The National Trust for Historic Preservation has just announced that the Chautauqua Amphitheater will be included on their annual list of 11 most endangered places. From the press release:
Chautauqua Amphitheater is a National Historic Landmark located 70 miles southwest of Buffalo, N.Y. Known colloquially as the Amp, the Chautauqua Amphitheater, which has hosted a wide range of leaders, activists and artists over its 122-year history, is threatened by the Chautauqua Institution’s plan to demolish the Amp for a new building.
“The story of the Amp is the story of America’s political, cultural and spiritual identity,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Before television, radio and the internet, America had the Amp to communicate and share the news, music and gospel of the day. For well over a hundred years, it has occupied a special place in American culture, and we believe a solution can be found to ensure that it stands for the next 100 years.”
The National Trust has supported the Chautauqua Institution in the past for their thoughtful stewardship of this iconic structure. A coalition of preservation groups, including the National Trust, is now calling on the Institution’s distinguished Board of Trustees to reconsider the need to replace this unique, beloved structure. The Amp is an authentic and important part of the Institutions’ history of intellectual engagement, entertainment and debate.
Chautauqua transformed American life as the first multi-use retreat in the U.S. that is an arts colony, music festival, village square and summer encampment all at once, spawning dozens of “daughter” Chautauquas throughout the U.S. Chautauqua programs have explored important religious, social and political issues of the day; engaged individuals and families in response to these issues; and fostered excellence in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts. Historical figures who have spoken, performed or visited Chautauqua include Franklin Delano Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan, Susan B. Anthony, Thurgood Marshall, Bobby Kennedy, Lionel Hampton, Marian Anderson, Van Cliburn, Booker T. Washington, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Sandra Day O’Connor.
Inclusion on this list is a powerful statement of this building’s importance, by a highly respected national organization. More than 250 sites across the country have been added to the list over its 28 year history. Only a small number of listed sites have been lost over that time. Per the Jamestown Post, Trust spokesman Alicia Leuba stated that nominations for inclusion of the Amp on their list came from numerous sources across the country. To be included on the list a place must meet three criteria:
- Significance
- Urgency, immediate action needed to stop a threat
- Potential alternative options other than demolition are available
The Amp easily meets all of these criteria. The Jamestown Post goes on to quote Leuba:“We do believe there are other options to demolition, and we encourage the Institution to embrace a preservation-based renovation plan,” she said. “We hope (the inclusion of the amphitheater in this list) will encourage the institution to take a fresh look at preservation alternatives, and engage their community and visitors in a dialogue about the future of the amphitheater.”
If the board of the Chautauqua institution has its way the Amp will be removed from the most endangered list by adding it to the list of the lost. Losing irreplaceable historic buildings like this is something Buffalo knows all too well. While this building is not in Buffalo, it is part of the chain of irreplaceable jewels that surround and enhance life in the metro area. Loss of the Amp IS a loss to Buffalo as well. When it is gone it will be gone forever. Add your voice to those who believe that our national historic heritage is not something you can throwaway and replace with Disney style replicas. Here are some contacts where you can have your say and help save this building which must not be demolished. The first group are organizations actively working to save the building. The second group of individuals are some of the members appointed by the Institution to their Amp historic review committee:
- Chautauqua Institution (1.800.836.ARTS)
- Committee to preserve the Historic Chautauqua Amphitheater
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Preservation League of New York State, Jay Dilorenzo
- Historical Society of Erie County, Caleb Pifer
- Preservation Buffalo Niagara, Peter Flynn
- NYS Historic Preservation Office, Kathleen LaFrank, 518-268-2165
- NYS Historic Preservation Office, Jennifer Walkowski, 518-268-2137
Buffalo Rising has been following the planned demolition of the historic Chautauqua Amphitheater (the Amp) for the last 6 months or so. You can get the back story in these earlier stories here, here, here, here and here.