NOTES FROM THE FARMS THE JOURNAL OF THE STICKLEY MUSEUM AT CRAFTSMAN FARMS Symposium Launches From the Director’s Chair Crafting the Future Weekend —Vonda K. Givens he 5th Annual Emerging Scholars TSymposium, a partnership with version of Craftsman style the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Ameri- A has taken hold in my north- can Fine and Decorative Art Program, ern NJ neighborhood. I’ve spot- will be held on Saturday, October 17, ted Craftsman-like doors and kicking off the Stickley Museum’s details on just about every new Crafting the Future Weekend. The Sym- or newly-renovated home. posium seeks to support and encour- age Arts and Crafts-related scholarship, I’ve also noticed that the aisle for and each year it features presentations exterior lighting at my big-box by a select group of up-and-coming DIY store includes a “Crafts- graduate (and recently graduated) man-style” fixture alongside the scholars from universities around the requisite traditional, modern and country. This year’s presentations will country versions. address the theme: “The Past as Pres- ent and Future: New Perspectives on Granted, these faux Craftsman Historicism and Craft.” designs are just that—imitations, a mere shadow of the real Stick- Glenn Adamson, Director of the Muse- ley—and almost certainly some- um of Arts and Design (MAD), will be thing Stickley himself would the Symposium’s keynote speaker and Keynote Speaker Glenn Adamson have despised, but I’m fascinated Amy Stahl Memorial lecturer. In his by this elevation (or demotion?) lecture, entitled “Reinventing Craft,” Paradise in California, co-authored by of Craftsman to a standard Adamson will speak to the current Bosley, Anne Mallek, Ann Scheid and big-box store style. In fact I’m programming at MAD, which demon- Robert Winter. Mallek will be on hand fascinated by all “bits and pieces” strates the ways that traditional skills for a book signing on Sunday. of the Arts and Crafts aesthetic and historical decorative arts are being that pop up in my daily life. reshaped by contemporary makers. In Crafting the Future Weekend, October addition to examining specific exhibi- 17-18, includes Saturday evening’s In the audiobook, In the Bleak tions, he will discuss his overall vision Crafting the Future Gala and an Open Midwinter, which I just pur- for the museum. House at Craftsman Farms, featuring chased for morning runs, the the new Log House exhibition Live, author indicates the personality We’ll also be joined by special guest Ted Play, Eat on Sunday. Be sure to stop by traits of characters through their Bosley, Director of the Gamble House, the book signing from 12:30-2:30 p.m. home décor. I’m delighted to who will introduce the beautiful new on the Log House porch and a Members report that the décor associated book The Gamble House: Building Only Sale from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. with the book’s two heroic main Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2 Summer 2015 Vol. 24, No. 2 Notes From The Farms Notes From The Farms

Director’s Chair continued from page 1 Symposium continued from page 1 Ulysses Grant Dietz to be Honored at Gala characters features carefully-described Craftsman details. Every hero Glenn Adamson is the Nanette L. Lait- lysses Grant Dietz, Chief Curator and Curator of Decora- should have a Morris chair! man Director of the Museum of Arts Utive Arts at The Newark Museum, will be honored at this and Design (MAD) in , year’s Crafting the Future Gala. We spoke with Ulysses to learn More surprising was a Facebook discovery of a charming video called and has led the institution to the more about his involvement with The Stickley Museum at “The Value of Handwork,” featuring my Goddaughter and produced exploration of new territory in proj- Craftsman Farms. by her school, Philip’s Academy in Newark, NJ. It spotlights the ects such as NYC Makers: The MAD school’s commitment to teaching handwork, specifically crocheting Biennial, Richard Estes: Painting New You have been an advocate for Craftsman Farms since its incep- and knitting, for its multi-faceted benefits to learning. Please do me York City, and Ralph Pucci: The Art of tion as an historic site. How did you first learn about Crafts- a favor and check it out: https://vimeo.com/129444745 . You won’t the Mannequin. He was, until Autumn man Farms? regret it. 2013, Head of Research at the V&A, where he was active as a curator, his- Someone brought me out to Craftsman Farms in 1987, at the The museum’s 2015 theme is “Crafting the Future.” After 2014’s year- torian and theorist. His publications point when there was debate about what to do with the prop- long 25th anniversary celebration, it seemed right to devote this year include Thinking Through Craft (2007), erty. I had never heard of Craftsman Farms before, but, of to looking ahead. But how exactly do we craft the future? The Craft Reader (2010), Postmodern- course, being from Syracuse, I knew of Stickley. Ben Wiles ism: Style and Subversion 1970 to 1990 (’s grandson) was a good friend of my family’s. I’m convinced that it means placing one foot firmly on the founda- (2011), Invention of Craft (2013), and So, all