The Chautauqua Movement began at Lake Chautauqua in western New York in 1874. Initially, it was a two-week encampment for training Sunday school teachers. Within a few years, it had evolved into a summer long resort community providing the American Protestant Middle Class with a wholesome option for using emerging phenomenon of summer vacation.

Emulating the “mother” Chautauqua in New York, similar communities spread across the United States, although principally in the northeast. Eventually there were over 100 permanent Chautauquas that were established by the 1890s.  While each Chautauqua had its unique characteristics, they were all modeled after the New York Chautauqua and emphasized religion, education, recreation and the arts.

In addition to the permanent Chautauqua sites, traveling versions of Chautauqua began in 1904 and lasted until the Great Depression.  While a pale imitation of the original concept, the “tent” Chautauquas visited thousands of American communities (including Northville) and touched millions of Americans each year for over twenty-five years, bringing culture to small communities across the country…Michigan included.

The Chautauqua Movement touched many aspects of American life and played an especially central role in several critical aspects of American life between 1874 and 1920.