Chautauqua: Opera, Art and Gardens

In Chautauqua, the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution bring together cultural and natural features that offer different focal points when planning a trip. These include a historic theater, art centers and an extensive arboreta with gardens, ravines and wooded areas.

Art, Architecture and Opera

Built in 1885, the Bratton Theater is one of the oldest buildings on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. Following a renovation, it reopened in 2000 with 269 seats. The construction date and the later reopening of the renovated venue mark two distinct chapters in its history.

The CVA Galleries facilities include the Strohl Art Center, the Fowler-Kellogg Art Center and the Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden. The Fowler-Kellogg Art Center was built in 1889 and was formerly known as Anne M. Kellogg Memorial Hall. The restored, two-story building is designed in the Queen Anne style. Its features include a coffered wood ceiling and Brazilian cherry floors. The Strohl Art Center at 33 Wythe Avenue is a contemporary exhibition space. The center covers 6,000 square feet; its described features include white walls, hardwood floors and high ceilings. Together, these venues offer an architectural perspective ranging from a restored historic building to a contemporary exhibition space.

Every summer, the Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden showcases changing sculptures and installations by various contemporary artists. If a particular work is important to your plans, check before visiting to see which works are on display that summer.

Founded in 1929, the Chautauqua Opera Company is North America’s oldest continuously operating summer opera company. Its seasonal program includes more than 30 opera events, including three mainstage productions at the historic 1,300-seat Norton Hall and the 4,000-seat Amphitheater of the Chautauqua Institution. The program also features concerts with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, weekly artsong recitals, opera performances for young audiences, Young Artist open-mic evenings and Opera Invasions. During the season, the company also uses the Jane A. Gross Opera Center. The number and format of events may vary from season to season, so check the current program and admission information for your dates before traveling.

An admission pass to the Chautauqua Institution provides unlimited access to the grounds and general admission to all events in the Amphitheater. This offers a different way to plan than focusing on a single building: the pass covers the grounds and events held in the Amphitheater.

Gardens, Arboreta and Paths

The grounds of the Chautauqua Institution include numerous small public gardens, green spaces and parks. They also include a lakeshore whose landscape has been ecologically redesigned. The grounds therefore bring together landscaped green spaces and a lakeside area.

The Chautauqua Bird, Tree and Garden Club Arboreta encompasses the Institution’s 250-acre grounds. It borders Chautauqua Lake to the west and a fence to the north, south and east. The arboreta includes approximately 4,000 trees among 1,200 private residences and 164 Institution buildings, three wooded ravines and two wooded areas totaling 15 acres. These details give a sense of the grounds’ different components: tree locations, wooded ravines and designated wooded areas are distinct landscape features.

Walking and cycling are the usual ways of getting around the grounds, especially during the Summer Assembly Season. Plan how you will get around accordingly, particularly during the Summer Assembly Season.

Discover more destinations: Ellicottville, Salamanca, Allegany, Franklinville, Yorkshire.

For the regional travel overview: Cattaraugus County.