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NOTES FROM THE FARMS THE JOURNAL OF THE CRAFTSMAN FARMS FOUNDATION FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR SAVE THE STONE PIERS! —Heather E. Stivison f you have visited Craftsman Farms and trailing vines and the natural forms Ilately, you will know that we have of the stones harmonized perfectly with made great strides in restoring the build- the surrounding landscape. DREAMING THOSE ings and beautifying the grounds. In the past five years alone we have raised over They have had very little maintenance BIG DREAMS $1 million to protect this unique place since those days. And now, more than a in history. Significant restoration of the hundred years later, they look aban- n the early spring of 2007 I found Log House interior, rehabilitation of the doned and unloved. Recent storms have Imyself considering a position at Annex (now the Education Building) badly damaged the already deteriorating Craftsman Farms. Accepting it would and the North Cottage are just a few of piers and now water makes its way mean leaving a place where I had been the many projects that have taken place between the joints with every rainfall. for a decade, so this was not a decision here in recent years. Time is of the essence to save these I could take lightly. As I considered piers and maintain the authenticity of the offer, my usual yellow legal pad As we begin the next phase of returning Craftsman Farms. with columns listing pros and cons Craftsman Farms to its original beauty, didn't quite work. On paper there we have turned our eyes toward the A detailed restoration plan has been were other opportunities that looked stone piers that once marked a walkway developed to rebuild the piers to their grander and that certainly paid more. in front of the Log House. These his- Stickley-era appearance. Developed What was it about Craftsman Farms toric piers were built from large stones within the guidelines of the Museum’s that kept calling to me? dug on the property during the building Historic Site Master Plan, it meets or of Craftsman Farms. In Stickley’s day exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s Craftsman Farms was saved from the piers were planted out with flowers destruction by individuals who had Continued on page 2 little or nothing to gain from their Farms Foundation, Inc. Photo from the archives of Craftsman actions. They became vocal advocates of preserving the site simply because they believed in it. And because they had big dreams. Having big dreams and believing in them resonated with me. One of my favorite quotes comes from Eleanor Roosevelt, who said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Continued on page 2 The stone piers and walkway as they looked in Stickley’s day. Spring 2013 a Vol. 22, No. 1 NOTES FROM THE FARMS Director’s Chair continued from page 1 Stone Piers continued... FARMS AFIELD TRIP TO Photo courtesy Brian Bosenberg I knew that if I worked at Craftsman Standards for Farms, I'd be surrounded by other indi- EXPLORE THE 1913 Historic viduals who truly believe in the beauty Preservation of their dreams. ARMORY SHOW Projects. Each pier will Well, you all know what happened. he Craftsman Building, Stickley’s be carefully Here I am, six years later, still dreaming Tmulti-story department store and disassembled, big dreams of what this national treas- restaurant in New York City, opened to each stone ure can become. Doing things right is the public in 1913. This significant numbered paramount. Mediocrity is just not an event was contemporaneous with anoth- and each option. er momentous New York City event, the one’s original location noted on a map opening of The International Exhibition of the pier’s construction. Sturdy below Colin Powell offered a sober reminder of Modern Art, better known today as ground construction and interior about dreams when he said, The Armory Show. The Montclair Art drainage will be installed so that the Museum’s exciting new exhibition The piers can withstand the elements. The “A dream doesn't become reality New Spirit: American Art in the Armory piers will then be carefully rebuilt plac- through magic; it takes sweat, deter- Show, 1913 attempts to replicate various ing each original stone back to its origi- mination and hard work.” aspects of the original installation, and nal location. Using the stones that were is the first to spotlight the contributions dug on the property more than 100 And we have had no magic wand. In of American artists. You are invited to years ago and placing them exactly as fact, we’ve faced tremendous obstacles learn about this groundbreaking and they were when Gustav Stickley lived as we our dreams have led us into controversial show with a