In Waxahachie in 1889, some "young ladies who hoped to derive mutual
benefits from a course of systematic reading" organized the Sappho
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC). They expected to complete a
thorough four-year course in June 1892. The officers were: Miss Willia
Getzendaner, President; Miss Zephie Trippet, Vice-President; Miss Mary Siddons,
Recording Secretary; Miss Flora McMillan, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Scotta
McMillan, Treasurer; and Miss Ruth Wyatt, Critic. (History of Ellis
County, Texas, Ellis County Historic Workshop, 1972.)
What is CLSC?
This same type of society was being organized all around the country as a
result of the formation of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle in New
York 11 years earlier by Chautauqua founder Reverend John H. Vincent. This was a
four-year home study course whose participants read certain prescribed books,
thus becoming the first reading club in America.
After the four years of reading the book list, participants became eligible
to attend a Recognition Ceremony during the summer assembly in Chautauqua, New
York to celebrate their completion. The ceremony consisted of graduates marching
behind a banner through the Grounds to a Golden Gate to the white-pillared Hall
of Philosophy. Small children led the way with baskets of flowers, dignitaries
spoke, and the graduates received diplomas.
Why start CLSC?
Vincent said, "The aim of CLSC was to promote habits of reading and
study in nature, art, science, and in secular and sacred literature…" The
CLSC helped give people a sense of belonging as society resurrected itself after
the Civil War. During a visit to the Chautauqua Assembly in New York in the
summer of 1880, Presidential candidate James A. Garfield stated "It has
been the struggle of the world to get more leisure, but it has been left to
Chautauqua to show what to do with it."
Who joined CLSC?
During the 3 days after Vincent first announced the CLSC on August 10, 1878,
over 700 people signed up. The first year's class had 8000 participants
registered. By 1891, 180,000 people enrolled and by the 1920's there were more
than 300,000. In the first 20 years, 10,000 circles were established (one
quarter of which were in villages of less than 500 population.) Although this
organization was chiefly aimed at those who would otherwise not have an
opportunity for an education, it also attracted college graduates right from the
beginning. The participants came from all walks of life, from high society to
low society, from rural areas to large cities, from socialites to farmers,
factory workers, and prisoners.
CLSC today…
Today the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle is still centered at
Chautauqua Institution in New York and is still active throughout the country.
After paying a nominal fee for the 4-year program and reading 13 books from the
CLSC list (composed of 700 books, chosen from 1878 until the present), students
are eligible to graduate at the Recognition Day ceremony. After graduation,
alumni are encouraged to stay active in their class and to continue their
education.
(Simpson, Jeffrey., Chautauqua: An American Utopia,1999 and http://www.chautauqua-inst.org)
