Notes from the Farms

NOTES FROM THE FARMS THE JOURNAL OF THE STICKLEY MUSEUM AT CRAFTSMAN FARMS The Stickley Weekend – October 13-14, 2018 From the he museum’s annual two-day Director’s Chair TStickley-extravaganza, The —Kristen McCauley Stickley Weekend, will be held Senior Manager of Education and Interpretation over Saturday and Sunday, Octo- ber 13-14. The Craftsman Gala, Senior Manager Kristen McCauley is taking a the weekend’s highlight and a guest turn in the Director’s Chair and sharing her combination formal party and vision of our new Education Center. (see pg. 3) family reunion, is the museum’s “You preserve the past by most important annual fund- raiser. It will be held on Saturday passing it on to present evening at the Mountain Lakes and future generations” Club at 6 p.m. The Gala will begin with a cock- s the Manager of Education and tail hour at sunset overlooking Interpretation, our new Educa- A beautiful Mountain Lake, fol- tion Center is, to put it mildly, a very lowed by a delicious dinner and exciting undertaking. For years, our education programs have been limited lively auctions, both silent and sentation will address the history and in what we can do, not by ideas or live. At the Gala, the museum will be legacy of American craft, using the living imagination, but by space. pleased to honor trailblazing collector history museum Old Sturbridge Village Robert A. Ellison Jr. who, beginning in I’ve always liked to “throw spaghetti as a focal point. Of her presentation, the early 1960s, assembled one of the at the wall and see what sticks.” Often Cathcart writes: most comprehensive, discerning and a lot of good spaghetti goes to waste significant collections of American art By recalling and mimicking pre-industrial this way. To be clear, I’m very proud techniques, costumed historians at Old of programs we’ve done thus far, but pottery. David Rago of Rago Arts and Auction Center will be our special guest, Sturbridge Village adhere to the simplicity, with the new center, we’ll be able application of honest construction, and the to make many more of these ideas joining us for the evening as auctioneer use of practical materials in an object’s ex- realities. And there is no shortage of for the live auction. ecution and final product. Through these ideas as to how we can use this new The weekend will kick off with the 8th methods of creation, this presentation will space to engage with our community, Annual Scholars Symposium at 10 a.m. better serve local families, and provide examine Old Sturbridge Village’s interpre- at the Stickley Museum at Craftsman tation of historic trades from 1946 to 2018 new and different ways of visiting and Farms. This program, established to exploring Craftsman Farms, making it through the lens of craft traditions and encourage serious and rigorous schol- influences from the early 19th century, the more accessible overall. I’m excited to arship related to the Arts and Crafts see what sticks! Arts and Crafts Movement, and the post- movement, annually includes a roster WWII generation. I’m a staunch advocate for bring- of distinguished and emerging scholars. ing kids to museums, especially to While this year’s speaker roster is still in The Symposium will culminate with a the Stickley Museum. I believe that formation, we are pleased to announce panel discussion featuring the authors early exposure to museums fosters a that Shelley Cathcart, associate curator of the forthcoming publication Ameri- curiosity that is necessary for children at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, can Art Pottery: The Robert A. Ellison Jr. to become lifelong learners. And, as MA, will be joining us. Cathcart’s pre- Collection at the Metropolitan Museum Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2 Summer 2018 Vol. 27, No. 3 Notes From The Farms

