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16 |ARTS & CRAFTS HOMES Winter 2017

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NEWS + PEOPLE

Reviving a Work of Art and Science

A telescope designed in 192 3 by Russell Porter, father of amateur American astronomy, was an

elegant footnote to history before Fred Schleipman decided to reproduce it. Not merely a su-

perb optical instrument—the Porter Garden Telescope was a model for the 200" Hale telescope

at Mount Palomar in California—it is also an Art Nouveau art piece in cast bronze.

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early 19 7 0s, it became his passion. The Vermonter’s quest to resurrect it lasted more than 40

years. Since the original patterns had been lost, the loan of an original telescope played a cru-

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to be scaled up to match originals, since bronze shrinks as it cools after casting.

To help defray the substantial cost of development, Schleipman and his son Russ are

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views of the celestial spheres. Point the graceful eyepiece toward Jupiter, and the planet’s four

largest moons are obvious in a clear night sky.

Including pedestal and optics case, the telescope measures 5' 6" tall. The price is not for

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gardentelescopes.com

Where Gustav

Dreamed Big

When fire devastated the interior of his late Victorian Queen Anne

home in Syracuse, New York, Gustav Stickley dreamed up a new con-

cept as part of his renovation. By the time he was finished, Stickley had

created the first Arts & Crafts interior in America.

Nearly 115 years later, the long-vacant house is due for major

structural repairs. Held in trust for many years by the L. & J.G. Stickley

furniture company, the house was transferred last May to a local non-

profit, which will manage construction. Another nonprofit, the Gustav

Stickley House Foundation, is raising funds for restoration. Among the

tasks ahead are masonry and roof repairs, window and woodwork pres-

ervation, and reconstructing the original front porch.

That said, the interior is in remarkable condition. Much of the orig-

inal chestnut woodwork is intact, from floors and wall paneling to ceiling

beams. Striking interior doors feature horizontal and vertical planking.

While there has been significant support from the state and local

foundations, a total of $2.5 million still needs to be raised to complete

the project. To make a donation, contact David Rudd at the Foundation,

(315) 463-1568, gustavstickleyhousefoundation.org

ABOVE FROM TOP Stickley’s Syracuse home

was built in 1900 in the late Queen Anne style.

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vertical chestnut paneling and ceiling beams.

Re-creating the telescopic masterpiece of

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high-optic reproduction in cast bronze.