Unrestored door at the Roycroft Inn
Years back, I traveled to the Roycroft Inn to continue the
ongoing search for history of the American Arts & Crafts Movement.
This place sure didn't dissappoint. It was at that quirky stage
when it still retained a hint of the glory years of the Roycroft
movement and yet it was stone falling apart. The entire building
leaked. Beyond the facade, the structure would have given Norm Abrams
the shivers. My wife and I were the only guests of the Inn.
The keeper left around 6, and when we returned to our dark abode
the place was as scary as hell. It is amazing what the absence
of sun does to an empty Inn. We had to enter through a back fire
escape access, they locked and bolted the Inn at night for fear
of theft of all the Roycroft Furniture
and nearly priceless lighting.
We were able to explore, and the above shot was taken
in the 3rd floor "salon". It was full of Roycroft Furniture
and the room was appointed in oak from floor to ceiling. The presence
of Elbert Hubbard seemed everywhere, I even expected his ghost
to try to sell us some copies of the "Scrap Book".
