On Thursday, March 5th over 175 people gathered at the Everson Museum of Art to Kick-Off the Capital Campaign for Phase II of the Gustav Stickley House. Guests enjoyed refreshments while learning about the restoration plans and viewing artist’s renditions of some of the home’s future interior spaces. Numerous dignitaries, including Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, were in attendance as well as members of many local community organizations, businesses and preservation groups and several descendants of Gustav Stickley himself.
Gustav Stickley House Foundation President David Rudd and Capital Campaign Co-Chair Joanie Mahoney welcomed guests and thanked the audience for their support. Mahoney in particular recognized Aminy Audi and the Stickley Audi & Co. family for their consummate support in saving the home and donating the property to the restoration efforts. Mahoney also announced that $200,000 has already been raised toward the funding goal for Phase II.
Phase I was completed in 2018 and restored the exterior of the house and stabilized the building overall. Phase II turns it’s attention to the interior and creating a unique historic house museum and guest house. The first floor and upper historic spaces will be restored to their original form. The bedrooms will be converted into five guest-suites and an addition will be added to the rear to create an accessible entrance. Visitors will be able to spend the night in the original home and the public spaces will be used for educational displays, exhibits, programs as well as special events. Gustav Stickley purchased the home in 1900. Following a devastating fire in 1902, the interior was redesigned by Stickley himself, creating the first Arts & Crafts home in America. The home remained in the family until the 1950s. Following, it was divided into apartments and had been uninhabited for the 20 years, prior to restoration beginning in 2016.
As part of the evening’s events, Garth Johnson, Curator of Ceramics at the Everson Museum of Art, provided attendees with an exclusive talk and tour of the ceramics collection and current exhibit “Renegades and Reformers: American Art Pottery.” The evening’s highlight was the Syracuse premiere of the documentary “Gustav Stickley: American Craftsman” by filmmaker Herb Stratford who was on hand to introduce the film.
It was a glorious evening with great energy and excitement. Thank you to all who attended and please continue to follow our progress. Enjoy the many images below from the event.
