An educational and entertaining tradition that dates back more than a century has pitched its tent, literally, in Council Bluffs. It’s called Chautauqua, named for old-time camp meetings first held in the 1870s beside Lake Chautauqua in upstate New York.Laurel Ronk is project coordinator of the event for the Bluffs Arts Council. She says a variety of characters will be appearing out of our nation’s past at the Chautauqua, including Booker T-Washington, Jane Adams, Andrew Carnegie and Teddy Roosevelt.A Chautauqua was held in Council Bluffs in 1889 which lasted 16 days. It provided cultural, arts, humanities and other educational experiences for the gathered crowds. Ronk says the Chautauqua is a place to expand the mind and learn much more about ourselves, our history and where we’re headed.The event is being staged under a huge circus-style tent at Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs through Tuesday.
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