ROCHELLE – The Flagg Township Museum will host a series of informal talks – Chautauqua – on March 21 through March 24 from 7-8 p.m. at the museum or via Zoom. While the Chautauqua Movement initially “reflected a nation-wide interest in the professionalization of teaching” eventually it broadened to “activities that aimed at intellectual and moral self-improvement and civic involvement.” This year’s schedule of Chautauqua speakers fulfills this idea. In celebration of the museum’s year-long theme, “There’s no place like home,” the speakers all have a connection to the idea of “home.”

On Monday, Tom McDermott shares information about Rochelle athletes and sports teams in a talk called “Home vs. Visitors.” Sherrie Taylor, DAR member and census advocate, presents “Counting Homes – Rochelle and the Census” on Tuesday exploring the impact of the census in Rochelle and what’s trending in Rochelle, the county and the state as a result of the census. Take a look in one of Rochelle’s historic homes, “A Countryman Home,” on Wednesday when Arlyn Van Dyke takes us through the Harvey Countryman home and its history. Of importance to everyone is being “Safe at Home,” the talk to be presented by Ruth Carter, Director of HOPE of Ogle County on Thursday. The discussion is important for everyone and specifically for anyone who may be concerned about being safe at home.

The link to attend any of the talks via Zoom can be found on the museum website – www.flaggtownshipmuseumrochelle.org. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The mission of the Flagg Township Historical Society and Museum is to stimulate interest in Flagg Township history through education, research, collection and preservation of information for the benefit of the public of today and in the future.

Source for Chautauqua information retrieved from https://www.chautauqua.com/2021/chautauqua-movement-history/.