In its original form, chautauqua (named for the New York State community where it originated) was a series of educational lectures under tents that traveled from town to town, featuring speakers on diverse topics which served as entertainment and enlightenment in the days before movies and television.
Today, chautauqua operates under the auspices of the Ohio Humanities Council and uses historical experts who don the guise of the personage they have studied and illuminate the audience on that person's life and experience.
From June 20-24, five such experts will bring the lives of notable historical figures to evening programs in a tent in the Gallipolis City Park, and to youth and adult workshops during the daytime at the Bossard Memorial Library.
They are Dan Cutler as native leader Chief Cornstalk, Hank Fincken as explorer and conqueror Francisco Pizarro, Michael Hughes as World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle, Karen Vuranch as American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and Gene Worthington as President Theodore Roosevelt.
Noting the success of chautauqua programs throughout the state, including one in Meigs County last year, local leaders applied to have Gallipolis host one.
“They have a pretty lengthy application to fill out,” said Ray McKinniss, general chairman of the committee that spearheaded the effort to obtain a chautauqua stop.
“A representative of the humanities council came to assess the town and survey the community, took all of the information back and we were lucky enough to be chosen,” McKinniss said.
“One of the things they like is the location,” he added. “The tremendous view of the river and tremendous setting helped sell it.”
A chautauqua speaker, Brian Richards of Portsmouth, brought his Woody Hayes program to the Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau's annual meeting in 2005 to give people an idea of the chautauqua experience.
The experts will offer workshops during the day to enhance understanding of their historical focus, with a program featuring one of the experts set for each night at 7:30. Entertainment will precede the program at 6:45 p.m.
In case of inclement weather, the nightly programs will be held at the Ariel-Dater Performing Arts Centre, which will also host a VIP reception hosted by the humanities council and the Gallipolis Chautauqua Committee on Tuesday, June 20 at 5 p.m.
The current chautauqua tour started today in Delaware, and after Gallipolis, travels to Mansfield June 27-July 1, Geauga County July 12-16, and Salem July 18-22.
A schedule of local
chautauqua events:
Tuesday, June 20
10:30 a.m. - Clara Barton, “Stories of Peace and Justice.” Featuring a story about a little girl whose mother and father are conductors in the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape into Ohio.
Bossard Library - Youth Workshop.
2:30 p.m. - Michael Hughes, “When the War Was on the Wire.” A look at the works of 10 celebrated men and women who reported World War II.
Bossard Library - Adult Workshop.
Under the Ohio Chautauqua Tent at the Gallipolis City Park:
6:45 p.m. - Entertainment.
7:30 p.m. - “An Evening with Chief Cornstalk.”
Wednesday, June 21
10:30 a.m. - Gene Worthington, “Exploring the Natural World.” Take a nature walk to observe and learn more about the world in which we live.
Bossard Library - Youth Workshop.
2:30 p.m. - Dan Cutler, “The American Revolution: Indian Style.” Examine the no-win situation in which Cornstalk and others found themselves as the two “superpowers” of that time prepared for war.
Bossard Library - Adult Workshop.
Under the Ohio Chautauqua Tent at the Gallipolis City Park:
6:45 p.m. - Entertainment.
7:30 p.m. - “An Evening With Francisco Pizarro.”
Thursday, June 22
10 a.m. - Dan Cutler, “Adopted by the Indians.” Sharing information about Indian life, culture and entertainment; discussing why Cornstalk and others adopted white children.
Bossard Library - Youth Workshop.
1 p.m. - Karen Vuranch, “Is War the Mother of Invention?” Explore ways that war creates technology which has profound effects in peacetime.
Bossard Library - Adult Workshop.
Under the Ohio Chautauqua Tent at Gallipolis City Park:
6:45 p.m. - Entertainment.
7:30 p.m. - “An Evening With Ernie Pyle.”
Friday, June 23
10:30 a.m. - Hank Fincken, “If I Had Been Born An Inca.” Discussion/slide presentation sharing discoveries about life in Peru.
Bossard Library - Youth Workshop.
2:30 p.m. - Gene Worthington, “White House Firsts.” Details innovative changes Theodore Roosevelt made in the White House.
Bossard Library - Adult Workshop.
Under the Ohio Chautauqua Tent at Gallipolis City Park:
6:45 p.m. - Entertainment.
7:30 p.m. - “An Evening With Clara Barton.”
Saturday, June 24
10:30 a.m. - Michael Hughes, “Every Child a Partner: American and British Children in World War II.” Explore how young Americans helped win World War II.
Bossard Library - Youth Workshop.
2:30 p.m. - Hank Fincken, “America Today: Fighting to Maintain the Peace.” A slide illustrated exploration of contemporary life in Peru.
Bossard Library - Adult Workshop.
Under the Ohio Chautauqua Tent at Gallipolis City Park:
6:45 p.m. - Entertainment.
7:30 p.m. - “An Evening With Teddy Roosevelt.”
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