of a sudden, had one of the most important tion of the past, with a solid grasp of Stickley’s ideals and vision for the forthcoming Art in the Making: landmarks. The issue really spoke to a number of my inter- Craftsman Farms, and the other foot in our current world. The “bits Process and Production since the 1950s, ests—New Jersey, historic preservation, the art pottery move- and pieces” of Arts and Crafts that pop up today may surprise and from Thames and Hudson. ment. I wrote a letter to The New York Times, the first time I charm us. Or they may frustrate us as mere imitations or trifles, espe- had ever done so, suggesting that the Farnys should donate the cially when Craftsman or the name Stickley is used indiscriminately. Emerging Scholars Symposium house and property and preserve Stickley’s legacy. And I have They may seem to evoke a present day Arts and Crafts movement, Saturday, October 17 been a cheerleader for the Farms ever since! without reference to the movement at all. Whatever they are, whatever 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. they evoke, I’m convinced that these “bits and pieces” do represent Symposium Only The exhibition Gustav Stickley and the American Arts and facets of the authentic legacy of the Arts and Crafts movement. It is $20 Member Crafts Movement, organized by the Dallas Museum of Art and Ulysses Dietz the museum’s job to claim them and tether them back to the met- $25 Non Member curated by Kevin Tucker, opened at The Newark Museum in Gala Honoree aphorical and literal foundation of Craftsman Farms. It’s what our Symposium with Lunch Fall 2010. During the course of the exhibition, you really helped mission calls us to do. $55 Member raise Craftsman Farms’ visibility with a range of cross-promo- $60 Non Member tions. This was truly a pivotal moment for the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. For me, “Crafting the Future,” among other things, means launch- (Lunch is off-site at a nearby restau- ing new exhibitions inside the Log House, which freshly illuminate rant.) Craftsman Farms had come a long way by then. The exhibition focused on Stickley and his life as a furniture maker, Stickley’s masterpiece. Our upcoming exhibition Live, Play, Eat will and, as it happened, the single greatest work of his life was in New Jersey—Craftsman Farms. I wanted to enhance our explore Stickley’s design commitment to beautiful and functional To register, call 973.540.0311 or exhibition and deepen the visitor experience by cross-promoting the Farms and the New Jersey connection. I worked table forms. (For more, see page 4). In the aisle of a big box store, visit StickleyMuseum.org. closely with Vonda and Heather to coordinate visits between the two museums and we had a fabulous closing party at Craftsman style may seem like just another “look” for your home, but the end of the exhibition, which was also a members’ event for Craftsman Farms. That was the first closing party The real Craftsman style is about thoughtful, honest construction, driven Newark Museum ever held, and it was a great success. by utility. Real Craftsman style enhances your life not just your home. That’s the message we must share. It’s Official In another interesting connection, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen is serving as the Honorary Chair for this year’s We’ve got a new name. Though you Gala. He is the great-great-great-grandson of Peter Ballantine, the founder of Ballantine Brewery. Can you speak to The “Crafting the Future” means demonstrating a commitment to future may already know us as The Stickley Newark Museum’s Ballantine House as a template for historic house restoration and interpretation? Arts and Crafts scholarship by hosting the Emerging Scholars Sympo- Museum at Craftsman Farms, it was sium, now in its 5th year. See the cover story. not this organization’s formal name, Many historic house museums struggle to be interesting and relevant. I do feel attached to Craftsman Farms because until now. The Board of Trustees has they have done an amazing job with this. Both Ballantine House and Craftsman Farms are successful models in that By the way, when I called Philip’s Academy to ask permission to share approved the adoption of the name they are about community and context and not about enshrining individuals. Both focus on universal themes and the their video with all of you, I invited their students to add embroi- for which we’ve popularly become moment and that is what makes them interesting for people. Stickley represents an era, and Craftsman Farms interprets dery to their handwork skills by learning with the Stickley Museum’s known. We’ll be making this transition that era, not just the Stickley Family. teachers. “No charge,” I said. “Please come here or we’ll come to you.” in publications in the coming months, I hope they take me up on the offer. I’d love to introduce these young beginning with this edition of Notes Please join us as we honor Ulysses Grant Dietz at the Crafting the Future Gala on October 17. For more information, artisans to Stickley. It’s what “Crafting the Future” is all about. from the Farms. visit our website, StickleyMuseum.org.

