When Ohio was the western frontier

It’s hard to believe that Ohio was once the wild Western frontier of the infant United States of America, but it was the pioneering spirit of the early Ohioans and the historical figures who passed through “the heart of it all” that helped to define the great state and nation to come.

To commemorate the state’s rich history, the Ohio Humanities Council will present the 15th annual tour of Ohio Chautauqua, a free event that takes place at the Rossford Public Library from Tuesday, July 9 through Saturday, July 13. Chautauquas were gatherings of speakers, musicians and educators that were popular in rural America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Teddy Roosevelt once proclaimed that Chautauquas were “the most American thing in America.” Today, the tradition lives on with the Ohio Chautauqua 2013, which features five total actors and actresses who will don costume and perform as Johnny Appleseed, frontier aristocrat Margaret Blennerhasset, Iroquois Chief John Logan, Lewis & Clark Expedition member York, and the Commodore Oliver ‘Hazard’ Perry respectively.

Each of the five days is dedicated to one of these historical figures, and will incorporate relevant discussions, lectures and music performances throughout the program culminating with a theatrical workshop by the historical character of the day at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Rossford.

Each day provides a packed schedule of educational and informative entertainment that will be fun for the whole family. Ohio Chautauqua participants will become more knowledgeable about American history and create unforgettable memories while doing it.

All workshops will be at the Rossford Public Library, 720 Dixie Hwy., Rossford. 10am, children; 2pm, adults. Free. All performances will be at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 300 Hannum Ave., Rossford. 6:30pm, music; 7:30pm, scholar. www.ohiohumanities.org
 

It’s hard to believe that Ohio was once the wild Western frontier of the infant United States of America, but it was the pioneering spirit of the early Ohioans and the historical figures who passed through “the heart of it all” that helped to define the great state and nation to come.

To commemorate the state’s rich history, the Ohio Humanities Council will present the 15th annual tour of Ohio Chautauqua, a free event that takes place at the Rossford Public Library from Tuesday, July 9 through Saturday, July 13. Chautauquas were gatherings of speakers, musicians and educators that were popular in rural America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Teddy Roosevelt once proclaimed that Chautauquas were “the most American thing in America.” Today, the tradition lives on with the Ohio Chautauqua 2013, which features five total actors and actresses who will don costume and perform as Johnny Appleseed, frontier aristocrat Margaret Blennerhasset, Iroquois Chief John Logan, Lewis & Clark Expedition member York, and the Commodore Oliver ‘Hazard’ Perry respectively.

Each of the five days is dedicated to one of these historical figures, and will incorporate relevant discussions, lectures and music performances throughout the program culminating with a theatrical workshop by the historical character of the day at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Rossford.

Each day provides a packed schedule of educational and informative entertainment that will be fun for the whole family. Ohio Chautauqua participants will become more knowledgeable about American history and create unforgettable memories while doing it.

All workshops will be at the Rossford Public Library, 720 Dixie Hwy., Rossford. 10am, children; 2pm, adults. Free. All performances will be at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 300 Hannum Ave., Rossford. 6:30pm, music; 7:30pm, scholar. www.ohiohumanities.org