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Chautauqua Wawasee 2026 Program Schedule

Chautauqua Wawasee 2026 Program Schedule

Discover the Chautauqua Wawasee 2026 Program Schedule, a full year of inspiring events celebrating Arts, Education, Faith, and Recreation in the Syracuse and Lake Wawasee community. This year’s lineup blends beloved traditions with new programs designed to inform, entertain, and connect.

Highlights for 2026

The ever-popular Purdue Varsity Glee Club Performance returns on April 17, filling the spring air with music, harmony, and school spirit.

In July, our Famous Hoosier Series will feature Ralph Teetor. If you missed this film and discussion in 2024 at the Pickwick Theater, mark your calendar for July 28 when it returns to Chautauqua-Wawasee.

Our growing Arts Programs continue to expand in 2026 with hands-on workshops. Included in the lineup are Pottery, Stained Glass Mosaics, Pour Paint, and Plein Air Painting. These offerings support our ongoing goal of establishing our region as a true Artists’ Destination.

And since our Patriotic Speaker Series features a new historical figure each year, we’re especially excited to announce that George Washington will be our featured guest in 2026. His engaging reenactment will bring America’s early days to life through storytelling and character portrayal.

Returning Favorites

You’ll see the return of crowd favorites like the Pawasee Dog Parade, Taps Across the Water, Old Fashioned Christmas, and our Historic Cruises — all programs that continue to bring joy, connection, and tradition to our community year after year.

Plan Ahead

The full 2026 Program Brochure will be available by December 1.

Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and make 2026 a year to remember with Chautauqua Wawasee.

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Syracuse Ghost Tour: Haunted Past Comes Alive

Syracuse Ghost Tour: Haunted Past Comes Alive

The Syracuse Ghost Tour premieres on Saturday, October 18, 2025, bringing history and hauntings together in one unforgettable evening. This one-night-only walking tour takes guests through downtown Syracuse, Indiana, where they’ll meet the “ghosts” of the past and hear the stories that shaped the town.

What You’ll Experience

At each stop, volunteer storytellers portray figures from Syracuse’s history—some famous, others infamous. Guests will encounter a bank president tied to a tree during a daring robbery, hear how Andrew Carnegie helped fund the public library, and listen to a silent film star’s memories of summers on Lake Wawasee. Firefighters recall blazes in the Pickwick Block, while pioneering teachers share their trailblazing stories. Each tale is told on the very ground where it happened, blending fact, legend, and Halloween spirit.

Tour Details

Tours run from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, departing every fifteen minutes. Each lasts about an hour and covers a half-mile of flat, mobility-friendly paths. Designed for all ages, the Syracuse Ghost Tour combines history, performance, and a touch of the supernatural.

Location

Tours will begin at Moore’s Affordable Furniture, located at 200 E. Main St., Syracuse, IN

Admission

11-Adult: $3 / Children 10 and under are FREE!

Reserve Your Spot

Click HERE to reserve your spot and join us for an evening where Syracuse’s haunted past comes alive.

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Revitalization of the Miami Culture – Indiana and Beyond

Bringing History Alive

Revitalization of the Miami Culture – Indiana and Beyond

In celebration of Archaeology Month, Chautauqua-Wawasee will host “Bringing History Alive” with a program on the Revitalization of the Miami Culture: Indiana and Beyond. The presentation is free to attend outdoors at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Ruddell Pavilion, 11586 N State Route 13, Syracuse, IN, on Saturday, September 6 from 10 AM to Noon.

Logan York, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, will discuss contemporary revitalization of Myaamia culture and review ancient Tribal history of Myaamiaki neehi Myaamionki: Miami People and Miami Land, including the Tribe’s removal to and establishment in Oklahoma. The present era of revitalization, including the Tribal processes and reasoning that underlay Myaamia strategies for cultural renewal, will be Logan’s focus. He will highlight contemporary Miami art and the artists who are significant contributors to Myaamia cultural revitalization.

Two regionally famous Myaamia artists, Dani Tippmann (fine basketry) and Katrina Mitten (beadwork), will be present to share samples of their art and to dialogue about their exquisite work for attendees to view both before and after the presentation.

About the Presenters

Image of Logan York

Logan York is the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and a citizen of the Tribe. Logan is an active member of the Miami community, attending tribal events, stomp dances, and other cultural gatherings. He has a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Anthropology with minors in History and Archaeology. Logan came to work for the Tribe in April of 2022 after previously working for Rebecca Hawkins, the consulting archaeologist for the Miami Tribe. As THPO, he is part of the Cultural Resources Office team that is located in the Miami ancestral homelands.

