Lincoln and the Civil War theme, endorsed by Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

The 16th President of the United States will come alive through his own words and the stories of those who knew him best when Nevada Humanities Chautauqua takes the stage at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in southwest Reno, June 22-26, 2008. Endorsed by the national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the theme for the 2008 Nevada Humanities Chautauqua is Lincoln and the Civil War.

Theme for 2008
As 2009 marks the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, and the Nevada Humanities Chautauqua will be the kick-off event of Nevada’s bicentennial celebration, this year’s program will examine Lincoln’s life, accomplishments, and legacy through the reminiscences of such historical characters as Mary Todd Lincoln, Lincoln’s private secretary and friend John Hay, abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and General Ulysses S. Grant.

About Chautauqua
Since 1992, Nevada Humanities has offered its Chautauqua, a well-loved summer cultural event featuring interactive performances by scholars who research, rehearse and present historic figures in full character, who then address their contemporary audiences.

For 2008, several major changes are slated to enhance the already popular summer program:

• New dates: June 22-26, 2008, Sunday through Thursday, with music at 6 p.m. and Chautauqua performances at 7 p.m. each evening

• New location: Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, in southwest Reno

• New name: Nevada Humanities Chautauqua (formerly Great Basin Chautauqua)

Refreshments
Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Picnics and drinks, including wine and other alcoholic beverages, are permitted in the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, however no glass is allowed in the amphitheater; all liquids must be transferred into unbreakable containers.

Individual tickets
General Admission for chairs and lawn: $15
Reserved seats: $30 (only available online)
Tickets will be available at the gate or online at www.nevadahumanities.org

Evening programs begin at 6 p.m. with lively music; the Chautauquans come on stage at 7 p.m.


• The 2008 Chautauqua evening performances at Bartley Ranch include:
Sunday, June 22
An evening of Young Chautauqua: Battle Born, 1840–1900, Civil War, Statehood, Westward Expansion
Music: Biggest Little Bluegrass Band
FREE

Monday, June 23
Frederick Douglass (Charles Pace), Anna Ella Carroll (Nicole Piechocki), Young Chautauqua performance
Music: Second Baptist Church Choir
General $15/ Reserved seating $30

Tuesday, June 24
Mary Todd Lincoln (Selene Phillips) and Jefferson Davis (Doug Mishler)
Music: Chris and Danita Bayer — Light and Airy, Celtic tunes on fiddle and whistle
General $15/ Reserved seating $30

Wednesday, June 25
Ulysses S. Grant (Frank Mullen), Jesse Benton Fremont (Rose Hodges), Young Chautauqua performance
Music: Great Basin Brass Quintet
General $15/ Reserved seating $30

Thursday, June 26
John Hay (Clay Jenkinson)
Music: Shiloh
General $15/ Reserved seating $30

• Chautauqua Community Events, free and open to all, include:
Coffee with the Chautauquans
Tuesday-Friday, June 24-27, 7:30-9 a.m.
Sundance Bookstore, 1155 West 4th Street, Reno
These coffees offer audience members an opportunity to continue the discussion begun at the amphitheater the evening before.
FREE

Young Chautauqua Performances
Monday-Thursday, June 23-26, 9 a.m.-noon
Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Reno
These events combine Young Chautauqua performances and hands-on craft activities for children.
Theme: Battle Born—1840 – 1900, Civil War, Statehood, Westward Expansion.
FREE

Chautauqua Films in the Library
Tuesday, June 24, 1 p.m.
South Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Parkway, Reno
The Red Badge of Courage(1951)
Moderator: Frank Mullen (General Grant)
FREE

Wednesday, June 25, 1 p.m.
Sparks Library, 1125 12th St., Sparks
Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)
Moderator: Selene Phillips (Mary Todd Lincoln)
FREE

Thursday, June 26, 1 p.m.
Northwest Reno Library, 2325 Robb Drive, Reno
Glory (1989)
Moderator: Charles Pace (Frederick Douglass)
FREE

Chautauqua Community Discussions
Tuesday, June 24, 1 p.m.
Truckee Meadows Community College, Sierra Building, Room 108
Lincoln and the West
Clay Jenkinson interviews noted western historian Richard Etulain
FREE

Wednesday, June 25, 1 p.m.
Truckee Meadows Community College, Sierra Building, Room 108
Panel discussion: Lincoln and Politics: learning from a consummate professional
Moderator: Clay Jenkinson
Panel: TBA
FREE

Thursday, June 26, 2008, 1 p.m.
Truckee Meadows Community College, Sierra Building, Room 108
Panel discussion: The American Soldier: From the Civil War to Iraq
Moderator, Clay Jenkinson
Panel: TBA
FREE

Chautauqua African American History Exhibits
Nevada Humanities, in partnership with the new Bethel African American Cultural Center, will present two exhibits on African American history.

The first, entitled Frederick Douglass from Slavery to Freedom: the Journey to New York City traces the great abolitionist’s life under slavery and his daring journey to freedom based upon selected excerpts from Douglass’ autobiography.

The second exhibit, Black Nevadans, covers African American history in the Silver State from early settlement through the 21st century.

The Bethel African American Cultural Center is located at 220 Bell St. in Reno. For more information, call (775) 355-9030 or 848-0578.

Recommended Reading
To prepare for Nevada Humanities Chautauqua, audience members are encouraged to consider reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.

For more information about the Nevada Humanities Chautauqua, visit www.nevadahumanities.org or call (775) 784-6587 or 1-800-382-5023.

For more information about the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, visit www.lincolnbicentennial.gov