Culver, Indiana Chautauquas

After the Culver / Maxinkuckee Assembly Park by H. H. Culver awhich lasted from 1889 - 1890 and the "Assembly" failed :

The end came to the Assembly Grounds in Dec. 1905 when J. V. Combs filed suit on the mortgage. In 1907 is was sold and subdivided into lots becoming Ferriers Addition.

an attempt was made to keep the chautauqua alive. In the early 1900's the famed Redpath Chautauqua National Organization seriously considered establishing in the Culver area but plans were abandoned. But it is said that some form of the Chautauqua's remained into the 1930's era being held on the vacant land at the corner of Plymouth and Washington Streets where the town hall sits today.

What is a Chautauqua?:

Chautauqua ( sha-TAW-kwa) was an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and c ulture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day

David Burns always claimed they were also held at the location of where the town hall presently sits which is 200 E. Washington. By the 1924 & 1937 Sanborn makes this could of been likely as they seem to have just been "vacant lots"

It is found that the National Organization seriously considered establishing in the Culver area but plans were abandoned. But it is said that some form of the Chautauqua's remained into the 1930's era being held on the vacant land at the corner of Plymouth and Washington Streets where the town hall sits today.

A chronological outline/listing of what's been found thus far is below and is a start for further research:

---

1912 - Nov 7 - Entertainment Course

Au agent for the Red path Lyceum bureau was in town last wees, and at a meeting of citizens in Dr. Parker's office closed a contract for a course of five entertainments to be given during the winter.

The course was secured for $250, which the agent claimed was $125 less than the scheduled price, the reduction being conceded because of open dates which the bureai could fill to advantage.

Forty citizens pledged the price of the course,

The first entertainment will be given the latter part of this month;

The organization of the Culver City Chautauqua was effected on Monday night with Dr. Parker president, S. C. Shilling secretary and treasurer, and H. J. Meredith advertising manager.

An interest is being shown in the matter greater than any similar movement has called forth.

The price of season tickets has placed at $1.50 for the adult general public and $1 for memebrs of high school. A price will be made for grade pupils at a later date. Single admissions for adults will be 50 cents.

It is probable that the entertainments will be held in the Methodist church.

1912 - Nov. 28 - Opening Entertainment

On Friday evening the initial entertainment in the Culver City Chautauqua course will be given at the Methodist church by "The Boyds" They are singers are pianists and give character sketches and rreadings An evening of refined entertainment may be looked for. The sale of season tickets has been satisfactory and with the expected sale of single admissions the course will pay its way. Single adult ad,ission is 50 cents;school tickets 35 cents; children's tickets 15 cents..

1912 - Dec 5 - Fine Entertainment - The opening of the Culver Chautauqua course was in every way successful. The Boyds gave a bright, snappy program of songs, readings and sketches which pleased the audience immmensely. The house was full and it was very gratifying to note the presence of a considerable umber of our farmer friends.

1913 - Jan 9 The second entertain,ent of the Chautauqua course was given by Reno, the magician, and was even a greater success in point of attendance and satisfaction than the first

1913 - Feb 6 - The patronage of the Culver Chautauqua course has been so liberal that the committee is able to give an extra entertainment. A concert company has bee secures for the preformnce will bw given Feb. 14.

1913 - Feb 13 - The third entertainment of the Culver Chautauqua course was given on Thursday night by J. Walter Wilson and Walter Howe Jones. Mr. Wilson is a clever im personator with an excellent versalility of style, and his reading of James Whitcomb Rilley's "Tradin' Joe" and the singing recitation of "The Old Man's Dream" were especially effective. Mr. Jones gave a brilliant performance of an Etude of Rubenstein on the piano. The house was well-filled as usual.

1913 - Feb 20 - Chautauqua a Success.

The Chautauqua entertainment course is paying out in a way that is very satisfactory to the association, but the euucaiionalinfluence of a series ot high-class entertainments is a more important consideration.

