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Crete Chautauqua Tuxedo Park July 13-17, 2001 Tuxedo Park was historic site for July 13-17 Chautauqua With the 2001 Great Plains Chautauqua, the large public performance tent once again was raised at historic Tuxedo Park, where one of the original Chautauqua buildings still stands. Jerome Kills Small as Ohiyesa (Dr. Charles Eastman) appeared July 13; John Lehman as Theodore Roosevelt, July 14; Jeffrey Smith as Andrew Carnegie, July 15; Charles Everett Pace as Booker T. Washington, July 16; and Helen Lewis as Jane Addams, July 17. Crete has a long Chautauqua history, beginning in 1882, when the first Nebraska Assembly of the Chautauqua movement was held there at “Chautauqua Park” (now Tuxedo Park) on the Big Blue River. Each year between 3,000 and 5,000 people attended the 10-day event for religious and political activities and entertainment. Although a century has passed since Crete hosted these official Chautauquas, the tradition continues in similar events sponsored by Doane College, Crete Public Schools and local community groups. Crete is justifiably proud of its heritage, and a marker now stands inside Tuxedo Park recalling the city’s Chautauqua history. The Crete Chautauqua Committee hosted historical tours, old-fashioned sing-alongs, Czech music, a quilt show, vintage car and tractor show, and a variety of local entertainment. The first annual Youth Chautauqua in Nebraska also was a featured portion of the Chautauqua in Crete.

For more information, contact the Nebraska Humanities Council. Phone 402-474-2131 or e-mail nhc@nebraskahumanities.org.

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