CAMDEN — By TAMMY FRAZIER
Managing editor
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover has announced the schedule for the 19th Annual Natural State Chautauqua to be held on the museum grounds from June 6-8. This year’s theme is: “Women’s Suffrage & Prohibition: Win the Vote! End the Drink!” and will feature three interesting characters from Arkansas’s past: Carrie Chapman Catt, Jack Johnson and H.L. Mencken, states a news release.
The event is free of charge.
According to chautauqua.com, “Chautauqua” is an Iroquois word with a few meanings, one of which describes the shape of Chautauqua Lake, located in southwest New York. This area was the setting for the first educational assembly - the Chautauqua Institution - and provided the named to the movement.
Historical sources state that a “Chautauqua” was an adult education movement that was highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, showmen, preachers, and specialists of the day.
The news release from the museum in Smackover states that the Chautauqua is a first-person interpretation of American history by those who shaped the nation. Scholars are chosen from across the county to spend three days in south Arkansas to present their characters and hold additional workshops.
“They present the character, then take questions as the character and finally step out of character to answer questions as the scholar behind the historic figure,” states the release.
There will be evening performances under a tent while the ‘actors’ are in character, and the scholars will also present children’s and adult workshops and speak to civic clubs in the community. This is a unique learning experience as one becomes emerged in the past and learns firsthand about America’s history. The event is free due to sponsors Murphy USA, AMNR Foundation, Arkansas State Parks and Smackover State Bank.
The news release stated that all three scholars and the characters they portray have different agendas. According to Pam Beasley, museum superintendent, “This line up is going to be wonderful!
“Each of these characters played a very important part in the history of America leading up to and the passage of the 18, 19, and 21 Amendments, and through the Natural State Chautauqua, audiences will learn exactly how.”
The following three characters will be portrayed at this year’s event:
• Deleasa Randall-Griffiths will present suffragette Carrie Chapman Catt.
Randall-Griffiths is from Ashland, Ohio, and makes her first appearance on the Natural State Chautauqua stage as Carrie Chapman Catt. Randall-Griffiths is an associate professor and director of the Online Communication Program in the Department of Communication Studies at Ashland University.
She chairs the Ashland Chautauqua Planning Committee.
Each summer, she serves as emcee for the event. She will bring the leading suffragette, Carrie Chapman Catt to life at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 6
• Boxer and nightclub owner Jack Johnson will come to life in the guise of Jim Armstead
Dr. James H. Armstead of California will participate in the Natural State Chautauqua for the ninth time at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 7.
Armstead is a retired professor of Strategy and International Law from the U.S. Naval War College.
He has taught international law, strategy and national security policy for nearly 40 years.
In addition to Jack Johnson, he has portrayed a dozen Chautauqua characters.
• Dr. Chuck Chalberg will portray journalist and author H.L. Mencken.
Dr. Chuck Chalberg is a native of Minnesota and a historian. He is now retired from a long teaching career at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota. Chalberg has performed in various Chautauquas around the country.
He has written a dual biography of Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey, as well as a biography of Emma Goldman. Chalberg will return to the Natural State Chautauqua for the fourth time at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.
In addition to the evening performances, two additional programs will be held in the museum auditorium at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
On June 7, Randall-Griffiths will present a children’s program entitled “Everyone Has a Voice,” and on Saturday, Armstead will present an adult program entitled “Prohibition: An American Political Movement 1820-1920.”
On Friday, June 7, the museum will host a fundraiser to support the educational programs. Catfish or chicken plates will be sold by the museum featuring catfish or chicken, fries, hush puppies, slaw and a drink.
Tickets can be purchased at the museum before the date. The cost is $12 and the plates can be picked up from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the date of the event.
Food for the fundraiser will be catered by Dorey’s Catfish. Call 870-725-2877 for more information.
The news release states that although all Chautauqua programs are free and open to the public, donations are appreciated.