Chautauqua!

Photos from Trails Along the Pipestone 1981 Pages 431-432

Is this a word that’s new to you? It certainly wouldn’t have been if you lived in Reston or anywhere around during the first part of the last century. Thanks to an extensive write up in Trails Along the Pipestone (1981) and a Macleans article online here, let me tell you what  I have learned about them.

Chautauqua Lake in New York State was the summer retreat of the wealthy in the early 1900’s. Shows were held to entertain the elite and it was decided that they could take these shows to the masses with travelling tent shows. Several companies fanned out over the United States beginning in 1904 and they moved into Canada as well a decade or so later.

  
Reston may have made its connection in 1917 through a local girl, Muriel Bulloch (1901-1990). She was eldest daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Guthrie) Bulloch who worked as an advance agent for the show. She married Arthur Elsey in Calgary in 1926 so I assume this happened in her single days. Thanks for Verna and John Olenick for the photo of the 5 Bulloch sisters. Muriel would arrive a few days before the event and check with the local committee about how ticket sales were going. Local committees consisted of about 40 citizens who sponsored the Chautauqua to entertain and educate the people of the area. Local merchants were also eager for the extra shoppers they would bring to town. Matinee and evening performances were held over 6 days - no two were the same. Many families from outside town made a week holidays of it and stayed with friends or camped.  The ad in the Reston Recorder below from 1922 says the cost of all 11 shows was $3.00 for a family.  Professionals offered plays, music, and lectures after arriving and leaving Reston by either train or automobile. Muriel Bulloch was the Mistress of Ceremonies to introduce each performer.

Some of talent mentioned over the years includes:

-Dr Shiera - Chinese lecturer
-Judge Landis of Chicago
-Mrs Beyea - survivor of the 1905 Mount Pele eruption
-Vilhjalmur Steffanson the  Arctic explorer
-Private Peet of WW1

-Ralph Martin Erwin who went on to start Salisbury House Restaurant Chain and their famous nips

-An opera - Mikato

-Swiss Bell Ringers

-Don Cassock Russian Choir

-Al Viera Hawaiian Orchestra

-Junior Performance Choirs like the one pictured below that I found online

 

Junior Chautauqua in Reston from Glenbow Archives - July 23, 1927

  Picture from Glenbow Archives -Identified as Herbert Lennecke, Morgan Skinner, Jerry Creasy, Mr. Brayford, Mr Miner, Dr. Julian B Arnold (Order unknown) July 25, 1927 at Chautauqua in Reston

The location for Chautauqua in Reston was at first near the school, about where the rink is now.  Others recalled a spot on the northeast corner of town and still others remember the tents set up at the Memorial Park. Shows began in 1917 but by 1930, several factors saw the shows discontinued. Lack of discretionary money, availability of radios in homes and improved automobiles and roads allowing wider travel was the end of the Chautauqua in rural Manitoba.

Now you know what I do about this special time and events in Reston history.  I would be glad to hear what you know! ssimms@escape.ca