Salisbury Bandstand & Chatauqua
During the early 1900s, a Chautauqua was all the rage!
So what is a Chautauqua?
The movement began in New York in 1874, when John Vincent and Lewis Miller rented a Methodist camp site to use as a summer school for Sunday school teachers. A site whose name describes the shape of Chautauqua Lake in Southwest New York. Vincent and Miller’s intent was educational rather than revivalist in nature and was therefore not associated with any one religious denomination.
The scope of the original Chautauqua, soon broadened to include adult education of all kinds – primarily to those of the working and middle-class. Later, arts and public affairs, concerts and social events made their way into what became known as a Chautauqua. An event that was primarily hosted in mainly rural, mid-western areas.
According to Teddy Roosevelt, the Chautauqua is “A source of positive strength, refreshment of mind and body to come to meet a typical American, in that it is typical of America at its best.”
Teddy Roosevelt’s quote refers to a “typical American.” This was a praised Americans as being intellectual, seeking moral self-improvement, and civic involvement – attributes Americans placed high emphasis upon during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Salisbury was the location for numerous County-wide Chautauqua rallies during this time. Most notable according to the newspaper reports, were those held in 1907 and 1910.
One of the finest Chautauquas to be held in Salisbury, was in the summer of 1907 at the College Grounds. The Chariton Courier described the event as “A Chautauqua, however, is really a good thing for people. … It is elevating mentally and morally and gives relief from the dull monotony of everyday business cares. It will do us all good by removing the cobwebs from our brains and the rust from our minds. Let’s all go to the Chautauqua.”
The 1910, the Salisbury Chautauqua highlighted the guest lecturer “The Great Commoner” William Jennings Bryan, who lectured on the subject of “The Price of a Soul – His Greatest Masterpiece.” The Chariton Courier called him “The greatest living orator” – a pompous title Mr. Bryan likely gave himself.
At this very location, in the middle of Broadway there was once a beautiful bandstand gazebo. Countless musical performances were played here, for all of town to enjoy. One such performance was during the 1910 Chautauqua.
One of the highlights of the festival, were the musical performances by the twenty-four piece Royal Italian Guards Band, traveling with Humorist (comedian) Walter Eccles. From the Friday 19, 1910 edition of the Chariton Courier: “Royal Italian Guards Band Led by Signor Pasqualle Ferrante of World Renown! … The Royal Italian Guards Band is a great musical machine, with the integral parts made of human beings. The instrumentations makes possible the tremendous volume of music that is the band’s distinguishing feature. The very air is made to quake before the tremendous blasts. … But it is in the full swing of the great ensemble that the band’s real power appears. The peal upon peal from the throats of the giant instruments set the atmosphere aquake. The blood speeds on with quickened pulse – the nerves tingle with sympathy – the band has scored another triumph!”
The Chautauquas will ever hold its place in Salisbury history as the most well attended events. Certainly educational, social, musical, and festive gatherings for the books!
Clue
As you go south, you’ll encounter pages of history, suspense, romance and fiction all gathered together in one location as dreamed of by Mr. Dulany.