A Chautauqua is “the most American thing in America,” according to Pres. Theodore Roosevelt. The movement began in 1874 in New York near Jamestown, now the Chautauqua Institute on Chautauqua Lake. Originally there was a religious base to the movement, and many were held throughout the US at church-based camps or settlements, especially Methodist. Lectures, writing, art and music were all traditional components to encourage education and culture in what were usually semi-rural areas.

This weekend is the Chautauqua Homecoming at historic Epworth Park (established in 1870) in my parents’ town of Bethesda.  What could be more American than rocking on porch under gingerbread and bunting on a July afternoon? The park is playing host to crafts-people and bluegrass bands, a bicycle decorating contest, antique car show and chicken BBQ. All very American indeed.















Also, I've just updated www.glynisart.com to include an Ohio page. I'll be doing more work
on it soon. GV