Elverhoj: Ulster County’s Arts & Crafts Colony at Milton-on-Hudson, 1912-1934 with Dr. William Rhoads

After Woodstock’s Byrdcliffe, Elverhoj was Ulster County’s second important Arts & Crafts colony. Established by two Danish-American silversmiths, Anders H. Andersen and Johannes Morton, Elverhoj (Danish for “hill of the fairies”) was known for jewelry and silverware designed and made by individual artists, but also for etchings and paintings by Ralph Pearson and James Scott. Elverhoj was publicized in Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman magazine and awarded a gold medal at the 1915 Panama-

Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. In the 1920s theatrical productions attracted audiences from the region, but in 1934, during the Depression, Andersen lost the property. It was purchased in 1938 by followers of Father Divine, the charismatic black leader, and it became one of his most popular missions.

A special exhibit on Elverhoj, will feature items from the collection of Vivian Wadlin. Ms Wadlin’s collection holds a diversity of book plates created by artist Dard Hunter. Hunter was a papermaker that had his mill at what is known as the Gomez Mill House in Milton. The collection also has invitations to theatre productions held at Elverhoj and other events held at the colony. Several small water colors and other paper art will be on display. Craft pieces, belonging to Dr. and Mrs. Rhoads and art work from dealer, Sanford Levy will also be part of the exhibit. The exhibit will be on display at the Bevier House Museum through the end of July, 2019.