Lake Tahoe Historical Society holding Chautauqua 2018 in honor of 50th anniversary

The Lake Tahoe Historical Society is celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2018, and part of that celebration is Chautauqua at Lake Tahoe on August 18 at the Duke Theatre on the campus of Lake Tahoe Community College.

Professional actors will portray local figures in history, Duane L. Bliss, Lillian Virgin Finnegan and George Whittell, Jr. Doug Mishler will perform as Bliss, Kim Harris as Finnegan and Steve Hale as Whittell.

Chautauqua, pronounced shə-TAW-kwə, was an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It started in 1874 on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in New York as an educational summer camp. During the days without news traveling far through traditional means, the Chautauqua become an assembly that expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers, and specialists of the day.

Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying that Chautauqua is "the most American thing in America".

At the Lake Tahoe Chautauqua, the actors will portray their historical character in an entertaining, and educational, way.

There will also be a massive raffle and silent auction, heavy appetizers from Cork & More, commemorative wine/beer glasses for sale. They will also have libations and music as well.

Come dressed in costume of an era gone by and be eligible to win a great prize voted on by the audience.

Lake Tahoe Historical Society members are $50, non-members are $55 and groups of 10 are $480 (just $48 each!).

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the show starts at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at the museum, open Thurs-Sat 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or by calling 530.541.5458. There may not be any available at the door.