Embedded Files
For Classes, Galleries, Events, and More, Visit the BAYarts Main Website
The Nickel Plate Station House was Baycrafters' first permanent home—previously, they had operated primarily out of the Bay Village Library's basement (now the Rose Hill Museum). The station dated back to 1882, and was built at the Dover Center Road crossing. Dover Station was part of the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, more commonly known as Nickel Plate Road.
Bay Village Station by Stan Hacker, watercolor on watercolor paper
However, railroad travel became less popular as more and more people began to own cars. The Nickel Plate Road and another local railroad, the Lakeshore Electric Railway, both hung on through the early 20th century until their closures in 1964 and 1938 respectively.
While the rise of automobiles was bad news for trains, it turned out to be great for the Baycrafters: the railroad company donated the station to them for just one dollar! The Cleveland Metroparks, who had bought John Huntington's Bay Village estate a few decades after his death, agreed to let Baycrafters move the station to the Huntington Reservation in 1962. It was transported on a flatbed truck to its current location, between the Huntington House and the Playhouse.
Do you see a circular sign in the above picture, to the left of the door? Learn about it here:
All Aboard the Arts and Crafts Station!
All Aboard the Arts and Crafts Station!
The grand opening was on September 10, 1963 alongside an "Art Activities for the Family" event at the Nature Center. It was hosted by Dick and Jeanne Abell, who were both artists based in Minnesota. (Dick Abell, an alum of the Cleveland Institute of Art, had been one of the first winners of the Baycrafters Scholarship!)
The Station House was officially dubbed the Arts and Crafts Station. Art classes were held there, while others continued to operate out of the Rose Hill Museum and even some instructors' homes.
Excerpt from the 1966 Gallery Information sheet
Circulating Gallery agreement on the back of a painting
Starting in 1955, the building was also used for the Circulating Gallery. Local artists donated their work, and visitors came from all over Northeast Ohio to "rent" them. This was a unique method of making art more accessible, and gave the participating artists exposure that often led to people purchasing their work permanently.
The Circulating Gallery even got national recognition! The article "Art in a Depot" by Dorothy Brant Warnick was published in the Winter 1966 issue of American Home magazine.
As if the Station House wasn't busy enough, it also hosted the Station Shop, where handmade creations by Baycrafters members were sold. It was especially popular each December when it transformed into the Christmas Shop.
Station House by Greco, oil on canvasboard
Today the station is home to Chatty's Pizzeria, but the artisan shop is still here, just next door in the Huntington House. Take a look at the painting above—there's another sign by the door! Click the button to learn about this one:
Page updated
Report abuse