LITTLE JOURNEYS 2026
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Rob Goller: Who were (and Are) the Roycrofters?
Elbert Hubbard attracted hundreds of creative types to his Arts and Crafts community on South Grove Street at the turn of the 20th Century. Some, like famed artist Alexis Fournier, were invited. Others simply showed up, in the hopes of landing a job at the Roycroft, a place where putting “head, heart and hand” into one’s work in equal measure was encouraged in a world otherwise dominated by the assembly-line mentality of the Industrial Revolution.
This presentation discusses what it was like to work at the Roycroft and shares the stories of some of the personalities—both famous and not- so-famous—who made The Roycroft Campus and Village of East Aurora their workplace and home - both then and today, as the modern day Roycroft Artisans and Masters.
Robert Lowell Goller is a public historian and former journalist who has served as the town and village historian in East Aurora, N.Y., since 2007. Through his books, monthly newspaper column and weekly videos on Facebook and YouTube, he uncovers previously untold stories of the past and places the history of small towns such as East Aurora in the context of national and international events. His television appearances have included C-SPAN and “Sunday Morning” on CBS.
Who Put the ‘East’ in East Aurora? is his third book.
He is also the author of Aurora Revisited (2011) and Legendary Locals of East Aurora (2014).
A graduate of the State University of New York College at Geneseo, he launched his journalism career in the fifth grade with Goller’s Gazette, a newspaper that served his neighborhood for seven years. He was a reporter at The Daily Messenger in Canandaigua, N.Y., and editor of the East Aurora Advertiser. Interviews during his journalism career included the Brown sisters of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education and noted American rabbi and author Harold Kushner. He was a member of press pools covering First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1998 and former President George H.W. Bush in 1999.
In 2008, he was awarded the Mary and Gil Stott Award at Roycroft for achievement in writing, music and history, and in 2011 he was among Business First newspaper’s “40 Under 40” rising community and business leaders in Western New York. The County Legislature named him Erie County Citizen of the Month for November 2019.
Since 2005, he has donned his signature top hat as the master of ceremonies of East Aurora’s annual Christmas Carolcade, a role he has reprised for appearances in holiday movies, including “A Royal Christmas Engagement” in 2020, and the Hallmark Channel’s “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” in 2025.
He also satirically portrays President Millard Fillmore and the “secret singing guest” at the Aurora Historical Society’s annual political roast fundraiser.
He and his husband Jason live in the Village of East Aurora.
Little Journeys connects the Roycroft community by offering artist talks, demonstrations and lectures that educate and stimulate intellectual and artistic curiosity, and serve as a homage to Elbert Hubbard’s original Little Journeys, small trips to artists of note that shared intimate glimpses behind their process and lives. For years, this series was an important part of RALA’s presence on South Grove, and offered “show and tell” by Masters and Artisans, Artisan Forums and visiting nationally known speakers. 2025 RALA Little Journeys will be held on the first Wednesday of the "even months" at The Roycroft Chapel, and are proudly sponsored by our community parter, The Roycroft Inn.
The Inn hosts a relaxed start to Little Journeys with a cocktail hour beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Library Bar. Those who wish to dine following the lecture will receive 10% off of their dinner at The Roycroft Inn that evening beginning at 7:15 p.m. by mentioning Little Journeys when making a reservation. We highly encourage those joining us to take advantage of the hospitality of The Inn.hose who wish to dine following the lecture will receive 10% off of their dinner at The Roycroft Inn that evening beginning at 7:15 p.m. by mentioning Little Journeys when making a reservation. We highly encourage those joining us to take advantage of the hospitality of The Inn and to be considerate of the staff by making a reservation ahead of time if possible.
Active RALA Patrons and Members may always attend Little Journeys remote via a member Livestream. Remote viewing will be made available to Members and Patrons in good standing who cannot physically attend. For more information on membership, see our Membership page. Membership opportunities will be available at the evening’s event prior to and immediately following the meeting and presentation.