New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-06
in CONNECTICUT VALLEY
THE CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY
WHICH MEETS THIS WEEK
AT NORTHAMPTON.
GROwTH OF THIS OFFSHOOT OF
ORIGINAL ENTERPRISE - PRO
GRAAIAIE OF SPEAKERS.

Northampton, Mass July 3 (SpeciaD.-The Con-
hecticut Valley Chautauqua Assembly, now dis
tingushed as the only branch of the parent Chau-
1audua surviving and hourishing in MASSACHUSETTS,
and b. far the largest in New England. will open
;ts sixteenth annual session at Laurel Park, this
city, Tuesday afternoon July and for ten days
following will before the people of the Connect
cut Valley feast OF instruction and entertainment
This assembly has grown to be an important sum-
-ner fixture and the Of annually increasing
numbers Of people from far and near who believe
in spending their vacation season where they can
make better of their time than is possible at
the usual seashore or mountain resort The setting
and environment Of the assembly is of rare
natural beauty and attraction affording plenty Of
reEtful diversion from the programme Of lectures
and entertainments.
Laurel Park is a woodland Of one hundred acres
covered with pine chestnut. hemlock and maple
trees situated three miles north of Northampton
On the Connecticut River division Of the Boston and
Maine Railroad and the Northampton division of
the Neyv-York. New-Hsven and Hartford Railroad
both roads having stations within three minutes
walk of the park A trolley line also runs from the
city 10 the entrance The main grove is on rising
ground overlooking one Of the most picturesque
parts Of the Connecticut Valley. Directly in front
can be seen the broad Connecticut, sweeping In It's
great COX bow" curve through the wide meadows
Of Hsthsld and OId Hadley refuge Of the regicdes'
And beyond
Upon the last green step ,,..
From which the d aIgG a % t9 Fair Amherst sat
Capped by her many wndowed colleges;
and still sits in queeny pose as she did when }.
q. Holland penned that description in KATRINA
To the north Mount sugarloaf rises boldly from the
plain and beyond is Mount Tobey. The serrated
Mount Hoiyoke range. with summit house ana IN
cline railway the highest peak. forms the scenic
BACKGROUND TO the southeast; and within the sweep
OF vision 90 south is the bold Mount Tom range.
with it's precipitous sides of red traprock Within
q radius of ten miles beautiful drives. and II Is
a paradise for the lover Of Nature in her most
smiable moods
The park wss first opened thrty-one years ago as
Methodist camp ground. and though 1t is stu
owned by the Methodist association and used an
nualy for their camp meeting, the Chautauqua
Assembly has practically supplanted the camp
meeting a popular sssemblase. The first view
after entering grove is OF the circle of old time
chapels facing the great auditorium in the centre
During the assembly majority of these chapels
are occupied by outing and picnic parties from the
valley cities and towns. The auditorium comprises
h central building inclosing the rear and sides OF
The stage which will hold two hundred and nifty
persons The central portion of the seats. which
slope toward the platform like an amphtheatre. is
rooted over and from this roof is stretched great
canvas tent The seats. however, extend even be-
sond this shelter. and the capacity of the audi
forum ,s three thousand persons. 1t rarely accom-
nnodates the Crowds that flock in for the star at
fractions and the grand closing concert of the as
sen1bly.
Stretching away through the woods from the
trail grove several avenues lined with cottages.
which always filled during assembly, the popu-
lation of the park often exceeding five hundred. A
humber Of families remain throughout the summer.
Many Of the cottages attractive architectural
Iy, and the grounds about them kept bright and
beautiful with flowers and woodland foliage. The
great lodges the wooded hillside to the west of
the grove capped with pretty cottages. Pure
spring water is abundant. Shady drives and pict-
uresque paths lead in various directions beyond the
park bounds. The Connecticut River flows within
half mile Of the park, and affords excellent bath