Five noted Americans will educate and entertain Warren County residents (of all ages) as they explore their lives and legacies.

 

OHIO CHAUTAUQUA is an annual event produced by the Ohio Humanities Council (OHC). Five Ohio communities are selected each year to host these first-person historical portrayals. This is a joint venture of OHC and the Warren County History Center.

 

Lebanon, OH has been designated to launch the first community event, June 17 – 21. The main performances and events will take place at the Warren County History Center (105 South Broadway), the Lebanon Conservancy (27 North Mechanic Street), the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (South Street and Mechanic Street), and Harmon Park.

 

The innovators and inventors include:

 

Thomas Edison – inventor (portrayed by Hank Fincken)
Mary McCloud Bethune – educator (portrayed by Dorothy Mains Prince)
Andrew Carnegie – industrialist (portrayed by George Dauler)
George Washington Carver – scientist (portrayed by Paxton Williams)
Alexander Graham Bell – inventor (portrayed by Michael Hughes)

 

These characters will share some of their fascinating experiences and help us to better understand how their innovations moved America and the world toward a better way of life. Discussions with these characters will also help us examine current topics such as business ethics, race relations, education, philanthropy, women’s issues, and pop culture.

 

OHIO CHAUTAUQUA programs are free and fun for the entire family. Each evening a trained scholar will assume the costume and character of an historical figure, presenting an exciting and engaging living history performance.

 

Everyone meets under the old-fashioned red & white striped Chautauqua tent to learn from and talk with famous characters from our past. In addition to the major living history presentations, each scholar will present daytime workshops for children and adults in venues throughout the Lebanon community.

 

 

The Plant Doctor – Youth workshop by Paxton Williams
10 a.m. – Warren County History Center

The Gospel of Wealth According to Carnegie – Adult workshop by George Dauler
2 p.m. - Warren County History Center

Evening performance at Harmon Park
6 p.m. – Back Forty Blues Band, food and vendors
7 p.m. – Thomas Edison by Hank Fincken

 

Becoming Thomas Edison – Youth Workshop by Hank Fincken
10 a.m. – Lebanon Conservancy Foundation

Mothers of Invention – Adult Workshop by Michael Hughes
2 p.m. - Lebanon Conservancy Foundation

Evening performance at Harmon Park
6 p.m. – musical performance and food vendors
7 p.m. – Mary McCloud Bethune by Dorothy Mains Prince

 

Children and Grandchildren at the Table with Mr. Bell – Youth workshop by Michael Hughes
10 a.m. - Warren County History Center

So you, too, want to be a Chautauqua performer – Adult workshop by Hank Fincken
2 p.m. - Warren County History Center

Evening performance at Harmon Park
6 p.m. – Back Forty Blues Band, food and vendors
7 p.m. – George Washington Carver by Paxton Williams

 

A Day at the Daytona Normal and Industrial School – Youth workshop by Dorothy Mains Prince
10 a.m. - Warren County History Center

Dr. Carver’s Contemporaries – Adult workshop by Paxton Williams
2 p.m. - Warren County History Center

Evening performance at Harmon Park
6 p.m. – musical performance and food vendors
7 p.m. – Andrew Carnegie by George Dauler

 

Making and Using Steel – Youth workshop by George Dauler
10:45 a.m. – Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad

Mrs. Bethune and the Roosevelt Administration – Adult workshop by Dorothy Prince
2 p.m. - Warren County History Center

Evening performance at Harmon Park
6 p.m. – Barbershop Quartet performing and food vendors
7 p.m. – Alexander Graham Bell by Michael Hughes

 

Bios of the scholars/presenters can be found at www.ohiohumanities.org

 

All events are free to the public. Sponsorship for the Lebanon event includes Embarq, LM&M Railroad, Minuteman Press, and the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

 

Chautauqua History:

The Chautauqua movement was founded in 1874 on the banks of New York’s Lake Chautauqua. The original intent was simply to edify rural teachers, but it soon became a place where thousands of families could gather together for several days of inspiration, education, and enjoyment. People came from miles around to hear speakers of national renown, enjoy live music and plays, and engage in an open forum on the great issues of their day.

 

In 1878, the New York Chautauqua initiated the first book club in our country, eventually sponsoring more than 10,000 local reading circles. The first traveling Chautauquas were introduced at the turn of the century reaching 35 million people in a year.

 

Teddy Roosevelt was so impressed by the radical democratic spirit of the original Chautauqua Tours, he exclaimed, “The Chautauqua is the most American thing in America.”