Old North Amp Entrance (L) & New 2017 Entrance (R)
The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different. – Aldous Huxley
Through it all, it was never really about the Amp as a building. Because from the beginning it has been all about the incredible history that occurred in that space. From F.D.R to R.F.K., and Susan B. to Booker T., and all the other famous names that have been cited during this debate, that have graced Chautauqua’s iconic platform. It was about Chautauqua, the place, the people on the stage and in the Assembly. Those who came before us, with us, and the generations that will follow in our footsteps.
It’s not about historically significant architecture or architects. Never about building materials that were intended to last for ages. Its beauty has always been in its simple design, openness to the surrounding structures and to the rest of Chautauqua, and you could always count on it to be there every summer. It has been as much a part of our Chautauqua experience as the; Plaza, Bell Tower, Club, Sharpe Field, the lake, and all the other places we collectively hold near and dear. But the Amp was always a little more. More because you were sharing that experience with family, old and new friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, along with some pretty good talent on the stage. It has always been about the history that accumulates each and every season, day and night, and year after year. Right there in that ravine just above the Athenaeum, where the Assembly has gathered since 1876.
Some grab their seat cushions out of a closet or off a hook and start that very familiar trek to the Amp. Past neighbors and friends on porches and as you draw near you see the almost magical glow of the perimeter lighting as you approach your entrance gate, hearing the familiar hum of thousands of voices. Some have talked about their favorite bench but you can take in a performance, lecture or church service without ever walking into the place. Some lucky folks can do it from the comfort of their front porches. For evening performances I prefer leaning on the exterior south brick wall talking softly to friends and doing a couple laps around the perimeter during the evening to see what old friend(s) might be there that week that I hadn’t yet seen. My go-to seat for Sunday church is down in the Carnahan-Jackson garden. I get to hear the; Massey organ, choir, and the sermon while doing a little Chautauqua multi-tasking. By that I mean enjoying a good cup of coffee with a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel, and the Times Sports section, while taking in the church service with 4,000 of my closest summer friends.
It is about the history of Chautauqua. All of the history and the incredible people who graced all of those platforms over the years. That of course includes all the previous structures Chautauqua has used for the primary gathering point for the Assembly. From a rudimentary platform in Miller Park to a canvas strung over the ravine where the Amp sits today, to the first Amp which lasted only 14 years, and then the current one, in all its iterations. And now it’s on to a brand new one that will be built after the 2016 season. As importantly it is about our history. The memories we made with friends and family over the years and generations of our family before us who at some point shared those with us and we share with our kids and grand-kids. Just as we all in turn will make more memories at the new Amp. It sometime seemed as though the committee and those who fought so hard to save a structurally failing, functionally obsolete building would have you believe all of that history and all of our memories will evaporate as the current Amp heads off into history. Shame on them for even going there. As if an evil witch/wizard from the Harry Potter series is going to appear at next season’s final three taps and point a wand at everyone and speak the memory deleting charm “obliviate” to erase our Amp memories, and taking it to the illogical extreme, Chautauqua’s well chronicled Amp history as well. Mischief managed! The memories and history endure and can be easily shared and passed down in pictures and stories of times and people cherished, and performers and speakers thoroughly enjoyed. The pursuit of lifelong learning and the pillars of the Chautauqua experience; Art, Education, Religion, & Recreation, will endure for generations to come.
I was a Daily Boy back in the day when we sold in the Amp prior to the evening performances. Running up and down the aisle yelling “read all about tonight’s program in the Chautauquan Daily”. The evening performances hadn’t evolved into the bigger shows yet, as they were going to starting in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Back then selling at the lucrative North Amp position was decided by seniority and then lottery by us Daily Boys (sorry Db you hadn’t made the scene yet). The U.S. Army Field Band was often a top pick of the enterprising Daily Boy as it would draw from outside the gates, thus more new customers who hadn’t picked up a Daily yet that day.
1921 North Amp Entrance (L) & 1874 Platform in Miller Park (R)
The program has changed and evolved. Chautauqua has changed, the finances have changed, the demographics of the Assembly have changed, yet many things still remain comfortably the same. When this Amp was opened for business in 1893 a season gate pass cost $5.00 and rooms at the Athenaeum ranged from $15-$25 per week. Those days and prices are long since gone.
Our memories and Chautauqua’s history remain the same and waiting to evolve and add a new layer, like all of the maple trees, with each passing season. And now it’s time for our Amp to change and evolve, to fully, safely, and functionally support Chautauqua’s programming and the Assembly for years and generations to come. In the 2016 season Chautauqua closes the book on the 1893 Amp and in 2017 opens a brand new book on the latest version (3.0, if you will). And if you think it will be the last Amp that Chautauqua builds you haven’t paid much attention to our history lessons.
That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons of history. – Aldous Huxley
Amp Circa 2017
Drift of the Day 