News

Tuesday marks the kickoff of the 2012 Ohio Chautauqua, an event sponsored by the Ohio Humanities Council.

 

This year's theme is "When Ohio Was The Western Frontier."

 

College Director of Auxiliaries Laurie McKain says the event includes daytime workshops around the city and nightly presentations under the tent at the college's DU Field.

 

Daytime workshops are for both children and adults, says McKain.  Children will learn things like popular games of the era, while scholars will discuss their research with adults.

 

"And then in the evening, the actual scholar goes on stage and is in full costume, acts like the character, gets interaction with the audience and then there's a time for question and answer," explained McKain.

 

This year's historic characters include Johnny Appleseed, Margaret Blennerhassett, Chief John Logan, Oliver Hazard Perry and a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition named York.

 

McKain says the local Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Campus Martius Museum and area businesses combined forces to put on the program.

 

The event coincides with two important anniversaries for the region, including the establishment of Marietta as an organized settlement.

 

"The Northwest Ordinance (of 1787) being put together here in Marietta and our 225th anniversary celebration starting this year, it was a perfect fit for us," says McKain.

 

The five-day program runs through Saturday. Marietta previously hosted the Ohio Chautauqua in 2000.

     

Visitors can receive program information at the college's tent at Fourth and Putnam Streets. 

 

Other Ohio Chautauqua cities include Urbana, Burton, Gallipolis and Warren.