private tour here will maintain the treasured uncharted land. But we can be incredi- led by the Museum’s chief curator Dr. authenticity of Craftsman Farms. bly proud of the sweat, determination Gail Stavitsky. and hard work that has brought us this Now we need your help to make these far — and that will see us through to Taking place on Friday, May 31 at 10:15 plans a reality. We invite you to visit the full realization of our dreams. a.m., our exclusive tour will be limited StickleyMuseum.org to see the photos to only 25 participants. Please register and drawings of this project. If you A lot has happened in the past six years. early for this unique opportunity. would like to be part of the solution, Back in 2007 we had quirky hours and you can make a donation of any amount were closed entirely four-and-a-half Meet at the Montclair Art Museum at to the project on our website, by phone, months each year. Beginning this 10:15. Transportation is not provided. or by mail. Or, if you prefer, you can spring, we will be open four days a The fee is for the private curator’s tour make a donation of any size that will be week, year-round. only. Participants will be provided with used wherever the need is greatest. a list of nearby destinations for lunch. Either way, you will make an impact on Since 2007 we’ve also raised over $3.5 the future of this National Historic million for restoration, operations, and Landmark! education. We’ve made the site signifi- cantly more beautiful and more friendly and welcoming to visitors. We’ve become more relevant to the communi- ty, to tourists, to scholars, to children, and to collectors. We’ve seen attendance increase more than 400%. We still have challenges ahead, but our Farms Afield Curator’s Talk path is clearer and our potential for at the Montclair Art Museum success greater still. The Board of Friday, May 31, 10:15 a.m. Trustees will be meeting this year to $25 Members develop the next long-range plan for the $30 Non Member Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. To register or for more information, call 973.540.0311 Stay tuned for great things! or visit StickleyMuseum.org. Reconstructed pier drawing not to scale. Spring 2013 a Page 2 NOTES FROM THE FARMS RE-EXAMINING THE ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT The Influence of Material Things n the late spring, Dr. Jonathan Clancy will lead a thought- Iprovoking 2-session course at the Stickley Museum. About the Entitled The Influence of Material Things: Re-Examining the Instructor: Arts and Crafts Movement, this course, to be held on Dr. Jonathan Clancy Saturdays April 20 and May 4 from 10:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., is Director of the will explore how the philosophy of Arts and Crafts was American Fine and expressed in objects made by the movement's leaders. Decorative Art Programme at The Museum is pleased to welcome back Dr. Clancy, an Sotheby’s Institute of engaging and entertaining lecturer, who is integrally involved Art in New York. A with our annual Emerging Scholars Symposium. Dr. Clancy's frequent lecturer at previous course at the museum sold out quickly. This new the Stickley Museum offering is an ideal beginning point for new members, Clancy was also a potential collectors and anyone interested in decorating in featured speaker at the Craftsman Style. It will offer a broad and deep survey of the 2010 Grove Park Inn Arts and Crafts Conference. His Arts and Crafts objects and philosophy. publications include Beauty in Common Things: American Art and Crafts Pottery from the Two Red Roses Foundation As an article entitled “The Influence of Material Things” (with Martin Eidelberg), Warman’s Rookwood Pottery, as from The Craftsman (January 1902) stated: “In choosing well as chapters in Frans Wildenhain 1950-75: Creative and things which we are to have constantly about us, we should Commercial American Ceramics at Mid-Century (2012), subject them to as rigorous an examination as we do those and Art and Authenticity (2012). His articles have persons whom it is our purpose to make friends. In both appeared in numerous journals including The Journal of cases, certain moral and agreeable qualities should be requi- Modern Craft (London), The Journal of Design History, and sites for admission to our heart and home.” the Smithsonian’s American Art among others. Clancy received his doctorate in art history from the City During this course, Clancy will examine how the philosophy University of New York’s Graduate Center in 2008 and is of Arts and Crafts impacted designs for living and the home. currently finishing work on a catalog of the Redwood While Stickley’s magazine maintained that “The Artistic is Painting Collection in Newport, Rhode Island.