August 1 – 5, 2006

The theme of this year’s entertaining and educational series of programs, re-enactments, workshops, and children’s activities is “The Civil War: A House Divided.”  Living history portrayals under the Chautauqua tent each evening bring to life characters involved in the conflict.  Come watch dramatizations of Underground Railroad ”conductor” Harriet Tubman and editor Frederick Douglass.  Listen to actors portraying U.S. President Abe Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Period music sets the mood each evening at 6 PM.

There are also a number of daytime and children’s programs.  “From nose-pulling to Opera:  Amusements in Antebellum America” by Doug Misher certainly sounds entertaining.  Another possibility is “Military Ethics: Oxymoron or Necessity?” by Ted Kachel.  With what I remember learning about the Civil War, I’d be fascinated to know what they taught the soldiers about military ethics!  On a much lighter note, the Saturday feature of “Miss Tabitha’s Underwear Show and Victorian Ball Lessons” should prove quite amusing!

Children’s programs include African and African-American Folktales, Dear Mr. President, and other participatory activities.

Be sure to attend the music performances, dance performances and lessons, and even the artillery & rifle firing demonstrations.

Click here for the schedule of events and locations