Page 2 Summer 2015 Summer 2015 Page 3 Notes From The Farms Notes From The Farms

Live, Play, Eat: Around the Table at Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman Farms — Peter Mars

r. Stickley’s table designs em- the sinking of the largest ocean lin- um’s recently acquired 1914 Edison wife” was critical to a man’s stand- young ladies were expected to know Come experience this re-interpreta- Mbrace the simplicity of what ers ever built; the beginning and end Amberola wax cylinder player, a gift ing in his community and business a great deal about sewing, fashion, tion of the Log House as we celebrate a table is: a sturdy surface raised of a war that tore apart the world’s from the National Electronics Muse- relations. To entertain guests of decorating and leisure pursuits. The the ways Mr. Stickley’s table designs above the floor to hold the objects most powerful nations; the conclu- um in Baltimore, Maryland. importance, tea was planned. Hav- tables in the Stickley girls’ bedroom enhanced daily life a century ago. necessary for work, sustenance or sion of child labor in the United ing guests for tea could be as simple will be work surfaces for activities The exhibition will be on view during play. Though history has raised Mr. States as well as women gaining the The most efficient and popular as offering mid-afternoon tea and essential to the full development of regularly scheduled tours, Septem- Stickley’s table designs to the level of right to vote, and an unknown Babe source of entertainment was a cake in the parlor or as elaborate a young lady, such as refashioning ber 5, 2015 through March 6, 2016. art, his Craftsman Workshops tables Ruth joining the major leagues. The simple deck of cards, from which as a light afternoon meal hosted at an outdated dress, mending socks, In-depth curator tours are available were intended for long, useful lives. Stickleys learned of these events in dozens of games could be played. a fully set dining table (afternoon embroidering table linens, learning monthly beginning in September. Crafted for purposes both general print from the publications on the However, one’s religious or moral tea). Fare could include finger a musical instrument and docu- and specific, they were designed to library table in their grand living leanings might have placed play- sandwiches of buttered breads with menting life in a scrapbook. Join us on Saturday, October 3, for a be beautiful and useful, and built to room. ing cards into a questionable light vegetables like cress and cucumbers, full day spotlighting Stickley table last as long as the wood they were because of their association with “salad” sandwiches of egg or salm- The hand-hammered brass hood of design with Executive Director Vonda made of. gambling and on and meat spreads such as pâté. the master bedroom fireplace reads, Givens’ lecture On the Table and the fact that The meal was finished with dessert “A world of strife shut out and a curator Pete Mars’ Under the Table The new exhibi- face cards offerings of cookies, tarts and cakes. world of love shut in.” These last design tours. tion Live, Play, evolved from Afternoon tea was becoming quite three lines of Dora Greenwell’s 1879 Eat: Around the fortune-telling fashionable during the Stickley’s poem, “Home,” are a perfect encap- Saturday, October 3 Table at Gus- cards. Game time at Craftsman Farms. sulation of Mr. Stickley’s philosophy Under the Table Tour tav Stickley’s inventors like of home life. In this room, the most 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Craftsman Farms Milton Brad- The local paper, The Jerseyman, private in the Log House, we’ll see $5 Member celebrates Mr. ley, Parker chronicled the Stickley’s social Mr. Stickley’s retreat, with items of $12 Non Member Stickley’s tables Bros., and outings and the wonderful parties comfort close at hand: a commo- On the Table Lecture by offering a Selchow and thrown at Craftsman Farms. Mr. dious Eastwood chair, a well-used 6:00 p.m. glimpse into daily Righter devel- Stickley built a handsome set of oak tweed jacket hanging on a costum- Free to Members life a century ago, oped numer- sawhorses with keyed tenon joints to er, a worn pipe with a hammered $10 Non Member highlighting the ous card decks use as temporary table bases when copper ashtray and copies of Mr. interests, passions that cleverly entertaining. As evidenced