Lyceum Features Stories from the Underground Railroad

MOUNT VERNON – Master Storyteller and amazing speaker, Dr. Annette Jefferson returns to the Chautauqua/Lyceum stage this coming Thursday May 1 to share the oral histories of those who made the hazardous journey along the Underground Railroad to freedom in the North. Wondering where to hide, who to trust, how to survive and not get caught as that was a fate worse than death.

Mount Vernon has many tunnels and safe houses that were used to aid these people as did many Ohio towns and brave, religious, conscious driven people, unknown heroes for this cause. Dr. Jefferson will share the stories of blacks, some of whom may have passed through this area on their flight to Canada where it was safer to life without a whip at your back and then the courage of those who returned to help others in the same situation.

This event will be held at ThePlace@TheWoodward [111 S. Main Street] in downtown Mount Vernon on May 1 at 7 PM. Doors open at 6 PM at this first floor, wheelchair/walker/stroller friendly facility and is brought to you on a donation basis by Elixir with the support of the Rolls-Royce Charities/Civics Fund and Ariel Foundation. Speaking of Elixir, the trio based in Mount Vernon, they will be opening the program with their unique blend of music, history and humor.

For information on this and other programs in the Chautauqua/Lyceum Series, the only year round Chautauqua style programming in the United States,  call  740-392-6102,  visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org.

Father and Daughter to Speak at Chautauqua

MOUNT VERNON – He was an American teacher, writer, philosopher, and reformer. She fictionalized her experience with the family in her novel “Little Women” in 1868. He is often criticized for his inability to earn a living and support his family. He was never financially secure until his daughter became a best-selling novelist. For Bronson and Louisa May Alcott, life in the mid-1800’s America was challenging and rewarding, and filled with many of the social ills of the times, slavery, poor immigrants, transcendentalism, social work and health issues.

On Thursday April 24 at 7 PM, Bronson [portrayed by Robert Bennett] and Louisa May Alcott [portrayed by Amy K. Stoner] will be the featured characters for the Chautauqua Series presented by Elixir and supported by Rolls-Royce Charities/Civic Fund and Ariel Foundation assistance. The program presents living history and the featured characters will discuss their lives with the audience followed by a question and answer period with the audience. 

The Chautauqua will be at ThePlace@TheWoodward, located at 111 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio. The theatre is a first floor facility that is accessible for people with special needs such as walkers, wheel chairs and strollers. The doors open at 6 PM, program starts at 7 PM and is presented on a donation basis, with all the procedures going the the scholars presenting the living history presentation.

For more information on this program and upcoming Chautauqua's, visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org and click on the calendar section. Or call 740-392-6102.

Dwight Eisenhower to Speak at Chautauqua

MOUNT VERNON – There has been a change in the Chautauqua schedule due to unforeseen circumstances and instead of Bronson and Louisa May Alcott appearing April 10, we will celebrate the return of General Dwight David Eisenhower (aka Ken Hammontree) who last graced our stage in 2009.  Those wishing to see Bronson and Louisa May Alcott, rest assured, they will appear on April 24.

As supreme commander of Allied forces in Western Europe during World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower led the massive invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe that began on D-Day In 1952, During his presidency, Eisenhower managed Cold War-era tensions with the Soviet Union under the looming threat of nuclear weapons, ended the war in Korea in 1953 and authorized a number of covert anti-communist operations by the CIA around the world. On the home front, where America was enjoying a period of relative prosperity, Eisenhower strengthened Social Security, created the massive new Interstate Highway System and maneuvered behind the scenes to discredit the rabid anti-Communist Senator Joseph McCarthy.

The Chautauqua Series presented by Elixir and supported by the Rolls-Royce Charities/Civics Fund and Ariel Foundation mini-grants, are happy to salute the return of Dwight David Eisenhower on April 10 at ThePlace@TheWoodward (111 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon). Doors open at 6 PM and program starts at 7 PM. This is a donation basis event and so you already have your ticket. For those unfamiliar with ThePlace@TheWoodward, it is a first floor facility and easily accessible for people with special needs such as strollers, walkers and wheel chairs.

For the latest and up to the minute schedule information, visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102.