Dani Tippmann is a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and an award-winning artist who has been beading for more than 45 years. Her works have been acquired by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery of American Art in Washington, D.C., and the Eiteljorg Museum of Native American and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Katrina Mitten, Food Program Director for the Miami Tribe, a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, is descended from Takumwah and Chief Richardville. She was honored by the Eiteljorg Museum of Native and Western Art as Artist in Residence (in 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2024) for being a Plant Tradition Bearer and for her mastery in basketry that is made from the gift of nature’s plant world.

Why Attend?

Step into a living history experience that bridges the past and present of the Miami people. This unique program offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Miami Tribal leaders and artists about their cultural revitalization, ancestral traditions, and vibrant contemporary art. Learn how centuries-old practices are being renewed, view exquisite basketry and beadwork up close, and connect with the stories that continue to shape the Myaamia identity today. Whether you’re passionate about history, Indigenous culture, or the arts, you’ll leave inspired, informed, and enriched.

More Information: Follow the Chautauqua-Wawasee Facebook page or call (574) 377-7543

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Digging Through History – September 11 & 12 in Syracuse, Indiana

CHQW Digging Through History Series 2025

Digging Through History – September 11 & 12 in Syracuse, Indiana

Chautauqua-Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum invite you to the fifth annual free two-evening series, “Digging Through History,” where history truly comes alive. Both events take place at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N Long Drive, Syracuse, Indiana.

Thursday, September 11 – The Pre-History of Northern Indiana

Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Presented by Bryan Warder, vice president, and Pat Mooney, past president of the Indiana Archeological Society.

Discover the story of Indiana’s earliest inhabitants — people who lived here thousands of years ago and left behind remarkable stone implements. Bryan and Pat will display prehistoric artifacts and explain how they were used.

Special Feature: Bring any artifacts you’ve found for free identification and dating by Pat and Bryan.

Life and Times of Potawatomi Chief, Five Medals, has been cancelled this year.

Friday, September 12 – The Life and Times of Potawatomi Chief Five Medals-CANCELLED

Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Presented by Mike Judson, this evening will explore the life of Potawatomi Chief Five Medals — a prominent leader during the frontier wars of the 1790s and the War of 1812.

Learn how Chief Five Medals:

  • Signed six treaties

  • Met Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

  • Advocated for agriculture and defended his people’s homeland

Mike will also share original artifacts and reproduction items from the era.

Event Details

  • Dates: Thursday, September 11 and Friday, September 12

  • Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM each night

  • Location: Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N Long Drive, Syracuse, Indiana

  • Cost: Free admission

  • More Information: Follow the Chautauqua-Wawasee Facebook page or call (574) 377-7543

Why Attend?

These engaging programs are perfect for history lovers, students, families, and anyone curious about the people who once called Northern Indiana home. Bring your kids, neighbor kids, and grandkids to experience history in a hands-on, fun, and interactive way.

Presented with support from:
Indiana Historical Society, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, and Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation, and Visitors Commission.

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Famous Hoosier Eli Lilly | Free Event at Oakwood Resort July 12

Famous Hoosier Eli Lilly: A Legacy of Healing and Innovation

Join us on July 12 at Oakwood Resort for the second annual Famous Hoosier program, featuring Eli Lilly.
This free public event highlights the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Eli Lilly, an influential Indiana medical pioneer whose innovations and values continue to shape not only the state—but healthcare and philanthropy around the world.

Famous Hoosier Eli Lilly

Who Was Eli Lilly?

Born: 1838 • Died: 1898

  • Earned the lifelong title of Colonel after serving in the Civil War

  • Discovered his passion for medicine as a teenager visiting a local drugstore

  • In 1876, Eli Lilly and Company was founded, introducing gelatin-coated pills and other innovations

  • His legacy lives on through both Indiana’s largest for-profit corporation and its largest philanthropic foundation

Learn more about the Lilly Milestones of Caring and Discovery.

Why Eli Lilly Still Matters

Eli Lilly wasn’t just a pharmaceutical pioneer—he was a Hoosier through and through. His legacy of innovation, integrity, and generosity continues to influence not only Indiana, but the world. And fittingly, we’ll be honoring him right here on Lake Wawasee, a place he cherished. This is more than a history lesson—it’s a chance to celebrate a life that still shapes how we live, heal, and give today.

Eli-Lilly-Cottage

Eli Lilly Cottage on Lake Wawasee, in Syracuse, Indiana. *Photo courtesy of the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum.

Event Details

Date: July 12, 2025
Time:

  • 4:30 PM – Light refreshments and cash bar

  • 5:00–6:00 PM – Presentation

Location: Oakwood Resort Inn
702 E. Lake View Rd, Syracuse, IN

Cost: Free to attend

About the Presenter

Dr. Richard Gunderman is Chancellor’s Professor at Indiana University and a practicing physician at Riley Hospital for Children. A dedicated scholar and educator, he is the author of Hoosier Beacons, which profiles 30 influential Hoosiers, including Eli Lilly. Dr. Gunderman is widely known for his engaging lectures, deep historical knowledge, and commitment to public education.

