Pennsylvania Chautauqua

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Upcoming Meetings and Notices

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Chautauqua Board of Managers Meeting

Wednesday, October 11th @ 7pm

Hall of Philosophy

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Welcome to The Pennsylvania Chautauqua

The purpose and mission of The Pennsylvania Chautauqua shall be the advancement of literary, scientific, intellectual, physical and social welfare and the promotion of cultural and religious activity, recreation and entertainment.

For over 125 years the Pennsylvania Chautauqua has been a quiet retreat where art, culture, spiritualism, nature and community come together.

The Pennsylvania Chautauqua is located in the borough of Mount Gretna, a small Victorian community founded in the late 1800’s as a summer resort. Initially the only way for residents to reach their cottages in the tree-covered rolling hills of south central Pennsylvania was to travel by train. Mount Gretna was a stop along the Cornwall Lebanon Railroad line that has since become the Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails. Our streets were footpaths until automobiles became the mode of travel. Many of the original cottages surround an open-air playhouse where numerous cultural events are held. Our quaint atmosphere attracts many visitors every summer for Gretna Music, the Original Mt. Gretna Cicada Music Festival, Gretna Theater, and the Mount Gretna Area Historical Society, a visit to the local ice cream shop and lake, or just a walk in the woods. While we enjoy our quiet winters, we welcome with open arms the visitors who come to experience the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, stroll the tree lined streets, admire the historical buildings and participate in the variety of programs we offer to fulfill our mission.

What Is A Chautauqua?

Chautauqua was founded as an outdoor educational experience for Sunday school teachers by John Heyl Vincent, a Methodist Minister and Lewis Miller, a local businessman on Lake Chautauqua, New York in 1874. The summer camp format proved to be popular with families - thus began The Chautauqua Institute. After its inception the movement spread rapidly through the United States, bringing education, culture, physical and religious activities as well as entertainment to rural America. There were over two hundred Chautauquas at the height of the movement. The advent of the automobile, the radio and movie theaters caused the demise of most of the Chautauquas.

Chautauqua today is organized around its four pillars: Arts, Education, Religion, and Recreation. Each area is woven into the schedules of the Chautauquas.

If you are interested in learning more about the programming offered by the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, view our Summer Programs.

You can learn more about Chautauquas by visiting one of the 17 existing Chautauquas that comprise the Chautauqua Trail and by visiting the following web site. http://www.chautauquatrail.com

To support our mission please donate to the Pennsylvania Chautauqua FoundationThe Chautauqua Foundation operates within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Charitable donations are tax deductible.

2023 Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show