Arts and Crafts Movement in America

Summary: 

          During the Arts and Craft Movement in Europe, America had no important figures like John Ruskin or William Morris to help widely spread the idea of Arts and Crafts throughout the nation. Our conscience and reactions were less obvious at first. 

          In 1876, the world invited Philadelphia to help United States celebrate a century of independence. However, visitors were horrified by the furniture exhibits that show a taste for grandeur and no pride in craftsmanship. 

          By the late 1870s, America own Arts and Crafts Movement was underway as America tried to surpass the art of furniture of England.

          Between the years of 1901-16, it is often referred to as the Craftsman Movement as a generation of designers established a severe, geometric style of furniture and ornamentation. 

Important People:

• Horatio Greenough
• 1805 - 1852


• A classicist with ideas that appealed to later generations of functionalist




• Henry Hobson Richardson 


• 1838-1886
• Adoption of the Queen Anne Style 
• Avant-grade architectural tastes
• Moved America into the Arts and Crafts Movement 


• John La Farge 
• 1805 –1852
• Stained glass window maker