This Chautauqua trail map highlights the 18 Chautauquas in the U.S., each with different programs, but all with the same mission of bringing inspiration and building communities of learners. Photo provided by Mark Knecht.

Editor’s Note: This is the last of a three-part series describing the Chautauqua movement’s origins, evolution and future. Last week’s part-two described how the movement evolved. This week’s article describes Chautauqua today and the vision for the future.

By Mark Knecht
Chautauqua-Wawasee

SYRACUSE — Today, the Chautauqua movement stands as both a living legacy and a forward-looking beacon. What makes Chautauqua so remarkable is not just its history but its relevance.

At a time when society feels increasingly divided, truth feels fragile and digital overload threatens our attention and connection, Chautauqua invites us to slow down, listen deeply and believe in one another.
The Chautauqua movement helped shape America’s intellectual and cultural identity. It fostered generations of engaged citizens, informed voters, curious minds and compassionate hearts.

Here’s why this story matters right now: because we are living in an age of fragmentation. Of algorithm-driven bubbles. Of attention stretched thin and empathy stretched even thinner.

We are overloaded with information but starved for meaning.

We can “connect” 24/7 but feel more isolated than ever. And we’re good at broadcasting but terrible at listening.

Chautauqua reminds us there’s another way. It invites us to slow down. To show up. To gather — yes, in person — and say: Let’s talk. Let’s think. Let’s disagree, respectfully. Let’s practice being citizens again.

At its heart, Chautauqua is about curiosity; curiosity not just about facts, but about life and each other.
So, the next time someone asks you, “What is Chautauqua?” — you can tell them this:

“Chautauqua, Where America Gathers” focuses on the theme of togetherness and community. The phrase reminds us of the impact of the Chautauqua movement: bringing educational and cultural enrichment to communities across the nation. Photo provided by Mark Knecht.

Chautauqua isn’t a place. It’s a mindset. It’s growing. It’s life-long learning. It’s a culture of caring and giving. Artistic immersion. Recreational renewalaAnd reflective spaces.

Chautauqua-Wawasee was born out of the Chautauqua movement because of its roots in a church camp on another lake — Lake Wawasee. It, too, had its history steeped in Methodism along with Victorian cottages in a beautiful setting known as Oakwood Park. As Oakwood transitioned to become Oakwood Resort, there was a strong desire to maintain the Chautauqua experience it provided, grounded in the four Chautauqua pillars: arts, education, faith and recreation.

Today, operating as a nonprofit organization run by volunteers, it provides programs the 1874 Chautauqua founders would recognize and be proud of.

Chautauqua welcomes you to become part of our community of learners, questioners and explorers of beauty around us and in us, as we navigate the world in which we live.