Chautauqua—the word sounds strange, except perhaps to the oldest among us who may remember the traveling tent shows of the original Chautauqua in Mississippi in the early part of the century, or to those south of Jackson who know the lovely Chautauqua Park in Crystal Springs but perhaps don’t know the origin of the name. 

But for some thirty years, beginning in the 1890s, the Chautauqua came to Mississippi, bringing speakers ranging from William Jennings Bryan to Germaine the Wizard to talk in tents to large crowds on a wide variety of subjects.  Begun originally at Lake Chautauqua in upstate New York as training for Sunday School teachers, the movement spread across the United States providing what was called “entertaining adult education.”

The modern Chautauqua, on the other hand, has become a tradition in Mississippi through the Mississippi Humanities Council.  In 1992 MHC sponsored the first Chautauqua, featuring Jefferson Davis, Abe Lincoln, Ida B. Wells, and Eliza Jane Poitevent (“Pearl Rivers”).  Since then the state has been revisited by nearly twenty characters from the past, most recently in 2002-2003 by Richard Wright and Tennessee Williams as the Mississippi Writers Chautauqua. The re-invented Chautauqua that has become a hallmark of the Council shares with the historic Chautauquas an interest in civic education and community life.  In the modern version, scholars portray historical figures, and the performances are grounded in historical accuracy as well as the magic of theatre, providing both entertainment and education. 

If you are interested in hosting your own Chautauqua, please consult MHC’s Speakers Bureau for a list of Chautauqua performers.