Director’s Chair continued from page 1 Stickley Weekend continued from page 1 we all know from Chaucer, “The lyf so short, of Art. The authors will highlight exciting new discoveries uncovered during the craft so long to lerne.” With Craftsman their extensive research. Distinguished panelists will include: Alice Cooney Farms, Gustav Stickley endeavored to provide Frelinghuysen, the Anthony W. and Lulu C. Wang Curator of American a childhood education that would “develop Decorative Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art; Dr. Martin Eidelberg, Pro- hands as well as heads” and give children the fessor Emeritus, Rutgers University; Adrienne Spinozzi, Assistant Research tools they would need to become effective and Curator of American Decorative Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art. contributing citizens of the world. With education at the heart of our mission, I believe On Sunday, the museum will hold its annual free Open House from 12 to 4 we are compelled, and will soon be far better p.m. and the museum shop will host a special event with distinguished Arts equipped, to take on this job. and Crafts printmaker, former artist-in-residence at the Stickley Museum at On all of our regular tours, we have a simple Craftsman Farms and Roycroft Master Artisan, Laura Wilder. The day will photo scavenger hunt available to children; begin with a special Members-only reception and sale, “Coffee and Craft an activity that follows along with the tour of with Laura Wilder” from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Log House and helps to focus looking. It’s Throughout the day, Wilder’s work will be featured in the education a simple way of engaging a younger visitor room, where she will be on hand to talk with visitors and share demon- and making the complex content of Stickley’s strations of her printmaking technique. We’ll also have an activity, devel- story easier to understand. A comfortable oped with Laura’s help, to encourage children (and adults too!) to give home, good design, usefulness, and a rever- printmaking a try. ence for nature — I’ll never underestimate kids’ ability to understand and yes, appreciate In the Log House, tours will be suspended for the day and visitors will be these ideas with a little help. invited to stroll through Stickley’s beautiful home at their own pace. Do- So what helps kids — with short attention cents will be on hand to answer questions and provide hourly spotlight talks spans, lack of prior knowledge and, depend- focused on craft and featuring the furniture, pottery, prints, and metals on ing on their ages, ability to read — engage view throughout the interior. with historic people, a historic house and We invite you to be part of The Stickley Weekend. Registration details all the ideas and themes therein? It takes are below or check our website, StickleyMuseum.org, for information interactive, hands-on experiences. It takes and updates. authentic objects and personal connections. Our photo scavenger hunt checks some of those boxes. The tour, of course, is entirely Stickley Weekend Events made up of authentic objects which hopeful- Saturday & Sunday, October 13-14 ly spark connections between life and design in the Log House with life and design in their Symposium own homes. I know it does for me. Saturday, October 13, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. But it’s hard to get hands-on when you can’t Member: $45 touch anything on tours (Sorry folks, that’s Non Member: $55 not changing). Student: $25 The Symposium fee includes a boxed lunch onsite at noon. Advance One hope I have for the new Education Cen- registration required at stickleymuseum.org or 973-540-0311. ter is that we can offer even more interactive and hands-on learning experiences for kids Craftsman Gala especially, but also for all of us kids-at-heart. Saturday, October 13, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Mountain Lakes Club It may be as simple as building blocks and Watch for your invitation in the mail. To sponsor or support the Lincoln Logs to demonstrate home building, Craftsman Gala, call 973-540-0311. or simple tools to demonstrate wood-work- ing. But so often I’ve found the simplest ideas MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Reception: “Coffee and Craft with Laura Wilder” can create the most meaningful experiences. Sunday, October 14, 11 a.m. to 12 noon And I think Stickley would agree. FREE Advance registration not required. In the immortal words spoken to Kevin Cost- ner in the 1989 movie, Field of Dreams, “If Open House in the Log House you build it, they will come.” I look forward Sunday, October 13, 12 to 4 p.m. to the day when we can open the doors of the FREE new Education Center to all of you. Just be Advance registration not required. sure to bring the kids or grandkids along!

Page 2 Summer 2018 Notes From The Farms

The New Education Center

Join us in Building the Future! The new Education Center at Craftsman Farms will prepare the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms to share Gustav Stickley's "Garden of Eden" with generations to come.

We invite you to join us in this effort. Your gift to the Education Center Campaign will help:

Rehabilitate an original 20th-century Stickley-era garage for 21st-century uses including a large, multi-functional program and event space with seating for 100; Construct a new storage facility to house Museum archives and collections, including books, periodicals, photographs and historic documents; Establish a beautiful new entrance to this American treasure and National Historic Landmark; Relocate the museum's shop and increase its visibility, making it a destination for local shoppers; Pave the way for restoration of the Log House kitchen. To learn more or to make a gift to the Education Center Campaign, call us at 973-540-0311 or return this form with your contribution. You can have an impact and help us build for the future!

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THE STICKLEY MUSEUM AT CSummerRAFTSMAN F ARMS2018 2352 ROUTE 10 WEST, PageMORRIS 3 PLAINS, NJ 07950 STICKLEYMUSEUM.ORG Notes From The Farms The Little Known Life of Eloise Roorbach:

