Many people who visit Craftsman Farms just say it feels good to be there. It does!! If you are a follower of the American Arts and Crafts movement and Gustav Stickley, it is THE must-go-to place. It is sometimes difficult to articulate to yourself as well as others what Arts and Crafts and Stickley were all about. At the SMCF, the home that Stickley conceived, built and lived in with his family as he was thinking about and spreading his message of a simple, clean, purposeful, honest beautiful life, you can begin to understand. Anyone, local or from a distance will learn from and be happy that they have experienced a day there.
My first experience with the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms was an eye opening one - I had grown up with Frank Lloyd Wright but never heard of Gustav Stickley! The Stickley Museum has been called the "hidden jewel" of the NJ / Morris County area by many visitors as they have come to experience the tranquil setting of the only place that American Arts and Craft leader Gustav Stickley designed, built and lived in with his family. The staff and volunteers make the experience of the visit unique and memorable - sharing a love of the philosophy Stickley proposed more than 100 years ago - living in harmony with nature. A visit to the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is well worth the time!
Its been my pleasure to volunteer and serve on the board of the Craftsman Farms Foundation. My six year involvement began with giving tours of Gustav Stickley's landmark log home, but as I became more involved I realized I was there because of the extraordinary people involved at every level. Our Executive Director, Heather Stivison, our staff, our volunteers and our board are dedication and integrity personified. It is exciting and rewarding to be part of this remarkable (and remarkable focused) organization.