March 1902 These three emerging scholars will be ture is here. My husband and I will issue of The Craftsman magazine: joined by two distinguished scholars, be leaving the New Jersey home in Nancy Green and Suzanne L. Flynt. “Unless the production of the necessi- which we have lived for the past 27 ties of life can be made beautiful, Nancy Green, the Gale and Ira Drukier years to start a new and exciting pleasurable and instructive, our whole Curator of Prints, Drawings, and chapter of our lives in coastal society must remain disorganized, dis- Photographs at Cornell University’s Massachusetts. And so the time has integrated, and productive of pain, and Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art,will come for me to say good-bye to the inartistic… What is needed at the Continued on page 2 Stickley Museum at Craftsman present time is a process of synthesis Farms and to all the wonderful peo- and correlation.” ple who help it thrive. Left: This is an aspect of modern life that the Symposium fea- tured speaker You are a dedicated group of mem- Arts and Crafts movement sought to Suzanne L. bers and I have been deeply touched correct. The tension between economic Flynt, who is by your kindness and warmth. I viability and a satisfied, artistic life curator of thank every one of you who have remained a constant concern for pro- Memorial Hall sent thoughtful notes and beautiful ducers throughout the period. Museum in cards to wish me well in my new life Deerfield, Emerging scholars were challenged to Continued on page 2 Massachusetts. submit papers on this theme. Three Fall 2013 a Vol. 22, No. 3 NOTES FROM THE FARMS Director’s Chair continued from page 1 Conference continued... th and to acknowledge the many things the Smithsonian, Syracuse University, be the 6 Annual Amy Stahl Memorial we have accomplished together. PBS, Drew University, and Sotheby’s Lecturer. Green’s catalogue Arthur Institute will continue to expand. And Wesley Dow and His Influence received At the core of these accomplishments our annual attendance, which has honorable mention in the Moe Prize was the development of a comprehen- grown more than 400% in the past six competition for works in art history sive historic site master plan in 2007. years, will also continue to grow. from the New York State Historical This massive multi-volume plan guid- Association and in 2006 Byrdcliffe won ed us as we worked together to pre- The biggest project of my tenure, the the Moe Prize as and an award from the Metropolitan Chapter of the Victorian serve and protect this historic site. Log House fire prevention project Society for Catalogue of Distinction. Some highlights of that preservation (described on page 4) is now coming Green received her B.A. from include the restoration of the master to a close. With so many projects Connecticut College and her M.A. in Art bedroom, master bathroom, and cot- completed, all eyes are looking towards History from Williams College. An essay tage roofs, and the rehabilitation of the next stage of life at Craftsman related to her topic appears on page 6. the North Cottage and the Milk Farms. We have just received a grant House. We also completed massive for more than $500,000 to begin a We are pleased to announce that projects that are invisible to the eye, new phase of rehabilitation and uti- Suzanne L. Flynt, Curator of Memorial such as inserting steel girders beneath lization of our beautiful historic site. Hall Museum, Deerfield, Massachusetts, the Log House stairs and pouring new The current three-year strategic plan has been added to the roster of distin- concrete footings beneath the building is coming to an end and the organiza- guished speakers. A 1903 article in The to protect the Log House from sagging tion is beginning to craft a strategic Craftsman declared that “Deerfield is and shifting. We created an Education plan for the next three to five years. sending all over the country beautiful Room, ADA bathroom, ADA walk- The timing is right for a change. things...to bring back something of lost ways, and have many more projects poetry to the earth.” Flynt will deliver well underway. None of these things I have had the privilege to talk with the featured address, “Arts and Crafts in would have been possible without many of you about the pride you feel Old Deerfield,” which will consider the your membership support, donations, in our success, your dreams for this distinctive manifestation of the Arts and and enthusiasm for the work that site, and your dearest hopes for the Crafts movement in this Massachusetts takes place here every day. future of the Stickley Museum. You community and the talented group of, have placed your trust in the Board of often female, artisans who cultivated it. We have an outstanding staff in place Directors and the staff to fulfill those that will allow the Museum to contin- hopes and dreams. As my time as Flynt, who resides in Dummerston, ue with its high-quality educational executive director draws to a close I Vermont, recently authored Poetry to the focus that is now at the very heart of want to share with you my firm belief Earth: The Arts and Crafts Movement in everything we do. The Emerging that these dreams will continue to Deerfield to accompany the exhibition Scholars Symposium, Family Days, the come true. Skilled Hands and High Ideals: The Arts Stickley Design Invitational, Artist-in and Crafts Movement in Deerfield.Her Residence, and many other excellent As I leave my position of executive previous publication The Allen Sisters: programs are now regular parts of our director, I will remain as a friend and Pictorial Photographers 1885-1920 was awarded the Historic New England annual public offerings. The Mr. fellow member and donor. Craftsman Book Prize in 2002. Stickley series of exhibitions presented Farms is a beautiful and meaningful at the Annual Grove Park Inn Arts & historic site that I will always support The conference will end with a Question Crafts Conference and the ambitious and cherish. And I am heartened, and Answer session. Following the con- Syracuse University collaboration, knowing that I am leaving this unique ference, attendees may participate in an Styling an American Family,have treasure in the competent hands of optional group lunch at the nearby offered new scholarship in the field the talented and hardworking staff Tabor Road Tavern. and were sources of great pride. These members, and the caring and commit- are just the beginning of the programs ted Board of Trustees. It will be a time Taking place at the Stickley Museum and exhibitions that the Stickley of fresh new ideas and new accom- Saturday, October 5 , 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Museum will present in the future. plishments for the Stickley Museum. I $15 Member and $25 Non Member look forward to applauding all their $35 Optional lunch at Tabor Road Tavern Our many successfully partnerships future successes! call 973.540.0311, with prestigious institutions such as or visit StickleyMuseum.org Fall 2013 a Page 2 NOTES FROM THE FARMS FALL FAMILY DAY BLENDS EDUCATION AND FAMILY FUN! ummer’s end brings the return of Stickley Museum’s 7th Annual Fall Family Day. SSet for Saturday, September 21, this traditional fall festival celebrates harvest time and Craftsman Farms’ agricultural past. Fall Family Day is the museum’s biggest family program of the year, attracting hundreds of visitors, and we’re pleased to be partnering for a third time with local PBS affiliate WNET THIRTEEN’s Kids Club for this special afternoon. We are looking forward to welcoming young visitors of all ages to Craftsman Farms, and we’re especially eager to welcome our special guest Clifford the Big Red Dog, who will be stopping by compliments of Kids Club.