Chautauqua Hall To Be Restored

DE FUNIAK SPRINGS, FL August 8, 2004 -- Almost 100 years after Wallace Bruce built the magnificent Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood in the Lake Yard in De Funiak Springs, Florida, a newly-formed non-profit foundation is working to restore the structure to its original splendor.

The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Foundation, Inc., organized in May 2003 to restore building to its original state and to reconstruct the large auditorium that was destroyed by Hurricane Eloise in 1975 recently was notified that the Internal Revenue Service has declared the foundation to be a "Public Charity" as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Now the Foundation is initiating fund-raising efforts. Once the auditorium is restored, De Funiak Springs can reclaim her heritage of providing cultural and educational entertainments for Northwest Florida.

In 1893 when Wallace Bruce took over the struggling Florida Chautauqua Assembly in De Funiak Springs, the Assembly had a deficit of nearly $19,000. Ten years later, he had turned the Assembly around and began construction of a $28,000 public auditorium with 4000 seats centrally located in the Lake Yard adjacent to Lake De Funiak, the naturally circular lake which was the primary attraction to the founders of the city. The structure was to be named The Hall of Brotherhood. It was styled after the U.S. Capitol. The columns on the first floor represented lawmakers of the world. The columns on the second floor represented American statesmen, great generals, and leaders of literature, science and religious thought everywhere. The Hall was to contain a total of 150 columns and for a $100 donation, subscribers could dedicate a column to the dignitary of their choosing.

The goal of the Chautauqua was to raise funds representing every State of the Union and nations across the sea. Even though Wallace Bruce suffered a stroke during the fund-raising and was unable to secure the amount he'd dreamed of, the Hall of Brotherhood was completed in 1909.

Wallace Bruce and the Florida Chautauqua used the Hall for lectures and performances by nationally prominent figures, including William Jennings Bryan, politicians and statesmen of the day, as well as Dr. Ian Jackson, a talented tenor singer from New York City who went through medical school and worked as a doctor long enough to save sufficient money to study under one of the great music teachers. On Children's Day at one Assembly Gertrude Schramm of Illinois directed a cast of over one hundred children in a presentation entitled The Roosevelt-Longworth Wedding Reception". Other entertainments included The Quaker Male Quartet, a comic choir, Maressa Thompson's rendition of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and Mr. Carrico and his orchestra.

Chautauqua in Northwest Florida suffered a loss in popularity with the onset of World Ward I and the mobility of the Model T. The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood was purchased by the city and converted into a multi-purpose city auditorium. The Hall began its second era, this time hosting basketball games, band festivals, USO dances, carnivals, wrestling matches, and the circus. Guest celebrities included Mario Lanza, Grandpa Jones and Minnie Pearl, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Through the years the building deteriorated and in the early 1970s an organization was established to restore the building. They gathered support from such politicians as then governor Bob Graham and had completed Phase 1 and begun Phase 2 when Hurricane Eloise swept through De Funiak Springs. In one fatal swoop it completely destroyed the auditorium portion of the building. For reasons unknown the city chose not to rebuild and for 30 years De Funiak Springs has mourned the loss.

In 2001 a group of concerned citizens gathered to quit mourning and get to work rebuilding the auditorium. In 2003 The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Foundation, Inc. was incorporated and in 2004 was designated as a "public charity pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. During the months of June and July 2004 the organization conducted a feasibility survey of 150 members of the community. The response was overwhelmingly positive with 96% in favor of rebuilding the auditorium.

"The Chautauqua Building and its auditorium has played a central role in the development of De Funiak's history–the Chautauqua Idea, the value of education and life long learning and cultural development in a spiritually and naturally uplifting environment says Craig Robinson, and local accountant: "We MUST preserve, utilize, and grow this dimension of De Funiak's character."

In the Spring of 2004 the City of De Funiak Springs determined that the current building was in need of replacement exterior siding and structure work on the upper level porches. The City applied for a historic restoration grant and The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Foundation, Inc., pledged to raise $75,000 towards matching that grant. This restoration project constitutes Phase 1 of the Foundation's capital campaign. Phase 2 will be rebuilding of the auditorium. In July 2004 Roy McLeod, president of the foundation, and Sharon Wilharm, vice president, met with Governor Jeb Bush to discuss the project.

"This is tailor-made for the statewide program," said Bush.

"There is no question in my mind as to the importance of restoring the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood and doing it as soon as possible," says Bob Gibbs. "When one looks at what sets this community apart from others in Florida, it centers upon De Funiak's respect for traditional values and the preservation of its historical treasures. A community often is defined by the choices it makes and by what it chooses to preserve. The distinctive character of our town will depend upon both our hindsight and our foresight in this endeavor."

For more information about The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Foundation, Inc., visit the website at www.chobf.org or contact Roy McLeod at (850) 892-9634 or Sharon Wilharm at (850) 951-0399.





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