photo credit: rick020200

Off-season there are several business and lodging establishments that stay open all and the staff at Chautauqua is busy finalizing the event program for the following year.

The beautiful gardens, narrow winding streets and a wide variety of architecture designs all tucked behind gates give Chautauqua an atmosphere of stepping back in time. Many refer to it as Shangri La.

One of Chautauqua’s well known residents, Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, wrote The Story of Chautauqua.  It was published in 1921. You may download a copy of the pdf  book here “The Story of Chautauqua.” Just remember it is a book and its copyright should be honored.

Chautauqua may be best known for their morning lectures. The following list is the Chautauqua Institutions weekly lecture program. Many of the other lectures and events are designed around the theme of the week.

2009 Chautauqua Weekly Themes

Week One • Morning Lecture Theme: Kids! • Afternoon Theme: The Gnostic Gospels–A Different View of Christianity

Week Two • Morning Lecture Theme: Explore our World with National Geographic • Afternoon Theme: The Jewish Way of Being (Mon.-Thurs.)

Week Three • Morning Lecture Theme: State of Mind • Afternoon Theme: Faith, Belief and State of Mind

Week Four • Lecture Theme: The Ethics of Capitalism

Week Five • Lecture Theme: What Makes Us Moral? An Abrahamic Perspective

Week Six • Morning Lecture Theme: On Cinema • Afternoon Theme: The Influence of Religion and Culture on Contemporary Diplomacy

Week Seven • Morning Lecture Theme: Imagine … • Afternoon Theme: Imagine a World at Peace through Compassion

Week Eight • Lecture Theme: Cuba: Enigma and Neighbor

Week Nine • Morning Lecture Theme: The History of Liberty • Afternoon Theme: Religious Liberty and the Faith of the Founders

The entire family will be able to find activities on the grounds of Chautauqua or in the surounding towns.