At the last entertainment Jthe M. E. church auditorium waa full and the annex was half full.

About $15 was taken in at the door.

It was announced that a second "extra" would be given in the form of a concert by the Choral club. This will be free to holders of course tickets.

1913 - Apr 10 - The concert by the Chioago Glee Club furnished the last and best entertainment of the Chautauqua club's course with the exception, of course, of the Emerson Ott lecture. It is a source of satisfaction to the members of the club that the organization has been able to furnish six numbers of such excelleuce and to a patronage which leaves a little money iu the treasury. The.benefits which the whole community more or less receives from: the visits of the talented ladies and gentlemen who have given the performances is not to be regarded lightly. We have not only, been provided with some delightful evenings, but we have consciotisly felt an uplift iu a moral sense and a little raising of our intellectual and artistic standards. It is a matter for much regret that at the present time there is no probability of securing a course next season owing to the want of an assembling place.

We are again face to face -with the need for a town hall where the people can gather on ocoasions of general interest.

The citizen who proposes a practical plan for meeting this demand will be conferring a large benefit upon the people of Culver.

The hope of a profitable investment in erecting a public hall building cannot be held out, for the rentals would probably not more than pay the taxes, insurance and running expenses; - nor is there any individual financially able to erect such a budding and pocket the loss on the investment.

If anything is done it must be done by a general movement among the people.

It might be possible to organize a stock company and by issuing the shares in $10 denominations get enough people to take one or more shares to finance the proposition.-

But Culver must have a public hall, and will have one sooner or later, and it will be well for the people to be thinking about it and gstting. ready, to help when tha rigbt tima seems to hava arrived

1913 - May 22 -A Summer Chautauqua

An agent of the Lincoln Chautauqua bureau was here the other day to canvass the chances for putting on a six-day course.

The program was a tempting one program identically the same that is to to be given in Bremen, Calparaiso , Knox and a large number of other towns in Indiana.

The financial pro1912 - position was the selling of 400 season tickets at $1.50 each and a first lien on the next $150 taken in. There will also be about $75 of additional expense for the entertainment tbe talent eto making $825 to be raised before the local association is clear.

About 30 citizens signed the guarantee, and they will have to put in some good solid work to insure the financial tent which wil1 8eat 1.500, and the success of the venture.

The entertainments will be given tent will seat 1,500 and the time will be the last of August.

1913 - Jul 17 - Finaucial Statement.

Statement of the Culver City Chautauqua as reported by S. C. Shilling, secretary and treasurer:

Rec'd from sale of tickets . . $353.80

Paid out


E. E. Parker, dray and exp	1	.30
A. B. Holt, printing ticket	4	.75
W. C. Harris, jauitor 4 ent	2	.00
Oliver Morris, janitor		.50
M.E. church, rent 5 ent	15	.00
The Boyds	40	.00
Edward Reno	45	.00
Waterman Co.	40	.00
Edward A. Ott	75	.00
Wilson & Chicago Glee club	90	.00
Piano, 4 entertainments	10	.00

Christian church and janitor	3	.50
Publishing this statement	1	.25
Balance in treasury	25	.50
Total	$323	.80



We have examined the foregoing statement and find it to be corrcct. E. E.Parker, H. J. Meredith, A. B, Holt, And. Corn,

1913 - Jul 17 - Arrangements are now well under way for Chautauqua Week. There will be a six-day program from Aug 8 to Aug 14, every afternoon and evening of high-class attractions. By an ad for sale of tickets it was to be on tne "Rea corner"

1913- Aug 21 - CULVER'S CHAUTAUQUA FOR NEXT YEAR IS FULLY ASSURED and a small quip elsewhere in the paper:

we are spelling Chautauqua wuth a capital C beause it is a big thing in Culver and because it is a new thing. After next year, whe it has become a permenant institution, we will print it chautauqua.

