Once in a while I find a place that is known for its history and such is the case with the Chautauqua movement. For all history lovers this is a must see place. The history of Chautauqua tells us that the original group began in Northwest New York in 1874 at the Chautauqua Lake and the founders were John Heil Vincent and Lewis Miller. Somehow, the beauty of this location seemed to be the perfect place for John Vincent, a Methodist leader, to hold Sunday School Assembly. This Chautauqua movement is referred to as “The Mother Chautauqua.” (photo credit: wfrc.org)

The Florida Chautauqua

Often referred to as an “Independent Daughter” of the movement, the Florida Chautauqua began on February 10, 1885 in DeFuniak Springs located in Walton County. The format of the group emphasized religious training and educational activities in areas of philosophy, theology, music and art. Entertainment was also established in the form of concerts and lectures geared to be educational in nature. History tells us that by 1886 visitors to the Assembly attended lectures on Julius Caesar, Cicero’s writings, Rome and Hannibal, Marius and Sulla as well as diverse topics on health, astronomy, and even love and marriage. (photo credit: floridachautauqua.com)

Several speakers took turns in giving lectures at the Florida Chautauqua but one of the first speakers was Wallace Bruce, a man who would play a key role in the direction of the Chautauqua Assembly. In 1888, Wallace Bruce was elected President of the Florida Chautauqua Association and he built his first home on Lake DeFuniak. It was through his efforts that the Hall of Brotherhood building was constructed.

During the 1940′s, the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood building was remodeled and became a city auditorium that hosted USO dances, the Grand Ol’ Opry, square dances, basketball games and wrestling matches. It was in this building that the West Florida Musical Festivals were held back in the 40′s. There was a popular celebration called “Birthday Club of the Air” that took place at the Hall of Brotherhood every year during the 50′s geared for senior citizens and the featured guest at the party was the oldest surviving member of the Civil War, Uncle Bill Lundy. Special events continued through the years that included such performers as Minnie Pearl and Grandpa Jones, Mario Lanza, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others.

In 1975, hurricane Eloise swept across the Florida panhandle in full force and destroyed the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood auditorium leaving only the front lobby intact. Somehow the decision was made not to rebuild but the residents of DeFuniak Springs never forgot their Chautauqua heritage and the role their community played during the Chautauqua era. Through the efforts of many of these people, funds were raised to restore the original Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood. After this, the old movie theatre was renovated and was renamed “The Florida Chautauqua Theatre.”

When renovation was completed, the residents of this community hosted a huge festival with recreational activities and even a beauty pageant but it wasn’t until Diane Pickett, a former resident of DeFuniak Springs returned in 1980 that the area experienced the re-birth of the Chautauqua Assembly. Diane Pickett was able to officially bring back to life the Florida Chautauqua Assembly in1996. Through her efforts, the Assembly is much like the original and includes lectures on history, health, art, current events along with entertainment from performers across the country. (photo credit: floridachautauqua.com)

Diane Pickett resigned as chair of the board of directors this year but left behind a well organized Florida Chautauqua Assembly designed as a four-day conference style event featuring keynote speakers, performances, special events, and even day sessions. The 2009 Assembly which took place at the beginning of this year was called “A Journey into Africa” featuring guest speakers like Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jim Fowler, from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and many more. The theme for the 2010 Assembly will be “A Journey into the Caribbean.”