Many Boulder citizens have come to think of Chautauqua as a landmark unique to city of Boulder. However, the word actually encompasses a much broader idea which began on the east coast during the late 1800s. Chautauqua is a Seneca Indian word loosely translated as “bag tied in the middle” and was the name of a lake in New York where an educational experiment in out-of-school, vacation learning was founded in 1874. Composed of a rich blend of academic lectures, musical performances, and other recreational activities, the adult education movement quickly gained popularity and Chautauquas spread throughout the United States . President Theodore Roosevelt called these Chautauquas “the most American thing in America .” The Colorado Chautauqua opened in Boulder during the summer of 1898. Boulder 's Chautauqua is unique as it is now the only one west of the Mississippi River that has been open since its founding and still maintains its original structures. It has hosted such famous guests as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, “The March King” John Philip Sousa, the Indigo Girls, and Vice President Al Gore. It is considered the essence of the western American Chautauqua because of its enriching and cultural contributions to the community.
Boulder 's Chautauqua was originally named the Texas-Colorado Chautauqua Association (nicknamed “Texado”) due to the fact that Texans saw Colorado as an ideal summer vacation spot even in the late 19 th century. In 1897, the State Board of Education in Austin , Texas decided to establish a summer school in a cooler climate where University of Texas educators could improve their professional skills while enjoying a break from the hot, Texas summer. Boulder beat out other prospective sights such as Denver and Colorado Springs in part because the city voted to donate the 75 acres to the Chautauqua Organization and build permanent facilities and a streetcar line to the site from the middle of town. The auditorium was completed in less than two months and the dining hall was not far behind, but for the first summer after the grand opening on July 4, 1898 , there were no cabins to stay in, just tents.
Chautauqua may still have its original buildings, but there have been other additions (and subsequent subtractions) to the Chautauqua site over the years. The Chautauqua “Zoo” was established in 1903 with a few wild deer kept in a fenced enclosure in the middle of the grounds. In 1906 an eagle was added and by 1913 the zoo also contained elk, a wolf, pheasant, squirrels, two bears, and guinea pigs. The zoo was short lived and was most likely removed during the 1920s. Chautauqua also briefly had a ski slope. In 1948, Harris “Tommy” Thompson got city council approval to operate an 850-foot ski tow on Chautauqua's hills. Unfortunately, Mesa Ski Slope did not last more than a few years due to strong winds and quick melting snow.
The Colorado Chautauqua Association was designated a national historic landmark on February 9, 2006 . It is one of twenty sites in Colorado and the first between Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado Springs . The United States Secretary of the Interior selects places as national historic landmarks that have an “exceptional value or quality in illustrating and interpreting the heritage of the United States .” As a well preserved example of an education movement from a century ago in addition to being a loved and active part of its current community, Chautauqua certainly deserves this designation. Much of Chautauqua has been restored since its 1898 opening. In the 1970s, local interest in the old site prompted a revitalization in Chautauqua's programming and also a building renovation effort which started with the Dining Hall. Today, Chautauqua's renovation efforts are being focused on the cabins. Its 40-acre park with its trails and spectacular views are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, its Dining Hall is a successful restaurant, and the auditorium hosts a variety of events, from a silent film series to concerts every summer.
References: The Grand Assembly: The Story of Life at the Colorado Chautauqua by Mary Galey, Boulder in Perspective by J.B. Schoolland, Colorado Chautauqua and the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History.
Color photo courtesy of Colorado Chautauqua.