1914 - On March 26, 1914 a schedule was printed for the 1914 Chautauqua as follows:

The Chautauqua Program

The date for Culver's 1914 chautauqua is Aug. 30-Sept. 4. The talent is announced as follows:


Hon. William E. Mason, ex-U. S. senator rrom Illinois. political address.
Governor Patterson of Tennessee, temperance address.
Congressman Fred S. Jackson ex-attorney general of Kansas, progreaaive talk.
Thomas McClary, illusatrated lecture on Panama
Prof. Wm. Lloyd Davis, Wisconsin univereity lecture and song recital
Belle Kearney, lecture.
The University Players, seven piece orchestra
Nell Bunnell, singer, and Beatrice Weller, cartoonist, reader and pianist
Tbe Price company of ten instruments aod humorous reader
Royal Black Hussar band, 18 pieces
Hazel Folsom Daggy and comedy singer and instramentalists.
National Grand Opera company of live people

1914 - April 9 - The Lincoln Chautauqua management has substituted July 18-25 for the August date of the Culver course. 1914 - May 28 - Canvassers have begun the work of selling season tickets for the Culver Chautauqua.

1914 - June 11 - Preparing for Chautauqua

At a meeting of a number of the quarantors of the Chautauqua association at the Reformed church on Friday eveniing the following committtess were appointed:
Tickets - S. C. SHilling, E. E. Parker, F. L. Hunt, J. F. Garn, L. C. Zechiel, E. Scheurerman
Advertising - C. W. Newman, S. G. WiIlliamson, H. L. Meredith, Jerome Zechiel, A. B. HOlt
Grounds and Genereal Arrangement: - A. M. Roberts, A. F. Stahl, H. H. Tallman, A. Fishburn, H. Zechiel
Entertainment: - H. M. Speyer, N. w. Rector, S. J. Lenon.


JOhn Mitchell was elected treasurer Vice J. G. eck, resigned, and A. B. Holt was appointed press agent.

The advertising committee held a meeting Saturday evening and made arrangements for co-operating with the advertising man who was here Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Culver Chautauqa is to ne held July 16-22.

1914 - Jul 23 - Culver's Big Week - Also an add of July 16th for it 1914 - Jul 30 - Chautauqua Notes.

1915 - Mar 14 - The Chautauqua mangers are pleased to learn that the dates for the Culver season are Aug. 4 to 9. - _Citizen

1915 - May 27 - Chautauauq Meeting - There will be a meeting of the Chautauqua guarantors at Dr. Parker's office on riday evening of this week at 8 o'clock to attend to business of importance - Citizen

1915 - Jul 1 - Perparing for Chautauqua

The meeting of the guarantors Friday evening the following committees were appointed:


Ticket - S. C. Schilling, W. E. Hand, L. C. Zechiel, J. F. Kenrich.
Advertising - Chas. W. Newman, H. L. Meredith, John Osbonr, Earl Zechiel, H. H. Tallman
Grounds - A. M. Roberts, A. A. Kern Albert Stahle, Henry Zechiel, D. W. Marks
Entertainment - O. T. Goss, T. E> Slattery, Harry Menser
Press - A. B. Holt


At the opening of the meeting Vice-President Parker reminded the guarantors that the Chautaugua was but a month away and that it is neessary for everbody to get busy.

He also advised the committees that they were empowered to draft into service anybody who could render them assistance, and that volunteer help woud be welcome from any source.

The Chautauqua is a big undertaking and require lost of work and boosting. If the quarantors do not dig in now they will have to dig up later.

The meeting decided not to elect a persident to succedd Mr. Michael, but to give the Vice-President the powers of the President. - Citizen.

1915 - Jul 8 - Ad for the Chautauqua Culver's Chautauqua is from Monday Aug. 2, to Saturday, Aug. 7

1915 - Jul 15 Ad for the Chautauqua

1915 - Jul 22 - Culver's CHautauqua

Beginning Monday, Aug. 2 and continuing through Saturday Aug. 7, Culver offers an exceotionally attractive program of entertainments.