ore than any other artist, Eloise from 1849 to 1869. An important leader not far from the residences of George’s MRoorbach is responsible for our in the Republican Party, Jenkins was parents and his brother Alfred. Their mental picture of The Craftsman. Be- closely associated with Abraham Lin- early years together were happy ones tween June of 1909 and October 1913, coln’s campaign manager, Senator David with many shared interests. George was she designed at least fifteen covers for Davis. The family was well-to-do, edu- a serious bicyclist, who cycled 110 miles magazine—more than any other de- cated, and cultured. Jenkins was eighteen in two days, and put more than 6,000 signer in the magazine’s entire history. years older than his wife, and did not live miles on his bike in a short time. Eloise At various times Roorbach worked for to see his children grow up. He passed soon shared his interest. On February Gustav Stickley as a sales clerk, exhibit away, at the age of 66, on November 15, 28, 1890, the bicycle journal, The Wheel attendant, writer, illustrator, designer, 1883, when Eloise was only fifteen. reported, “The interest in cycling among and garden editor for The Craftsman. ladies is awakening. ….Mrs. Eloise Ro- She also was a prolific writer and illus- The eldest of the Jenkins children, Rena, orbach, the artist, has learned (to ride) trator for many other publications over was described as “prominent in liter- …join(ing) the fortunate and sensible the course of a long and successful ca- ary circles” and a brilliant pianist. The pioneers in the delightful pastime.” As reer. And yet, for most of us, Roorbach’s youngest, Grace, was a professional vio- early as 1890, Eloise was already a known life remains a mystery. This two-part linist who toured with John Philip Sousa artist — and she was a lively, athletic, article attempts to piece together the life as a featured musician and soloist. Like modern woman. and person of Eloise Roorbach. her sisters, Eloise was also cultured and talented. She was a gifted writer, artist, In addition to cycling, the two artists She began life as Eloise Jenkins on April and musician. At the age of nineteen, she shared a delight in drawing the sur- 17, 1868, in Lincoln, Illinois. Her par- was hired as professor of drawing and rounding Connecticut landscape. In ents, John T. Jenkins and Hilda Amelia painting at Lincoln College. 1890, they combined some of their (Minnie) Spencer-Eads, raised five drawings into an affectionate memento children, Mary Lorena (nicknamed Eloise reportedly left her position at the booklet they called “Mystic Memories.” Rena), followed by Eloise, John, Lewis, college to further her own artistic studies Eloise became fully involved with the and Grace. Their father held the elected in New York City. While there, she cultural activities in the Mystic commu- position of the Logan County Clerk met and fell in love with an art teacher nity, including performing as first violin- named George Selden ist with the Mystic Connecticut Orches- Roorbach, from tra. George was active in the Connecticut DePere, Wisconsin. Branch of the Universal Peace Union at Eight years her senior, the Peace Temple in Mystic. Both George George was an ac- and Eloise were idealistic young people complished Hudson seeking a better world. River School landscape artist, whose Sometime around 1900 the couple left work was exhibited at Connecticut for Alameda, Califor- the National Acad- nia. The spiritual quest (evidenced by emy of Design in George’s active participation in the Mys- 1891. The couple was tic Peace Temple) may have motivated married at St. Mark’s the move. The 1900 Census for Alameda Episcopal Church, lists George S. Roorbach as living at the Mystic, Connecticut “Home of Truth” with an occupation of on August 24, 1889. “Divine Healer.” The 1900 census makes no mention of Eloise, implying she may Eloise and George have briefly stayed behind. However, it is Eloise with her violin on the far right, second row, in front of settled in Mystic clear both Eloise and George were inter- the cello, with other members of the 1893-1894 Season Mystic Bridge, Connecticut, Orchestra. Courtesy the Mystic River Historical Society. ested in the “New Thought” philosophies

