As I begin my service as president of Chautauqua Institution, I want to take a moment to say thank you.
Throughout the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet many of you and to renew my understanding of the people, traditions and relationships that make Chautauqua such a remarkable place. Everywhere I turn, I encounter a commitment to this Institution’s mission and a shared belief in the power of thoughtful and respectful dialogue, lifelong learning, artistic expression and that famous Chautauqua sense of community.
Long before I had the privilege of serving as president, Chautauqua held a special place in my heart. Chautauqua has been part of my family’s story for generations. My grandfather and father both worked here, and my brother and sister did, too. Some of my earliest memories are connected to this place and the values it represents.
That personal history gives me an even greater appreciation for what makes this community so unique. Chautauqua's ability to bring people together across differences, encourage curiosity and inspire engagement with the issues of our time remains as important today as ever.
In the months ahead, my focus will be on listening and learning. I hope to hear your perspectives and work alongside you to build on Chautauqua's many strengths and ensure that this Institution continues to thrive for generations to come.
In that spirit, I invite you to join me for a community webinar at 2 p.m. on Nov. 10. This conversation will provide an opportunity to share updates, discuss priorities for the future and answer your questions. I hope you will join us and ask that you register using the link below.
I look forward to our conversations, and thank you for welcoming me into this role and for the kindness so many of you have already shown to my family and me. I am excited to meet many more of you in the days and months ahead and to carry Chautauqua's mission forward together.
With gratitude,
Mark Johnson
President
Chautauqua Institution
A Conversation With Mark Johnson, Chautauqua Institution's 19th President
As Mark Johnson begins his role as the 19th president of the Institution, he is spending time listening to and learning from the people who make Chautauqua what it is.
His connection to this community, commitment to lifelong learning and belief in exploring the best in human values continue to shape his vision for the Institution’s future.
We invite you to get to know Mark a little better and hear more about the experiences and aspirations he brings to the presidency.
As Chautauqua looks ahead to the months and years to come, we invite you to join President Mark Johnson for his first Community Webinar. During this live online conversation, Mark will share updates following the November Board of Trustees meeting and answer questions from the community.
Whether you’re a year-round resident, seasonal homeowner, donor, volunteer or longtime friend of Chautauqua, this is an opportunity to hear directly from Chautauqua's new president and stay informed about the work shaping the Institution’s future.
Register today and submit your questions in advance. A recording will be provided to all registrants who are unable to attend live.
The Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees met on August 29 during the final weekend of the 2026 Summer Season. Board Chair Laurie Branch shares an update on the Board’s discussions and actions, including the 2027 financial framework, housing and campus planning, trustee transitions, leadership and governance, and the work ahead as Chautauqua prepares for its next chapter.
What an outstanding season 2026 was for the Department of Religion, with moments of inspiration, enlightenment and even difficult conversations.
The most common question I received during my first season as director of religion was, “How strong is the Religion pillar at Chautauqua these days?” My answer was often, “That all depends on your angle of vision and ultimately it depends on each of us.”
It can be as strong as you experience it yourself, given there are enough opportunities for strengthening your faith and religious traditions that you could ever take advantage of in one season.
Or it can be as weak as the difference between your own expectations for religion here and its reality in our world, given difficult changes in our national attention to religion.
Celebrating the 2026 Chautauqua Lecture Series and Looking Forward to What’s Next
with Jordan Steves, Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education
It has been four weeks since we last gathered together and shared in the wonder and awe that Chautauqua provides. For the Education pillar, that means the Amphitheater lecturers and Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle authors you engage with all summer, opportunities to deepen your learning and insight through the Masters Series, and the beloved community spaces and programs at the Smith Memorial Library and Oliver Archives Center.
My colleagues and I, who oversee these programs, are incredibly proud of what we accomplished in 2026. It was so gratifying to realize many months of dreaming and planning as it became a living, breathing program — and to witness you all engaging so deeply with it.
Beginning Oct. 1, Chautauqua Institution will transition to the following off-season gate hours:
Main Auto Gate: Open 24/7
Staffed 6 p.m.–6 a.m.
Main Walkthrough Gate: Open 24/7
Turner Gate: 6 a.m.–6 p.m.
Market Gate: 6 a.m.–6 p.m.
South Gate: 6 a.m.–6 p.m.
Elm Gate: 6 a.m.–6 p.m.
Bryant Gate: 6 a.m.–6 p.m.
Off-Season Parking Reminder
Although the Summer Season has ended, all parking regulations remain in effect throughout the off-season.
Please continue to obey all parking signage, traffic signs, designated parking areas and other posted restrictions while on Chautauqua Institution grounds. The end of the season does not mean parking or traffic rules are suspended.
The speed limit throughout Chautauqua Institution grounds remains 12 mph.
Please follow all posted signs and markings at all times.
Bicycle Collection and Storage
This week, Chautauqua Institution’s Safety & Security Department will conduct a sweep of the grounds to collect bicycles that appear to have been abandoned.
To avoid having your bicycle collected inadvertently, please remove any bicycle you own from Institution-owned bike racks and store it on your own property no later than the end of this week.
Once the collection effort begins, any bicycle left in a Chautauqua-owned bike rack will be considered abandoned and may be removed. Bicycles collected by Safety & Security will be secured and held for later retrieval by their owners.
If you have questions or believe your bicycle may have been collected, please contact the Safety & Security Department at 716-357-6225 or safetyandsecurity@chq.org.
Fall Operations Hours and Services On Grounds
Dining
Athenaeum Hotel Lobby Lounge
Athenaeum Hotel, 3 South Lake Drive Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
The Double Eagle Patio on the Green
Chautauqua Golf Club, 4731 W. Lake Road Hours: Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m. (or dusk), Sunday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Thursday: Closed
Shopping
Chautauqua Bookstore
67 Bestor Plaza, lower level of the Post Office Building Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Chautauqua Golf Club Pro Shop
4731 W. Lake Road Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Services & Amenities
Soap Opera Coin Laundry
Massey Avenue, next to Chautauqua Safety and Security Self-service laundry: Daily, 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Wash & Fold: Pickup and drop-off daily, 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
St. Elmo Spa
1 Pratt Ave., St. Elmo Concourse Hours: By appointment
Open year-round
Lodging
Athenaeum Hotel
3 South Lake Drive
Open through Oct. 24, 2026
Celebrate the flavors and traditions of Oktoberfest during Chautauqua’s annual celebration. Share a hearty German feast and take in the lively folk tunes and festive energy of The Bergholz German Band or make a weekend of it with an exclusive special event package available through the Athenaeum Hotel. Gather with friends, raise a stein and experience an evening of food, music and fall fun.