Adult admission is 25 and 35 cents, varing with the expense of the attraction. The two highest priced are the great Brooks' Symphony Orchestra on Thursday Aug. 5 and the Mosart Quartet and Dr. Ira. Lanrith's lecture "Jes a Li'l Cabin", on Saturday, Aug 7. The afternoon admission to these is only 35 cents, but evening adission is 50 cents.

You can't do better than to spend a day or two at the Culver Chaitauqua.

1915 - Aug 5 - Chautauqua Week

1915 - Aug 19 - Chautauqu guarantors meet this (Thursday) eevening - Citizen

1916 - Mar 16 - Chautauqua this Year - word has been received from the Lincoln Chautauqua headquarters that the bureau's representaive has succeeded in securing 20 names and guanators and that a six-day program will ben given. - Citizen

1923 - Jul 18 - Word was received this morning by the Rev. J. F. Tapy this morning from the Chautauqua company the the program here would begin August 29

AUGUST 8, 1923 Plans are all completed for Culver's Chautauqua, which will begin tomorrow a fternoon on the Osborn lot, east of The Citizen office

1916 - Apr 27 - Chautauqua Meeting

On this week Wednesday evening a meeting will be held in library hall for the purpose of organizing for the CHautauqua Aug. 3 to 8.

Geo. E. Tobey, the Lincoln CHautauqua's representatince, will be present.

Last summer 400 season ticket at $2 were pledged, and it is felt that there should be no trouble in selling 150 more - the number required to make a conract possible.

The Citizen hopes there will be a representaine attendance, which means not only business men, but all citizens interested in the work that Chautauquas are doing for the people

1916 - May 4 - The contoract for a Chautauqua in CUlver this year has been cancled to Argos where 40 guarantors signed up

1917 - Feb 22 - An agent for a Chautauqua system interviewd some of our citizens this week with reference to an investment of $800 in a five-day course. If any of you public-spirited and patriotic citizens or farmers feel that you were overlooked and passed by, the Citizen will be delighted to put you in communication with the agent so that you can get out and hustle to sell $800 worth of tickets. Rush in the names dear brothers and sisters

1920 - Feb 4 - Chautaugua Turned Down

A representative cf a Chautauqua canvassed the town last week to ascertain the prospects for making a contract for a 5-day program next summer.

He did not find the business men very responsive, and finally dropped the matter with the understanding that a lyceum course for next winter, when the new school auditorium will be available, wrould be considered.

The summer season is Culver's busy period. Not only the merchants work the hardest at that time, but our homes are entertaining visitors or providing rooms for vacation visitors.

A continuous 5-day program draws too heavily upon our time and our energies.

A winter course of half a dozen evenings spread over two months is more practicable, involves less financial risk, and comes at a season when some form of recreation is more of a novelty than in the summer.

1922 - May 3 - A representative of the Community CHautauqua association was in town Saturday trying to interset our people in signing up for a week's program. The required guarantee is 450 tickets at $2 each for a five-day course.

1923 - Jul 18 - Chautaugua To Be LasT Week in Aug,

TO BEGIN WORK SOON

People Who Signed Contract This Season Are Urged To Be At Meeting Thursday Night.

Word was received this morning bv Rev , J. F. Tapy form the chautauqua company that the program here would begin August 29th.

It has not been definitely known before just when the affair would be held except that it would be in August sometime.

This will give the local committee a definite time to work on and something can be accomplished. Actual preparations for the chautauqua which will be held in Culver are being started.

It has been deemed wise by those in change that work of publicity and arrangements should be begun at once. With that end in view, there has been a meeting called for Thursday evening, July 19, at eight o'clock in the library.

Everyone Invited To Meeting.

This meeting is one which every one is invited to attend who is interested in the chatauqua for Culver.

But it is psneciallv desired that the persons who signed the contract be present.

