CPOY

CPOY 69 Interpretive Project Bronze: Chautauqua, a dreamworld

Chautauqua is one of the oldest cultural movements from U.S that started in 1874 by Lewis Miller, an inventor from Ohio, and John H. Vincent, a minister in Illinois as an educational community where people could gather to learn and discuss about religion, politics, and art in an idyllic setting. Before the Victorian houses were built, people used to camp on Chautauqua Lake shore in Western New York, while artistic representations were being held outdoors or inside big tents. Today it became “one of America’s best-kept secrets.” It is at once a community, a learning center, a retreat, a vacation destination, and an American Utopia," as Steve Odland, Forbes magazine contributor describes it. The beauty of the natural setting of Chautauqua plays an important role in the Chautauqua’s philosophy. It was thought that it is easier to learn in a natural setting, beautiful and peaceful that encourages dialogue, love, understanding. In comparison with the outside world, Chautauqua is a utopian place, it is a gated community where people don’t lock their doors, and everything functions based on mutual trust. It is like a miniature town, it has private administration system, a board of trustees, a president, a newspaper, a police station, their own transportation system, all on the grounds. Chautauqua residents describe this place as adults’ Disney Land. No cars are allowed in the community that means everybody rides a bike, drives a gold cart or walks. Parents are happy that they can leave their children to ride their bike freely without having to worry. Chautauqua is a place of history, a place where time freezes once you enter. The narrow streets and the gingerbread houses were kept just like in the old times. Once you enter, it feels like you go back in time, in the late 1800 hundreds. Some might say it's vintage, some might say it's old, some might it's say not real. I would say Chautauqua is a very layered dreamworld, a journey.

Caption
Slide 1 of 12
August 12, 2014
A boy rides his bike on a sunny afternoon at Chautauqua Institution.
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