“Chautauqua!” Mikki Schwarzkopf tells of the traveling shows of 100 years ago that fascinated Greene Countians

A century ago the hottest ticket for entertainment in Greene County – or sometimes for religious or educational programs — was for the “Chautauquas,” the traveling shows, lectures or religious rallies which often would pack 2,500 people into a huge tent set up every August at what today is known as Chautauqua Park in Jefferson.

Mikki Schwarzkopf, one of the most persistent researchers for the Greene County Historical Society, will present a program at 2 p.m. this Sunday, May 15, at the museum in Jefferson on nearly two years of occasional research she’s done into Chautauquas.

Her program and the refreshments are free.