The following is the personnel of the committee that is wanted at the meeting:



Rev. O. I. Chivington,	Deane Walker,	J. H. Mereidith,	C. Ross Snapp,
Donald H. Cromley	Mrs. Fletcher Newman,	Mrs. C. I. Ferrier,	Mrs. Orpha Overmeyer,
Major W. M. Hand,	Mrs. F. L. Hunt	Wm. H. Feehan	and J. F. Tapy.

1923 - Aug 1 - Ad for Culver CHautauqua - August 9 - 13

1923 - Aug 8 - A COMMUNITY BENEFIT Why have a chautauqua in a community?

1923 - Aug. 8 - The CHildren of Culver are to meet Miss Voight in the chautauqua tent Thursday morning at ine o'clock. Bring your wagons, tricycles, bicycles, wheel barrows, doll carriages etc.

1923 - Aug 8 - TOMORROW IS DAY CHAUTAUQUA BEGINS A FINANCIAL SUCCESS

Hours for Programs Have Bed Set. At 2:00 in Afternoon and 8:15 At Night

Plans are all complete of Culvert Chautauqua which will begin tumorrow afternoon on the Osborn lot just east of The Citizen office.

The tent and other equipment is on the ground and will be readiness for use when the zero hour arrives.

An nouncement has been made that the hours for the entertainments will be 2:00 in the afternoon and S:15 in the evening.

Success Assured

Success financially for this year's cnauiauqua nas practically been assured. Monday evening at the meeting of the chautauqua committe in the basement of the library, it was found that 383 adult tickets and 26 childrens

Since that time, the ticket committes has been at woork, however, and there have been sixty-five sold since the last official report.

Naturally, the receipts will grow to quite a good l amount and that, will help materially.

At the meeting Monday night it was announced that the Library Hoard had agreed to let the chautauqua use the library piano.

Offer Sitonq Pronram .

The program for the tive days is cne of the strongest that has ever appeared in Culver.

Ihe music numbers of the week are of the verjy best in their line, They come to Culvcr with high recommendations am will probably receive a hearty hand The lecturers are strong men am women. They are people of afairs and know full well the subjects which they discourse.

For a real afternoon of fun, no one should miss the humorist lecture of Doctor H. W. Sears who appears on the program the last afternoon. He is a serean and keeps his audience in convulsion1 continually. His subject for the afternoon will be l "Don't Worry."

Everything points to five days oi real enjoyment and entertainment for the community..l>

Chautauqua Committee To Meet Next Monday

A special meeting of those of this community who signed the contract for the chautauques this simmer is called for next Monday night, June 8th, at 7:30 o'clock in the auditorium of the public library.

This is a very important meeting as plans for the work will be thoroughly discuseed and committess will be appointed for the coming event.

No signer should be absent from this meeting for he well be held resposinble for a certain number of tickets. It is to each person's interest to be there.

The folllowing are the signers:

C. L. Slonaker,	Doon Cromley,	F. G. Solomon,	M. H. Ewald,	T. E. Slatery,
C. E. Medbourn,	Muldred Busart,	Mrs. W. O. Osborn,	A. M. Roberts,	M. E. Jones,
H. E. Mikesell,	C. E. Reed,	A. R. McKesson,	W. S. Easterday,	F. C. Leitnaker,
E. W. Koontz,	W. M. Hand,	J. F. Tapy,	H. Zechiel,	Earl Adams,
D. W. Marks,	A. A. Keen,	Jack Milner,	Charles Dickerson,	Jerome Zechiel,
W. O. Osborn,	C. W. Newman,	A. M. Romig,	G. W. Overmyer,	and C. D. Behmer.

- 3 Jun 1925

1925 - June 17 - Nine wonderful programs replete with entertainment and eductional features, will fill each afternoon and evening of the five-day Chautaugua season in Culver on July 1-5, under the auspices of the Midland Chautauquas