What to Expect

  • A lively, informative program celebrating one of Indiana’s most impactful citizens

  • A deeper understanding of the legacy of a Famous Hoosier whose work still benefits millions

  • Community connection, historical insight, and appreciation of Indiana’s enduring legacy

Eli Lilly didn’t just build a company—he built a legacy of care, innovation, and generosity that still touches lives today. He had a deep love for Lake Wawasee, and there’s something special about honoring his story in the very place that meant so much to him. We hope you’ll join us to reflect, learn, and celebrate the life of a Hoosier who helped shape far more than just our state.

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Teddy and Edith Roosevelt: Chautauqua-Wawasee 2025 Speaker Series

Teddy and Edith Roosevelt Come to Life at Chautauqua-Wawasee’s 2025 Patriotic Speaker Series

Larry and Julia Marple portraying Teddy and Edith Roosevelt during Chautauqua-Wawasee’s 2025 Patriotic Speaker Series in Syracuse, Indiana

Experience history as President Teddy Roosevelt and First Lady Edith Roosevelt come to life at the 5th Annual Patriotic Speaker Series, presented by Chautauqua-Wawasee. This free program features professional actors Larry and Julia Marple portraying the 26th President and his wife, bringing their stories, passions, and era to vivid life.

Join us on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at the Wawasee High School Auditorium in Syracuse, Indiana.

About the Program

Teddy and Edith Roosevelt will discuss major topics of the early 1900s, share personal stories from their lives together, and reflect on their love for nature and conservation.

At age 42, Teddy Roosevelt became the youngest person ever elected President of the United States. As president, he reshaped the executive office, promoting social justice, regulating American industry, and laying the groundwork for modern governance.

In addition to his political achievements, Roosevelt was a celebrated author, big game hunter, and world adventurer. Conservation was central to his legacy—Teddy Roosevelt protected over 200 million acres of land for future generations and championed the healing power of nature throughout his life.

Edith Roosevelt will offer insights into her role as First Lady, describing the challenges and joys of being “the woman behind the man.” She will share how she managed official communications and family matters while supporting her husband’s dynamic presidency.

Event Details

Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025
Time: 4:30–5:30 P.M.
Location: Wawasee High School Auditorium, Syracuse, Indiana
Admission: Free and open to the public

Additional Festivities in Syracuse

Later that evening, enjoy the annual Patriotic Pops Concert by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra on the lawn at Oakwood Resort.
The concert begins at 7:30 P.M., and attendance is free. Visit the Chautauqua tent for a complimentary flag and glow light for the whole family!

Learn More

For full event details, follow us on Facebook or call 574-377-7543.

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Humble Gumption: Cam Shriver’s Insight on Myaamia Survival and History

Humble Gumption: Cam Shriver’s Insight on Myaamia Survival and History
By: Dave Berry, Chautauqua Wawasee

Survival of the Myaamia-Cam Shriver
On a brisk September morning, about 40 people attended Cam Shriver’s presentation on the survival of the Myaamia people hosted by Chautauqua Wawasee.
Cam is a Senior Research Associate in the Myaamia Center at Miami University (Ohio).
His research focuses on Indigenous history with a particular emphasis on the Myaamia experience of the last four centuries. Cam’s discussion began by establishing the year 1846 as the reference point. 1846 is the year that 350 tribal members were removed from Indiana to Kansas. Part of the discussion focused on the various tactics used successfully by the U.S. government to coerce members of the Myaamia nation into ceding most of their land in Indiana to the United States before and after 1846.

The discussion quickly moved to a series of participant questions about Myaamia farming practices; Miami University’s help in the Miami Tribe’s efforts to re-awaken the dormant Myaamia language; and stories of tribal leaders Peepakicia (Papakeechie), Waawiyaasita (Wawasee) and their descendants.

Given the history of non-Native people pursuing their research detached from living Native Americans, some Myaamia officials have adopted the phrase: “Nothing about us, without us.” In this spirit, Cam summarized his approach to community-engaged scholarship as “humble gumption.” As a non-Myaamia person, he is humble enough to understand that Myaamia leaders have their own priorities, that the nation has limited resources, and that he is only one of many well-meaning people who request Myaamia perspectives. Yet, he still has the gumption to develop long-term relationships that enable him to collaborate and ally with the project of the Myaamia cultural renaissance.

