National Endowment for the Humanities

What Is Chautauqua? With origins in the late 19th century, Chautauqua combines oratory and lectures with literary readings and musical entertainment. In the past, these touring groups would entertain and inform people living on the Plains about political and cultural happenings. The name itself comes from a resort community in New York State where in 1875, a summer program of lectures, sermons and music attracted such enthusiastic audiences that within a few years similar … [Read more...] about Nebraska Chautauqua brings June 17-21 festival to Kearney, Frank House