The Chautauqua Movement and Its Influence on Adult Education Theory and Practice Today

What is Chautauqua? What contributions were made to adult education theory and practice by three early Chautauquan leaders: John Vincent, Lewis Miller, and William Rainey Harper? How did they handle certain administrative tasks? This article briefly introduces the reader to the Chautauqua Institution that then became the Chautauqua Movement. It will also explore the movement's role and founders' contributions in defining what adult education is today. The early leaders of this popular education movement also called upon not only their instructional genius but also their administrative, managerial, and business acumen to ensure the success of the Chautauqua Institution in providing educational opportunity to an increasing number of adults. Three specific administrative duties of these early adult educators are examined and then likened to the responsibilities of today's educators: (1) overseeing finances; (2) handling rewards; and (3) responding to competition. The authors' intent is to (re)introduce today's educators to some of the Chautauqua contributions made to adult education theory and practice while also likening their relevant administrative practices to today's adult education programs.