Next year, Chautauqua Wawasee will host Logan York, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, at the WACF Ruddell Pavilion on September 6, 2025.
Cam suggests perusing the Myaamia community blog, Aacimotaatiiyankwi, as a good starting point for learning more about Myaamia history, culture, ecological perspectives, and events: https://aacimotaatiiyankwi.org/

 

And for those of you who can’t get enough history…

Take a look at this! Our three-day Digging Through History Series starts tomorrow! Get the full details HERE.

 

Digging Through History 2024

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Three-Day Native American “Digging Through History” Program

Annual Three-Day Native American “Digging Through History” Program

Chautauqua-Wawasee and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are collaborating to offer the fourth annual series of programs that explore the local history of northeastern Indiana. The series offers three FREE programs, September 12-14. The September 12 and 13 programs are being hosted at the Syracuse Community Center, while the September 14th program will be outdoors at WACF’s Ruddell Pavilion. Each program features presenters with expert knowledge and provides an interactive environment for discussion and hands-on examination of artifacts.

Trevor Tipton presented here in 2021, and returns on Thursday, September 12, to discuss “Tools and Weapons of the Indigenous Peoples.” (6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Community Center)

Have you ever wondered how mankind survived thousands of years ago? What animals did they hunt? How did they kill their prey? What tools were used by prehistoric man? This will be the focus of Trevor Tipton’s presentation. His artifact collection, found mostly in Noble County, will be on display. Attendees will be able to handle weapons from centuries ago.

Then, on Friday, Dr. Mark Schurr, a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame, will speak on the topic “Archaeology of the French in Northern Indiana – Does it Exist?” (6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Community Center)

The first historical record of the French presence in northern Indiana dates to 1679 when Réné Robert Cavalier, Sieur de Lasalle traveled along what is now the St. Joseph River to the Kankakee River using the portage in South Bend. However, the French established only one permanent settlement in the northern
Indiana (Fort Miami in what is now Ft. Wayne). Very little archaeological evidence is available about the French presence in the region. Historic records and a few site investigations show what kind of evidence we should look for if we want to document evidence of French activities in northern Indiana, including in
places like Kosciusko County.

On Saturday, September 14, seven individual activities and experts share information on what life was like back in the 1800s. (10:00 a.m. – Noon, WACF’s Ruddell Pavillion)

These include a demonstration of the Atlatl tool, flint knapping, and presentations by a 1754 French Marine, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Archaeological Division, metal detecting, and others.  With so much to see and do, this Saturday program has been incredibly popular with children and families.

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Survival of the Myaamia People

Due to last year’s overwhelming response, Chautauqua Wawasee is offering a second program to learn more about the Myaamia people and culture.  The Myaamia community is much more than just street names and artifacts. They are a vibrant contemporary people whose history has shaped many of our lives here in Indiana. Historian Cam Shriver will talk about the fight against the Myaamia nation’s removal from their Indiana homelands, and what it was like for the many families who remained in the state.

Shriver, Senior Research Associate in the Myaamia Center, works on Indigenous history, with a particular emphasis on the Myaamia experience of the last four centuries. Most recently, his research has investigated histories of colonial and Native American education and the legal and social history of Myaamia allotments.

Shriver’s scholarly research emerged from ongoing conversations with the community and the Miami Tribe’s Cultural Resources Office. In addition to various courses in early American history, Shriver frequently teaches “Introduction to the Miami Tribe” at Miami University, and he will be sharing his knowledge with us this coming September!

This Saturday program runs from 10:00 am until noon outdoors at WACF’s Ruddell Pavilion south of Syracuse at 11586 N. SR 13.  This is a FREE Event.

WHEN: Sept. 7th – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: WACF Ruddell Pavilion – 11586 N. State Road 13, Syracuse

COST: FREE TO ATTEND!

Follow us on Facebook, or call us at 574-377-7543 for more information! 

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Join us for a Walk Down Memory Lane-2024

Step Back in Time with “A Walk Down Memory Lane”

Chautauqua Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are teaming up once again to present the second annual “A Walk Down Memory Lane” event. This free program, open to all ages, takes place on July 20th from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Oakwood Resort in Syracuse.

The event will feature screenings of historic films showcasing Syracuse and Lake Wawasee, including from the Teetor and Rodabaugh families, among others. These cinematic treasures offer a unique glimpse into the lives and landscapes of yesteryear, showcasing how our area has evolved over time.

In addition to the film screenings, attendees will have the opportunity to contribute their own oral histories. Those unable to share their stories at the event can arrange a separate time with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum to record their recollections.

Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in local history, share your stories, and connect with fellow community members. Mark your calendars for July 20th and join us at the Oakwood Resort for an afternoon of nostalgia, laughter, and discovery.
Remember, admission is free, but the memories you’ll make are priceless!

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