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Chautauqua Institution Study Group

The Chautauqua Institution is a summer retreat destination, located in the Southern Tier of New York. The Institution is organized around the four pillars of arts, education, religion and recreation.  Several US presidents have visited and lectured at Chautauqua, including Ulysses S. Grant, Bill Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt who delivered his historic “I hate War” speech from the stage of the Amphitheater.

Wendel is currently engaged in a study group with The Chautauqua Institution regarding the future of the Amphitheater.  The 5,000 seat open air Amphitheater is lovingly referred to as the heart of the Institution.  Chautauqua has assembled a group of industry experts to investigate topics such as history, program, operations, accessibility, community desires, capacity, longevity, etc. The task of this study group is to make recommendations as to the future of the Amphitheater and how to allocate the $20 million dollar proposed budget.

Michael J. Conroe, AIA LEED AP of Wendel, a member of the study group, has an extensive history of work on the Institution grounds.  His buildings include the AIA award winning Fletcher Music Hall, School of Music and School of Art as well as the recently completed Fowler Kellogg Art Center, and Hagen Wensley Guest House.