WHAT IS ‘CHAUTAUQUA?’
LAKESIDE & THE CHAUTAUQUA MOVEMENT
Established in 1873, Lakeside was among the first communities founded as part of the Chautauqua Movement in North America, a cultural and educational movement that flourished during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Some consider it the first form of mass culture in North America. Theodore Roosevelt hailed it as “the most American thing in America.” Scholars credit it with sowing the seeds of liberal thought in the U.S. and Canada.
At the height of its existence, the Chautauqua Movement attracted millions to hear preachers, educators, explorers, scientists, politicians and entertainers.
The movement had declined by the mid-1930s. Most historians cite the rise of the car, culture, radio and movies as the causes.
The movement is now experiencing a renaissance. People are discovering that lifelong learning is one of the keys to living a happy, fulfilling life.
The Chautauqua Movement holds a respected place in North American history, and Lakeside Chautauqua remains a leader of this cultural phenomenon.
Return to The Front Porch frequently to take a virtual journey with us this summer as we share stories of our fellow Chautauqua communities along the trail.
CHAUTAUQUA TRAIL MEMBERS
We invite you to visit our fellow Chautauqua sister communities this summer:
- Bay View Association, Bay View, Michigan
- Chautauqua at the Riverside, Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Chautauqua in Chagrin, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
- Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua , New York
- Chautauqua—Wawasee, Syracuse, Indiana
- Colorado Chautauqua, Boulder, Colorado
- Epworth Assembly, Ludington, Michigan
- Florida Chautauqua, DeFuniak Springs, Florida
- Lakeside Chautauqua, Lakeside, Ohio
- Monteagle Assembly, Monteagle, Tennessee
- Muskoka Chautauqua, Port Carling, Ontario
- New Piasa Chautauqua, Elsah, Illinois
- Ocean Grove Association, Ocean Grove, New Jersey
- Ocean Park, Ocean Park, Maine
- Pennsylvania Chautauqua, Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania
- Plains Chautauqua, Plains, Georgia
- Waxahachie Chautauqua, Waxahachie, Texas
To begin your Chautauqua Trail journey, visit www.chautauquatrail.com.
Join our Front Porch conversation! Have you visited other Chautauqua communities? Which has been your favorite and why? Tell us in the comments below.