Page 4 Summer 2018 Notes From The Farms

The Early Years — Heather Stivison

at an event there. Del Monte Art Gallery. Eloise had illus- Eloise was among trations and articles published and took only five women who art classes at the Mark Hopkins Institute. took part in a rustic She exhibited her artwork there in 1905. tented retreat led by We do not know what works were shown the Swami at Camp there because, in April 1906, the famous Irving (now a part San Francisco earthquake resulted in a of Samuel P. Taylor series of raging fires, destroying all of the State Park) in May Institute’s records. The Home of Truth 1900. George be- and all its contents were also destroyed came devoted to this in the fires. branch of Hinduism, and actually built Deeply moved by the disasters of the some of the cabins earthquake and fires, Eloise illustrated for the retreat center a cover for a special edition of Overland that was created in Monthly. She included a quote from The 1890 hand drawn cover of George and Eloise’s later years. 17th century playwrights Beaumont and “Mystic Memories” collection of drawings. Fletcher, “Calamity is man’s true touch- Courtesy the Indian and Colonial Research Center. The couple’s spiritu- stone,” in recognition of the courage and found in California. Eloise and George al quest was only a goodness of residents during that tragic were two of the 27 “teachers” during portion of living their California life to time. The Oakland Tribune would later the Home of Truth’s “Golden Years” the fullest. The Roorbachs soon built report about the Roorbachs, “The pair (1893-1918). a small bungalow in the mountains of lived together quite happily up to the neighboring Santa Cruz. Eloise wrote time of the earthquake and fire.” The Home of Truth was organized un- and illustrated a series of articles about der the idealistic goals of “physical, road trips in California based on their …to be continued in the winter edition mental, moral, and spiritual welfare personal adventures. Her love of hiking, of Notes From the Farms! and betterment of ourselves and of our nature, and adventure was also evident fellow men.” The founders observed, in her writings for the Girl Scout Hand- “…with the advent of the Industrial book. In it she described the rewards of Revolution and Women’s Suffrage, the mountain climbing as seeing “moun- idea of a patriarchal God was becoming tain peaks like waves of the sea flashing inappropriate, especially to women …. with white snow foam, piercing the blue (and) the movement was an organic re- sky as far as the eye can reach; clouds sponse to an outer-directed, male-dom- forming below her feet,” breathing “rare inated concept of God and society.” air,” drinking “from the pure source of About the Author: rivers,” and hearing “the mighty roar of Heather Stivison is the former In 1893, one of the founders, Annie Rix waterfalls.” Contemporary author Ste- executive director of the Stickley Militz, attended the World Parliament phen Brennan acknowledged Roorbach Museum at Craftsman Farms. on Religion in Chicago. While there, as an adventurous role model in his This two-part article is excerpt- she met the Swami Vivekananda, who book, The Adventurous Girl’s Handbook, was introducing Hinduism to America. depicting her as an athlete, hiker, and ed from her biography of Eloise Impressed by what she heard, Militz mountain-climbing naturalist. Roorbach to be released in 2019. brought his ideas back to Alameda. The The research is generously fund- Swami was invited to, and later visited, The couple continued expanding their ed by a grant from the Arts & the Alameda Home of Truth. The Roor- art careers. George joined the Carmel Craft Research Fund. bachs were inspired when they met him Art Colony and exhibited his work in the

Summer 2018 Page 5 Notes From The Farms Recent Memberships March 23, 2018 to June 26, 2018 We extend a warm thank you to the following members who joined or renewed their membership during the past few months.

Sponsor Wendy and Lance Schall Amparo and Mitchell Codding Victoria and David Vinson pecial hanks Lynn M. and Stanley Leeb Jan Vleck and Kathleen Peppard S T Cynthia and Timothy McGinn Ginger Haselden and Barbara A. Weiskittel Jim Weyhenmeyer Tribute Gifts: Wanece N. and Conrad Witte (March 27 to June 26, 2018) Patron We are grateful for gifts to the Amy Stahl ndividual I Education Fund in memory of Donald C. Denise O. Holmes Elizabeth A. Acosta-Lewis Stahl, MD from: Jill Thomas-Clark Barbie Asplundh JoAnn and Paul Young Marilyn Blacher-Reich Sheila and Richard Gottardi Barbara Bogle Exxon Mobil Foundation – Friend Lee Braem Matching Gifts Program Dawn Hopkins and Michael Adams Jane Byron We are grateful for gifts in memory of Vonda and Allen Breed Linda Miller Calandra Donald C. Stahl, MD from: Mark W. Davis Steven Gross Aurora Health Care Katieanne M. Harrison Maggi and David Gordon Catherine J. Mathis and Michael Hingston Robert C. Burchell Margaret and Hugh Huntzinger Marjorie Hulstrunk Cynthia and Timothy McGinn Lisa and Kevin Kobus Louis Munoz Jr. Vonda Givens and Wes Sherman Mary and Thomas Menard Robert W. Posch Steve Michalec Barbara Rhines Mark E. Weaver Anne and Sara Miller Paula Scerbo Martha and Gerald Weinstein Joanne Wilson Astrid Tvetenstrand We are grateful for a gift in memory of SMB Weber Cara Corbo from: Dual / Family Jack White Monique and Gregg Siebert Susann and James Cadmus Students and Seniors Mark Charnet Bruce A. Bristow ifts to the Lynne and Audel Davis Barbara F. Cardinale G John Forand and Michael Norrie Dean Edward Cartier Collection: Virginia and Stanley Hirschi Bobbi Cox We are grateful for recent gifts from: Marie Della Pella Dan Pilone Doreen and James Hurley Dawn Domans Richard Kulesa II Robert Gerrits Jill Thomas-Clark Karen A. and Gregg C. Kurlander Cecil Glassman Michelle LaConto-Munn and Frances D. Hagan Gifts In Kind: Eric Munn Carol D. Hamilton We are grateful for recent gifts from: David E. Jones Doug Cleary and Abby Meth Kanter Pete Mars Maren Lawson-Cleary Jane W. Katzenberger Jim Pruznick Mary-Ann and Thomas Mac Ewen Geri Lane Susie Traverso Peter Mars and Mike Dawson Ann Malin Rick Mason Pamela Martin Cleota Reed Ann G. and David R. McCann Institutional Sylvia Rubens Kenilworth Public Library Jennifer and Robert Montana Chester Library Sue Schlesinger Mahwah Public Library Kristine Steensma Cliffside Park Public Library Denise and Timothy O’Rourke Montville Township Peter Steensma East Brunswick Public Library Julia and Robert Peterson Public Library Stephen Walsh Free Public Library of the The Rose Family Parsippany-Troy Hills Synnove Wekilsky Borough of Florham Park Public Library Susan and Mike Santoski Michael Whitt Glen Ridge Public Library

