Waxahachie Chautauqua

It's July 26 That means it's "WAXAHACHIE CHAUTAUQUA DAY" !

Texas House Bill 1254 was passed and signed by Gov. Abbott in 2017 establishing July 26 as "Waxahachie Chautauqua Day" in Texas.

This commemorates the first gathering of the Waxahachie Chautauqua and Summer Encampment in 1900 at West End Park (now Getzendaner Memorial Park). The Waxahahcie Chautauqua was originally organized and operated under the auspices of the Texas Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

This photo is of the stage of the Pavilion in West End Park the was used until the larger Auditorium was built in 1902. Can you image yourself there sitting on those benches waiting for the program?

Happy Birthday!

07/05/2024

If you are in the Florida Panhandle (DeFuniak Springs), check out this event. I looks like it will be fun!!

Our 2025 Assembly is in the works! Take a Journey into Vaudeville on February 20-23, 2025.

07/05/2024

Our 2025 Assembly is in the works! Take a Journey into Vaudeville on February 20-23, 2025.

07/05/2024

If you are in the Florida Panhandle early next year, check out this Florida Chautauqua. Looks like it will be a fun event!

Our 2025 Assembly is in the works! Take a Journey into Vaudeville on February 20-23, 2025.

06/01/2024

We are open to today and on the Gingerbread Trail. Located in our beautiful Getzendaner Park, we have restrooms, umbrellas, ice cold water, and prime picnic spots for the family. 10AM - 4PM today and tomorrow!!

Photos from City of Waxahachie - Official Municipal Page's post

05/01/2024

Fun morning with 125 second graders learning about the history of the community and the Chautauqua Auditorium. Making memories! Thanks to Mayor and Mickey Hill for being a great MC!

Photos from Waxahachie Chautauqua's post

04/08/2024

A few photos from today's Eclipse Watch Party at the Chautauqua Auditorium courtesy of Kirk Hunter.

09/30/2023

Birds of Prey ! Next show at 12 noon! Hurry up and get to the Waxahachie Chautauqua !

09/30/2023

What's more iconic than getting the obligatory photo of your child on a longhorn!! Come on down...I spied them giving roping lessons too!

09/30/2023

Trash Can Transformation!!! Ever wonder where those painted trash cans in our parks come from?? Attendees at the annual Chautauqua event can reserve a can for *free* to paint during the event. All supplies are provided for *free*. 💕

09/30/2023

Come on down. I've got miles and miles of tshirts!! We've got Cowboy Poets,Country Musicians, Birds of Prey, Harmonica lessons, and most importantly Raspas!!!

09/30/2023

**Free Family Event** Come out to Waxahachie Getzendaner Park this Saturday, September 30th for our 2nd Annual "Cowboy Gathering" at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium. Inside we will have cowboy musicians & poets, outside we will have the famous "Birds of Prey" raptor bird show (10AM & Noon), the trashcan transformation activity (we provide the paint and the can), harmonica lessons for the kids....and much more! All day activities 9AM to 5PM.

Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival Preview

09/28/2023

Did you catch our own David Smith & Sandy Bates Emmons appearance on " Good Morning Texas" WFAA Channel 8? David read one of his original cowboy poems, talked about the performers and all the Cowboy Gathering details for this Saturday, September 30th. Sandy provided some history of the Chautauqua Institution and the history of the Waxahachie Auditorium along with our coinciding Birds of Prey & Trash Can Transformation activity. Hope we see everyone there!

Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival Preview The Waxahachie Chautauqua celebrates the history and heritage of their town with Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival in a historic open-air auditorium.

05/01/2023

See link for more information and tickets. Concert will be in the historic Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium on Saturday, May 6.

Buy Tickets to Ken Slavin in Concert Purchase your tickets at the WSA website to get seats right away.

04/28/2023

Another opportunity to experience music in the historic Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium on Saturday, April 29. See the link for more information and tickets.

https://bignightinthecity.godaddysites.com/?fbclid=IwAR2EIRuCqy7XBAc1_zq4qMIz9NgsUsYgwM9yWKAcS6A3nsOw31azHdr8c64

Big Night in the City TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!

04/25/2023

Here's an opportunity to experience a performance in the historic Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium. Tickets available at the link below.

Buy Tickets to Ken Slavin in Concert Purchase your tickets at the WSA website to get seats right away.

04/24/2023

New benches are now installed at the Auditorium! Each bench has a small plaque with some information about Chautauqua. Thanks to the Parks Department for their assistance!!

