The Chautauqua Movement began in 1874 on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in southwestern New York State. The name may have come from the Iroquois language meaning “two moccasins tied together” or “jumping fish.” John Vincent (1832-1920), a clergyman from Galena, Illinois, and Lewis Miller (1829-1899), a wealthy farm implement manufacturer from Akron, Ohio, developed the idea of holding educational programs in the woods. The original plan was to train Methodist Sunday School teachers for a week near the shore of Lake Chautauqua. The men thought being outdoors would be more inspirational for those attending.

John Vincent was born in Alabama and educated for the ministry in Pennsylvania. He was editor of several Sunday School publications. He was transferred to the Rock River Conference in Illinois in 1857. Lewis Miller became a millionaire by manufacturing safer harvesting and mowing equipment for farmers. He was a strong believer in Sunday School programs within churches.

Originally, four tents were set up in the woods for the 142 teachers. Word of mouth about the program spread quickly and fifteen thousand people came to hear the inspiring and edifying lectures. It was the beginning of a vast adult education program that lasted into the 1930s.

Later Chautauqua programs consisted of elocutionists, storytellers, impersonators, quartets, bell ringers, yodelers, bands, spiritualists, magicians, acting troupes and lecturers. Mark Twain, Robert Ingersoll, William Jennings Bryan, Robert LaFollette and Frances E. Willard were among the celebrities who spoke at scheduled Chautauqua programs across the country.

Some communities established their own independent Chautauqua programs. Permanent buildings and parks were constructed where the programs were conducted every summer. There are a number of them which still function today.

After 1900, the Circuit Chautauqua came to dominate the movement. Agents set up tents in rural communities on a prearranged schedule. The program speakers then traveled by train to each location. By 1915, more than 12,000 communities hosted a Chautauqua event. In rural areas, it brought people together to improve their minds and renew friendships.

When Carl Sandburg made his “Chicago plunge” he was employed as the assistant editor of The Lyceumite at $25 per week (equal to $718 in today's money). His job was to prepare copy for the magazine, encourage performers to advertise in it or, if they did advertise, to increase the size of their ads.

He met many platform speakers whom he admired. Others, he shook hands with, and knew they were “hypocrites, demagogues and tricksters.”

Competition was great between The Lyceumite and Talent, which was published in Philadelphia. The two publications were merged and then moved to Philadelphia. Sandburg remained in Chicago and became editor of The Opera House Guide. His job was to interest small town theater owners in courses similar to Chautauqua programs. Unfortunately, the theater owners were afraid of the religious subjects promoted on the Chautauqua circuits. They were accustomed to booking more colorful and exciting performers. The publication folded after five or six weeks and Sandburg was without a job.