by her Stickley’s magazine, The Craftsman To register, call 973.540.0311 or and obligations of steered clear of personal scrapbook, teenager Mar- set on tabletops within easy reach. visit StickleyMuseum.org. early 20th century moral objec- ion Stickley attended many parties, middle-class life, tions. One dances and social functions. In May as shown upon of the most 1910, she went to a Comet Dance, About the Author: tables, the places where we live, play Though leisure time was scarce for popular and enduring alternative which was themed on the passing and eat. most in the 1910s, much daily work card decks is Rook. Introduced in of Halley’s comet three weeks prior. Exhibition curator Peter Mars is a ceased with nightfall. The center 1904, Rook was designed without Her dance card from that evening furniture/home product designer and Before the emergence of radio in the of the Log House living room, face cards so it could be marketed was in the shape of a stylized comet, educator with over 25 years in the field, including stints at Parson’s School of 1920’s, people learned of the news furnished with a large green-dyed to religious communities while still with a star-shaped head and conical Design and Martha Stewart Living by word of mouth and print me- elm partners’ table and the nearby gaining tremendous popularity with tail on which her dance partners Omnimedia. Currently Vice-President dia. A library table, like the Stickley upright piano, would have been a the general public. Several examples wrote their names. We will re-imag- of the Board of Trustees of the Stickley family’s leather-topped hexagonal wonderful family leisure spot for of period card game decks will be ine Marion’s Comet Dance with a Museum at Craftsman Farms (SMCF), No. 410-L, was the place to find the games, readings and sing-alongs. on view. party scene and refreshment table chair of the Education Committee newest newspapers, magazines and The partners’ table gives us a chance made of the ingenious oak sawhors- and lead volunteer trainer, he has also books before they were carefully put to look at the popularity of board The dining table will be set for after- es Mr. Stickley built for events at developed special interest tours for the away, cut up for scrapbooks or used games, novels, activity books, noon tea to demonstrate the social Craftsman Farms. museum including Mr. Stickley’s Style: Beauty, Harmony & Simplicity and to line the waste bin. The 1910s wit- stereo-optic viewers and recorded obligations expected of an ear- authored essays and full catalogs for the museum’s exhibitions. nessed unheard-of-events, such as music. We will debut the muse- ly-twentieth-century wife. A “good In training for future married life, Page 4 Summer 2015 Summer 2015 Page 5 Notes From The Farms Notes From The Farms In Honor and In Memory: The Power of a Tribute Gift Special Recent Memberships March 16, 2015 to June 15, 2015 onations to the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms fuel our daily activities and support restoration, pres- We extend a warm thank you to the following members who joined or renewed Dervation and education. But donations in honor or in memory of someone do even more – these gifts have a Thanks their membership during the past few months. powerful impact on the honoree and their loved ones while providing critical support to the Museum. Karen and Robert Hannan Sponsor Virginia and Stanley Hirschi When you make a tribute gift, we will send your honoree (or the honoree’s family) a beautiful, personalized card n emory I M : Suzanne R. Jones Michelle LaConto-Munn and Eric Munn informing them of your contribution. Tribute gifts are 100% tax-deductible and make an enormous difference to We are grateful for gifts in memory of: Lynn M. and Stanley Leeb Jeanne Longo and John Creamer our ability to fulfill our mission each and every day. Stephen Jones Cynthia and Timothy McGinn Kathy and John Marinovich from Barbara A. Weiskittel Catherine J. Mathis George Meyer To make a tribute gift, call us at 973.540.0311 or visit StickleyMuseum.org. Thank you for enhancing the power of Nancy and Davey L. Willans Lucille and Anthony Perrone your donation! and Robert C. Burchell Susan and Frank Finkenberg Jan and Robert Price Cynthia and Steve Prine Martha and Gerry Weinstein Patron Nancy and Davey L. Willans. Toni and Steven Rauschkolb Dianne Ayres and Tim Hansen Richard Rockwell and Rodolfo Cao Paving the way…. Susan Devenish-Meares The Rose Family