04/15/2023

Waxahachie Symphony Association Since 1976 the Waxahachie Symphony Association has brought beautiful music to Waxahachie.

03/15/2023

In the historic Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium tomorrow. See post below for details.

The City of Waxahachie Parks and Recreation Department is hosting The Creature Spring Break event this Wednesday, March 15 from 10am – 12pm at the Chautauqua Auditorium. Kids are encouraged to touch, experience, and enjoy the animals in a safe and controlled environment. Reservations are not required but space is limited. For more information, please call 469-309-4270. Come on out and enjoy the fun!

03/09/2023

A foggy Chautauqua Auditorium on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

03/06/2023

Here's an opportunity to see some critters in the Historic Chautauqua Auditorium. Great fun for kids and adults!

The City of Waxahachie Parks and Recreation Department is hosting The Creature Teacher Spring Break event on March 15 from 10am – 12pm at the Chautauqua Auditorium. Kids are encouraged to touch, experience, and enjoy the animals in a safe and controlled environment. Reservations are not required but space is limited. For more information, please call 469.309.4270. Come on out and enjoy the fun!

02/15/2023

Waxahachie Chautauqua updated their information in their About section.

02/15/2023

Waxahachie Chautauqua updated their address.

01/19/2023

Here's an opportunity to hear some great singing in the incredible acoustics of Waxahachie's Chautauqua Auditorium. Visit their website for more information and tickets.

01/19/2023

Are you interested in Waxahachie history? Here's an opportunity to take a look at a private collection of postcards and images. It is also in the wonderful Lyceum in Sims Library!

Take a Step Back In Time with Judge Jim Chapman as he opens his private collection of historical images and postcards to the public in this exciting opportunity to see Waxahachie history through a rare and unique perspective!

Saturday, January 21st
Sims Library Lyceum

Refreshments 12:30 pm
Presentation 1:00 pm

This event is FREE to attend and open to the public! No RSVP necessary.

10/19/2022

Congratulations. Kristyn!

Did you catch Kristyn Harris at the Waxahachie Chautauqua on October 8? If so, you like know why she is deserving of this honor! What a treat it was to have her here.

So honored to accept this award from the CMA of Texas….2022 Cowboy Western Entertainer of the Year.
I’m truly among top shelf company. Thank you SO much!!!

10/10/2022

Thanks to all of the artists who painted trash cans during this year's Waxahachie Chautauqua TrashCanTransformation. Here are a few of the masterpieces. They are currently on display in Getzendaner Park. They will soon find homes in one of our City's parks.

10/09/2022

The weather was perfect for Waxhachie Cowboy Poetry Gathering!

10/09/2022

The fly over above the audience is always the most entertaining moment! Buzzards are so fun to watch too!

10/09/2022

Birds of Prey is always a crowd pleaser. Perfect weather for an incredible demonstration in the park.

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Our Story

This is the page of The Chautauqua Preservation Society of Waxahachie, Texas (aka Waxahachie Chautauqua). The Waxahachie Chautauqua celebrates the Chautauqua history and heritage of Waxahachie, Texas. It produces an annual free day-long Chautauqua festival in its beloved unique 1902 open-air Chautauqua Auditorium and surrounding parkland on the last Saturday of September. The Chautauqua Preservation Society of Waxahachie is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which advocates for the continued preservation and use of the historic Chautauqua Auditorium and the surrounding shaded 22-acre Getzendaner Memorial Park.

Our mission is to promote the use and maintenance of the Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium, a City of Waxahachie facility, to produce an annual event (the last Saturday in September) in the Auditorium along with additional programs and activities throughout the year, and to conduct and disseminate research about the Chautauqua Movement in Waxahachie and Texas and beyond.

The Chautauqua Preservation Society was initially founded in the mid 1970s to assist the City with the renovation and restoration of the Chautauqua Auditorium. It was revived in 1999 and produced its first annual Assembly in 2000 - the centennial of the first Waxahachie Chautauqua and Summer Encampment in 1900 and organized under the auspices of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. We have produced an annual assembly each year since. Details about past Assemblies and events, as well as upcoming events, can be found on our website: www.waxahachiechautauqua.org

In 2017 the 85th Texas Legislature passed and the governor signed Texas House Bill 1254 which designated July 26th as “Waxahachie Chautauqua Day” in Texas. This bill honors the first day of the Waxahachie Chautauqua on July 26, 1900.