Our committees are in full swing reimagining old events and creating new ones. For instance, we will hold Open Houses every Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 at Alumni Hall. Come to visit Pioneer Hall especially if you have never been inside, tour the banner collection and meet other alums while sharing a cookie and a glass of punch.
After a winter hiatus, our tile artist, Denise Williams-Stebbins, is back to work on the long-term AACLSC project of restoring the historic class mosaics built into the floor of the Hall of Philosophy. Working around weddings and weather, she has restored the 1978 mosaic, and as of Wednesday, May 14, she was working on the 1921 mosaic, the completion of which will bring the total number of restored mosaics to 14! We thank the Class of 2000 and Denise for all their hard work and dedication in restoring and caring for these invaluable pieces of our history. We are also grateful to the Institution for their assistance and guidance. The Executive Board of the AACLSC would like to ask everyone to help us care for the mosaics by being mindful of them when placing chair legs or narrow heels down on the tiles. We are hoping this restoration will last another 100 years.
On August 18, 2024, the AACLSC launched the Kate Kimball Challenge in honor of the 150th anniversary of the CLSC which will take place in 2028. Since then, a number of alumni have taken up the challenge and 17 of you have completed it.
If you submit your Kate Kimball Challenge booklist to us, please be sure the CLSC is also receiving that list.
Some of you have purchased older books for this challenge and are willing to pass them on. We are hoping to find a spot in Alumni Hall where these books can be circulated. If you have books you'd like to share with others, bring them in and we'll find a place for them. We would also like to remind you that the Class of 2006 maintains a Little Free Library outside the backdoor of Alumni Hall. They are still collecting more current CLSC selections and you may donate to their Little Free Library by placing your donations in the plastic bin under the Little Free Library.
This Year's CLSC Selections Announced
All 2025-2026 CLSC Selections can be found on the CLSC's page on Chautauqua Institution's website. As of this writing, Week Five is not yet announced and the Chautauqua Prize winner has been chosen, but not announced.
A Better Front Porch Listening Experience
Many of you have attended book discussions on the front porch of Alumni Hall and have noticed that our sound system - cords and all - is a little outdated. During the off-season, the Literary Arts Department and the AACLSC came together to upgrade the entire sound system on the porch. We are providing hand-held microphones that can be passed around, clip on microphones for our guest speakers, and large new speakers for better sound quality.
Additionally, the A/V equipment in the Ballroom is getting an upgrade. This year's events will be presented on a bigger screen from a better projector, enhancing the quality of all of our Ballroom events.
SUMMER 2025
The Literary Arts Center at Alumni Hall will officially open the 2025 season on June 22, 2025. Hours this year will be from Noon - 5:00 M-F and Sunday. The building will remain closed on Saturdays.
Sundays - 1:00 - 3:00 - Open House for all alumni and guests! Light refreshments will be served. Come see what's coming up for the week and greet fellow alumni.
Mondays and Wednesdays - 1:15 - Docent Tours of Alumni and Pioneer Halls.
Week 2 Events
July 1: All Alumni Meet & Greet
The All Alumni Meet & Greet will be held on the first floor of Alumni Hall on Tuesday night, July 1. Alumni may attend free, but if you'd like to bring a guest, please plan to pay $5 at the door for your guest (s). This is a great kick-off to the season. Light refreshments will be served. We hope you'll drop in and say hello! Reservations are required for this event and can be made by emailing us at alumassocexecsec@gmail.com.
July 2: Chautauqua Treasures: An Elite Auction
The Silent Auction committee received some bountiful donations of Chautauqua art, furniture and other items during the off-season. Because of the uniqueness of these pieces, the committee decided the pieces needed a special night of their own. Please join them on Wednesday evening, July 2, for some refreshments, and perhaps, to place a bid on a one-of-a-kind item.
July 8-11, 13: Silent Auction and Sale
Please plan to join us from July 8 - 11 and July 13 for our annual sale. The first floor of Alumni Hall will be stuffed full of wonderful, unique items again this year. Noon to 5 each day.
July 20: The Great American Picnic
This takes place the Sunday of Week 5. We hope you'll come and eat and enjoy the afternoon, but if you'd like to volunteer to help, please let us know! Summer sunshine, grilled hotdogs, and cold drinks!
New gear! Check the catalog for details!
Right now we’re in the process of stocking our store with new signature gear for the Summer '25 season. New stuff includes a long-lasting, recyclable, plastic-free stainless steel water bottle and more. See our online catalog for items that you can reserve for pickup at Alumni Hall when you arrive for summer.
