“Illustrious, Noteworthy, and Novel: Writers and Illustrators of 19th Century America”

12th annual Chautauqua tent show to take place in Lewes, DE from June 20-24, 2010

Robert Gleason will portray Edgar Allan Poe on June 21.
 
        (Dover, DE—May 5, 2010)—A quintessentially American cultural experience will be brought to life during Delaware’s 12th annual Chautauqua tent show, “Illustrious, Noteworthy, and Novel: Writers and Illustrators of 19th Century America,” that will take place at a variety of downtown Lewes, Delaware locations from June 20–24, 2010. A preliminary schedule of events is attached. Admission is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-645-1148 or visit the Zwaanendael Museum on the Web.
 
        A unique mixture of education and entertainment, Lewes’ Chautauqua will be held under a large tent and will feature re-enactors who take on the persona of celebrated historical figures, educating and entertaining audiences as they bring the past to life. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the featured characters who will include Louisa May Alcott, Edgar Allan Poe, and Washington Irving.
 

Pat Jordan will portray Louisa May Alcott on June 20.
 
        Chautauqua takes its name from a series of adult education programs that were first held at a campsite on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in upstate New York during the late 19th century. Chautauquas spread throughout America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries bringing speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers, and specialists of the day to a wide cross-section of the nation’s rural and small-town population. Circuit Chautauquas (or colloquially, Tent Chautauquas) were an itinerant manifestation of the movement. Programs would be presented in tents pitched in a field near town. After several days, the Chautauqua would fold its tents and move on to the next community. The popularity of Chautauquas peaked in the mid-1920s, after which radio, movies, and automobiles brought about the gradual disappearance of the movement by the 1940s.
 

Tent from a previous Delaware Chautauqua.
 
        Reborn in the 1970s as a vehicle for humanities education, modern Chautauquas are organized around a core program in which re-enactors take on the persona of celebrated historical figures, speaking and interacting with audiences, often in the setting of a large outdoor tent. In Delaware, modern Chautauquas have been presented annually since 1999 under the auspices of the Delaware Humanities Forum featuring a wide variety of historical figures including the Lone Ranger, John Philip Sousa, Clifford Brown, Benjamin Franklin, Annie Oakley, Mark Twain, Harriet Tubman, and Delaware patriot Caesar Rodney. In 2010, Delaware’s 12th annual Chautauqua tent show is co-sponsored by the Lewes Historical Society and the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, with grant support from the Delaware Humanities Forum.
 
        The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the state's first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch along Hoorn Kill (present-day Lewes-Rehoboth Canal) in 1631. Designed by E. William Martin (architect of Legislative Hall and the Hall of Records in Dover), the museum is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, and features a stepped facade gable with carved stonework and decorated shutters. The museum’s exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military, and social history. In addition to the 2010 Chautauqua tent shows, the museum is currently featuring the exhibit, “Maritime History on the Delaware” which showcases over 11,000 years of Lewes history and culture supported by an array of artifacts, maps, sketches, lithographs, and photographs; and “Rediscovery Through Recovery” which displays artifacts from the wreck of a British commercial ship that ran aground near Lewes’ Roosevelt Inlet in the late 18th century.
 

Zwaanendael Museum
 
        The Lewes Historical Society is committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of Lewes, Delaware—one of America's most historic towns. As part of its mission, the society maintains twelve beautifully restored historic properties, dating from 1665 to 1898. Open for public visitation, these properties, in conjunction with the society’s educational programs and special events, help to tell Lewes’ story of maritime adventure, architectural elegance, and over 375 years of colonial charm.
 
 
The Zwaanendael Museum is administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, an agency of the State of Delaware. HCA enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality, and providing educational programs and assistance to the general public on Delaware history and culture. HCA’s diverse array of services includes administration of the state’s historic preservation office, operation of museums and a conference center, and management of historic properties across Delaware. Primary funding for HCA’s programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, a federal agency.
 
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“Illustrious, Noteworthy, and Novel:
Writers and Illustrators of 19th Century America”
 
12th annual Chautauqua tent show
Lewes, Delaware, June 20–24, 2010
 
Preliminary schedule of events
(As of April 22, 2010)
 
Free admission for all events
 
Sunday, June 20, 2010
“‘Illustrious’ (adjective)—extremely distinguished and deservedly famous.” Activities include a historical theater portrayal of the 1860s at 4 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by E. Shawn Qaissaunee of Wilmington performing old blues and spirituals, and culminating at 7 p.m. when Pat Jordan of the American Historical Theatre portrays Louisa May Alcott. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 4–8 p.m. 302-645-1148.
 
Monday, June 21, 2010
“‘Novel’ (adjective)—new and different in an unusual way.” Daytime activities include illustration demonstrations and a historical re-enactor portraying O.C. Darley, a Delaware artist who illustrated works by Poe and Irving at 4 p.m.; followed at 5 p.m. by a performance by Muzette, a cello and flute duo; and culminating at 7 p.m. when Robert Gleason of the American Historical Theatre portrays Edgar Allan Poe. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 4–8 p.m. 302-645-1148.
 
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tad Jones and the Harbor Town Band. Island/country-rock band performs as part of Lewes’ Summer Concert Series. Stango Park, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. 7 p.m. 302-645-1148.
 
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
“‘Noteworthy’ (adjective)—deserving notice or attention usually because of excellence.” Events include Delaware Libraries Learning Journeys at 4 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by an old-time radio show presented by the Ad Hoc Touring Company, and culminating at 7p.m. when Neill Hartley of the American Historical Theatre portrays Washington Irving. Lewes Historical Society Complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes. 4-8 p.m. 302-645-7670.
 

On June 23, Neill Hartley will portray both Washington Irving and the character Ichabod Crane from Irving’s novel, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
 
Thursday, June 24, 2010
“‘Moving (adjective)—arousing emotion; in a state of movement.” Film (title TBA) by the Wilmington-based production company Teleduction at 4 p.m., followed at 8 p.m. by the screening of a 2nd film (title TBA) presented in partnership with the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. Lewes Historical Society Complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes. 4-8 p.m. 302-645-7670.
 
 
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