New York
The Chautauqua Experience in Summer
Program No. 20581RJ
Founded in 1874, the Chautauqua Institution is a celebration of art, history and culture. Join us for classes, lectures and performances, all in a uniquely American lakeside village.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Chautauqua, NY
Program Concludes
Chautauqua, NY
Meals
15 (
6B, 3L, 6D
)
Activity Level
Chautauqua is a unique institution due to the confluence of people and performers, viewpoints and cultures, art forms, theories and theologies. Summer programs focus on a mix of timeless and contemporary topics throughout the week, such as art, music, literature, nature, history, politics, law and religions. Come and learn for yourself why the Chautauqua experience is so very special.
Best of all, you'll...
- Hear from notable experts during morning classes exclusively for our Road Scholar group.
- Receive a Chautauqua gate ticket, admitting you to amphitheater lectures featuring world-class speakers plus numerous options each day for recitals, talks, nature walks and much more.
- Choose from a dazzling array of entertainment event offerings each evening.
General Notes
Due to security, only clear bags allowed in all lecture and performance venues. A discounted option is available for participants age 90 or older. Please call for details. To book any additional nights, please contact reservations at the Athenaeum Hotel 800-821-1881 or 716-357-4444. For more detailed information about the theme, including featured speakers visit www.chq.org/visit/plan-your-visit/2026-season/ Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Molly Williamson
Molly Williamson, a retired Foreign Service officer who served six U.S. presidents, was the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Energy and interim ambassador to Bahrain. She was also Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce responsible for the Middle East, South Asia, Oceania, and Africa, and served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense responsible for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Molly is a board member of the American Foreign Service Association and American Academy of Diplomacy.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Molly Williamson
Molly Williamson, a retired Foreign Service officer who served six U.S. presidents, was the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Energy and interim ambassador to Bahrain. She was also Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce responsible for the Middle East, South Asia, Oceania, and Africa, and served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense responsible for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Molly is a board member of the American Foreign Service Association and American Academy of Diplomacy.
Ori Z. Soltes
Dr. Ori Soltes teaches theology, philosophy and art history at Georgetown University. He has also taught across diverse disciplines for many years at The Johns Hopkins University, Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, Siegel College in Cleveland, and other colleges and universities. He has lectured at dozens of museums across the country, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and has been interviewed for a score of programs on CNN, the History Channel and Discovery Channel. He also hosted a popular series on Ancient Civilizations for middle school students. For seven years, Ori was director and chief curator of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum, where he created over 80 exhibitions focusing on aspects of history, ethnography and contemporary art. As director of the National Jewish Museum, he co-founded the Holocaust Art Restitution Project and has spent ten years researching and consulting on the issue of Nazi-plundered art.
Peter S Wenz
Peter S. Wenz is one of those aging leftist, feminist, environmentalist vegetarians often seen jogging near universities. He was chosen as a University Scholar of the University of Illinois and is currently emeritus professor of Philosophy at the University of Illinois at Springfield. He received his bachelor’s in philosophy from now-SUNY Binghamton in 1967 and his Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Peter has held faculty positions at universities around the world and specializes in environmental ethics, medical ethics, constitutional law and political philosophy.
Donna Scheule
J.D., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley. Faculty member, Dept. of Criminology, Law and Society, UC Irvine; UCI Lecturer of the Year, 2013; widely published in California history. More than 30 years of teaching experience, including UCLA, USC and CWRU. Has provided commentary in media outlets such as The New York Times and RT television on the gun control debate.
Phil Shull
Phil Shull retired in 2016 after 31 years with the Foreign Agricultural Service. His interest in food security and international relations was sparked as a boy living in India where he saw severe malnutrition. Philip worked towards maximizing exports of U.S. food and agricultural products and promoting global food security through trade negotiations, capacity building, food safety, biotechnology, marketing and promotion, scientific exchange, and economic analysis. His overseas assignments included Korea, Argentina (including Uruguay and Paraguay), Hong Kong, Philippines, and three postings to China.
Baher Ghosheh
Baher Ghosheh is a scholar-in-residence at the Jefferson Educational Society in Erie, Pennsylvania. He holds a Ph.D. in economic development from SUNY-Buffalo and was a professor of Middle Eastern studies, and cultural and economic geography at Edinboro University until retiring in 2022. He has graduate degrees in international relations/Middle Eastern studies, international trade, and comparative economic development. A native of Jerusalem, he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to conduct research in Malaysia and Singapore, and was selected as the Pennsylvania Geographer of the Year.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Most primary activities including exclusive Road Scholar programming, accommodations, meals, Amphitheater lectures and evening performance are accessible with less than a quarter of a mile walking per day and suitable for participants using mobility aides such as canes and walkers. However, the Chautauqua campus is hilly and expansive. Those interested in optional afternoon events such as theater performances, porch discussions, or other lecture venues should be prepared to walk up to one mile on uneven hilly terrain. There are limited shuttles and trams available to move to specific locations around the grounds. Handicap accessible rooms are limited.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.