Photo by Ray Stubblebine Susan and Frank Finkenberg he Ruth Cruess Glesmann Memorial Walkway leads the way to the ifts to the ollection Gemma and John Russell G C : Sheila and Richard Gottardi Ruby and Jay Sexton Museum’s Education Room which hosts a multitude of activities We are grateful for recent gifts from: T Barbara N. Fuldner; Joseph Jannarone, Jr. Helen and Elliot Spieler throughout the year. The walkway is lined with beautiful pavers which Carolann Steere Mark E. Weaver. JoAnn and Paul Young memorialize, honor and document the dedication and love shared by so Rosemary and Robert Steinbaum many people for Craftsman Farms. These personalized pavers enhance our Gail Stock and Arlene Burkowski landscape and will be a permanent part of the Museum’s property. Friend Patricia and William Thornton Gifts to the Archives: A. P. Bartinique and Jeffrey Preston Susie and Andres Traverso We are grateful for a recent gift from: Why not add your special message or the name of a loved one to the walk- Julie and Tim Bensley Victoria and David Vinson Evelyn Farny Wadkins. way? Pavers in two sizes (12 x 12 and 4 x 8) are still available and can be Vonda and Allen Breed Jan Vleck and Kathleen Peppard Sharon and Ben Wiles purchased for $1,000 and $500 respectively. We are able to offer payment Mark W. Davis Laura Wiles and Jake Swearingen plans for pavers and, of course, your personal message will be engraved on Frank M. Glapa Gifts In Kind: Jean F. and Charles Gorham Wanece N. and Conrad Witte the paver you choose. We are grateful for recent gifts from: Christine and Stephen G. Kaiser Peter K. Mars; Students and Seniors Wendy E. Livingston Sandra K. Arthur Members, local residents, employees, volunteers and Stickley family mem- Anne Miller; Jack P. Burwell Anne Millmore; Mary B. McWilliams bers are among those who have chosen to generously support the Museum Lisa and Stephen Santini Catherine Clare by purchasing a paver. Take your place on the Walkway by purchasing a Mark Palkovic; Dawn Domans Nancy Willans. Jill Souter Charles W. Galliker paver today. Call us for details or visit StickleyMuseum.org. Jan S. Wells, Ph.D. Theresa Garnier Elizabeth R. and Thomas J. Wyka Marlene Jacobs Deane A. Keller Yes, i want to claim a permanent place in Craftsman Farms history with an engraved paving stone! Margaret Kelly I would like to purchase the following size: ___ 12 x 12 (4 lines, 15 letters per line) $1,000 ___ 4 x 8 (2 lines, 15 letters per line) $500 Individual Dual / Family Ronda and Stanley Kron Kate Casella John McCullam Stephen Lowe Billing Information: Choose all that apply: Karen and David Anderson Jacqueline McGlade Marvin Clawson Steve Michalec Name ______I have attached the wording on a separate paper. Steve Aripotch and Bruce Jones Richard Tavelli Larry Coakley Stephen Platt ___ I have enclosed a check for payment in full. William D. Barnett and Bernard Simbari Janice Vicine Address ______Michael Ferris Sarah Rose Janet Bunde and John Kelly Charles Whitehead ___ Please charge my credit card for payment in full. Frank M. Glapa Sylvia Rubens Velma Williams-Gates Lynne and Audel Davis City ______State _____ Zip ______Please charge my credit card for a 50% deposit and Alice Glock Jean Stufflebeem Peter S. Wood charge the balance upon installation. John DiDomenico Phone ______Scott Alan Gothe Eliane M. Talec ___ To set up a monthly installment plan, please call our Michael Hingston Susan Wenderoth Mark Eckhoff Institutional Email ______offices at 973-540-0311. Nancy Howley Kelley and Bob Fahey Cliffside Park Public Library Peg and Frank Fenimore Hunterdon County Library Credit Card # ______Expires ______The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms Jane W. Katzenberger Return completed 2352 Route 10 West, Morris Plains, NJ 07950 Yvonne Kloehn Roger Foster Roselle Park Library form, attachments Security # ______and payment to: If paying by credit card, you may also fax form to Rick Mason Matthew Fox Sussex County Library System Signature (required on all credit card charges) 973.540.1167 or call the Museum at 973.540.0311. Kristen McCauley Vonda Givens and Wes Sherman New Providence Memorial Library Page 6 Summer 2015 Summer 2015 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.

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