Page 6 Summer 2018 Notes From The Farms

Collection Piece Travels to West Coast for Exhibit at SFMOMA

he Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is proud to participate Tin the upcoming exhibit, “Donald Judd: Specific Furniture,” to be held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from July 14 through November 4, 2018.

The museum will be loaning its Gustav Stickley #208 Settle, a gift received from Stephen and Judith Wiley in 2010 to help furnish the North Cottage at Craftsman Farms. SFMOMA’s exhibit will focus both on Judd’s own furniture designs as well as iconic works by Alvar Aalto, Gerrit Rietveld, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Rudolph Schin- dler, among others, which greatly impacted Judd’s collecting interests and artistic endeavors.

The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms would like to extend its thanks to Joseph Becker, Associate Curator, and Anna Lau, Assistant Registrar, of the Architecture + Design Department at SFMOMA, for their assistance in helping to make this loan possible.

For more information on the exhibit or SFMOMA, please visit: 2018 Farms AField: Bay Area Adventure attendees https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/donald-judd-specific-furniture/ at the Thorsen House in Berkeley, CA.

Farms Afield: Rose Valley Friday, September 28 ose Valley, RPennsylvania, the Arts and Crafts community modeled after the utopian English village described by William Morris in News from Nowhere, was founded in 1901 by the architect William Lightfoot Price. His town plan embraced communal open space and their community motto of “You are welcome hither” encouraged people to Thunderbird Lodge in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania interact with their neighbors. Today Rose Valley is a tightly clustered group of homes with hidden lanes and private drives tucked away from the main roads — a true Arts & Crafts hidden treasure!

Save the date! And join us to experience this charming utopian community, including the iconic Thunderbird Lodge, the studio house of Alice and Charles Stevens, first-hand! Bring your walking shoes —Rose Valley is best experienced on foot. Friday, September 28, 2018 Member Exclusive! More information and fees for the trip coming soon! Visit StickleyMuseum.org for the latest information.

Summer 2018 Page 7 Visiting Craftsman Farms Museum Tour Schedule The Stickley Hours: Craftsman Farms is located at Thursday through Sunday, year-round Museum at 2352 Route 10 West Tours depart hourly 12:15 to 3:15 p.m. Morris Plains, New Jersey 07950 Craftsman Group Tours available by reservation. Farms is committed to The entrance is located on Route 10 Call 973.540.0311 West at Manor Lane, about 3 miles assuring that all individuals west of I-287 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, Museum Shop Hours can participate in our New Jersey (mailing address is Morris Thursday through Sunday Noon to 4 p.m. programs. If you require the Plains). Driving directions are available use of assistive listening at StickleyMuseum.org. Contact Us Voice: 973.540.0311 devices or other special Free to members and children under 2 Fax: 973.540.1167 Adults: $10; Seniors & Students $7 assistance please call at least Email: [email protected] two weeks in advance. Closed on Major Holidays. Web: StickleyMuseum.org Craftsman Farms, the former home of noted designer Gustav Stickley, is owned by the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills and is operated by The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Inc., (“SMCF”) (formerly known as The Craftsman Farms Foundation, Inc.). SMCF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of New Jersey. Restoration of the National Historic Landmark, Craftsman Farms, is made possible, in part, by a Save America’s Treasures Grant administered by the National Parks Service, Department of the Interior, and by support from Morris County Preservation Trust, The New Jersey Historic Trust, and individual members. SMCF received an operating grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission. SMCF gratefully acknowledges a grant from the New Jersey Cultural Trust. Educational programs are funded, in part, by grants from the Arts & Crafts Research Fund.

The Stickley Weekend, October 13-14 October Weekend, Stickley The

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