Fountain Park Chautauqua

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The Fountain Park Chautauqua was created in 1895 by Remington Bank president Robert Parker. He envisioned an annual assembly to be held for people to discuss topics including religion, science, literature and the arts that was based on the Chautauqua movement that began in New York State in 1874. Chautauqua was a way for smaller communities to gain access to cultural and educational enrichment. It is estimated that, at its peak in popularity (1924-1925), there were 30 million people involved summer chautauquas at 12,000 communities around the country. Camp was in session during the summer and participants would take classes and enjoy a variety of speakers and entertainers.

Arranged in a large loop, the Fountain Park grounds originally contained a large area for tents (permanent cabins would come later), a tabernacle, a hotel and dining room, a shelter house, and other buildings on over 30 acres. At the center of the loop was a large shaded opening that served as a large gathering space and play area. Today, the grounds consist of 17 acres and there are permanent cabins in place of the tents but the remainder of the grounds at Fountain Park function as they did historically. Camp continues to meet every summer and visitors can either stay at the hotel or camp on the grounds. Fountain Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.