Chautauqua

Chautauqua has been characterized as a late nineteenth and early twentieth century adult education movement.  It takes its name from the Chautauqua Institute founded originally as a summer school program to train Methodist Sunday school teachers at a campsite on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in New York state.  As the idea took hold, other permanent locations were established around the country.

The Circuit Chautauqua, or Tent Chautauqua was a regional event, usually lasting for a week, during which a traveling Chautauqua housed in a large tent brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, humorists, entertainers, and preachers to rural America.