Victorian Chautauqua

06/01/2026

Reminiscent of a bygone era, Circus Stella will premiere at the Vaudeville stage both Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12. The troupe combines laughter with awe-inspiring feats, dazzling aerial acrobatics, daring balancing acts, and the comedic canine capers of performing and adorable rescued dogs! You can’t upstage a dog.

Gather the family to laugh, cheer, and be amazed at Circus Stella. It’s the perfect blend of fun and excitement for all ages.

05/31/2026

SATURDAY, JULY 11 PROGRAM

Visit the Victorian Chautauqua sight to see the Saturday lineup. We have an exciting day of programming, including Maryland's Poet Laureate, Lady Brion. See more details about historical portrayals of FDR, Charles Lindbergh, and General George Crook. Lectures on the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the Appalachian International Trail. Soprano, Savanna Butcher, will introduce you to opera.

You won't want to miss Vaudeville in the Street with magic, classical guitar, Circus Stella, and Crellin Steel Drum Band.

All weekend, you can get an astrological reading, be amazed by Lars, the contact juggler, commission a tintype photograph, enjoy a free horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic district, and look up to see the glamorous stilt walker. Chat with the festival barker, visit Bethel Center and the Ticket Office Museum, take a trolley tour, and shop for that special item at Artisan Row.

SEE FULL SCHEDULE

A full weekend of historical portrayals, lectures, live music, demonstrations, food, and much more make the Victorian Chautauqua the summer’s best event in Mountain Lake Park, Maryland.

05/26/2026

Maryland's Governor Wes Moore visited Bethel Center in the Historic District of Mountain Lake Park on Friday. He praised the work that preserved, moved, and restored Garrett County's only A.M.E. Church from 1900. Request a visit by writing to: contact.mlpha.org.

Read more about the visit
https://mlpha.org/blog/governor-moore-embraces-bethel-center

05/25/2026

A small group gathered to welcome Governor Wes Moore for his first visit to Bethel Center, Garrett County’s only African Methodist Episcopal Church that once served a vibrant community at the turn of the twentieth century.

05/15/2026

Headlining this year’s event is Maryland’s Poet Laureate, Lady Brion, in a single performance at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 11. You won’t want to miss this impressive international spoken word artist, activist, organizer, educator, and the executive director of Maryland’s Black Arts District, an organization she founded in 2019.

Lady Brion is also widely recognized for slam poetry, a highly energetic, competitive poetry form with an expressive style, often focusing on personal experiences and social issues. The Garrett County Arts Council is proud to sponsor Brion’s premiere performance in Garrett County.

READ MORE

Headlining this year’s event is Maryland’s Poet Laureate, Lady Brion, in a single performance at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 11. She is an impressive international spoken word artist, activist, organizer, educator, and the executive director of Maryland’s Black Arts District, an organization she...

03/28/2026

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/revolutionary-writers-poetry-festival-tickets-1983151123395

Join us in person for the Revolutionary Writers Poetry Festival, where bold voices ignite powerful words!

03/27/2026

Do you have plans to travel to the Northeast this year? Check out USA Today's "Go Escape" publication. Maryland is highlighted, beginning on page 70, along with an ad for the Victorian Chautauqua on page 71.

https://usatodayspecial-va.newsmemory.com/?special=Go+Escape+North+East&date=20260323

02/13/2026

Are you a history lover? Would you like to review an array of history projects? Check out this volunteer opportunity with Maryland Humanities to judge work by middle and high school students.

SEE FLYER FOR DETAILS

02/13/2026

EDUCATORS
Need a Continuing Professional Development Credit? Are you judgey? Check out this volunteer opportunity with Maryland Humanities.

SEE FLYER FOR DETAILS