Dear Goodwitch 58,
Not sure how you define "real" and will provide some factual information on Chautauqua.
Diane Picket renewed the event starting in 1976 in DeFuniak Springs. The originial event was started Feb. 10, 1885 lasting for 36 years until closing in 1920. This is the Chautauqua that was held Jan. 31-Feb 2, 2008 in DeFuniak marking it 13 year in a row.
One can go to their web site:
www.florida-chautauqua-center.org and learn the following information:
"The Florida Chautauqua Assembly was officially brought back to life by Ms. Pickett on February 10, 1996, after a hiatus of more than 75 years. Much like the original Assembly, the lecture topics for the current Assembly include history, health, art, and current events, to name a few, along with entertainment from performers across the country. Special evening vespers are also held on the Lake in much the same way they were more than 100 years ago. It is Ms. Pickett’s goal to return the Florida Chautauqua to its original 9-week program, drawing attendees from throughout the entire US. Given her success thus far, it appears that her goals are both realistic and achievable."
"The Florida Chautauqua Assembly and its related events are presented under the auspices of the Florida Chautauqua Center, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Florida-based corporation established in July 1993 for the sole purpose of reviving, promoting, and sustaining the original Florida Chautauqua."
Last year after the close of the above Assembly, Ann Robinson and others formed the new group and you can read about it at floridachautauqua.org The bylaws for this group are dated May 27, 2007 so one can tell by the dates which one was started first.