Chautauqua [Institution]: An Appreciation 1924 George William Gerwig SIGNED ~Rare

Title: Chautauqua: An Appreciation

Author: George William Gerwig

Description: Inscribed by the author on front free endpaper. One of 1000 copies, printed on Roycroft deckle edge watermarked paper and done into a book for Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY. Quarter leather with light brown papered sides, gilt lettering on spine and front cover. Spine leather is quite worn. Interior is clean. Four illustrations from photographs on plates. 44 pages. Four institutional copies located on OCLC. (Yale, UPenn, Allegheny College, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library- Rare Book Room).

Nine short essays lauding the Chautauqua Institution and the variety of opportunities and pleasures it gives to the summer visitors of all ages. Gerwig describes life at Chautauqua it its various settings, from Palestine Park, to the Hall of Philosophy and the Amphitheater, from Chautauqua Sundays to the Boys' and Girls' Clubs and the Woman's Club. The charms and the joy of Chautauqua are vibrantly expressed by one who clearly adored it.

Inscribed ''To my ancient and / beloved room - / mate - who is / still the joy / of my life - / With the com- / plements of the / author / G. W. Gerwig''. The widow, Susan Margaret Walton Palmer (c. 1862-1950), lived with George W. Gerwig for more than four decades after the death of his wife Margaret in 1901, and helped him raise his youngest children. They share a residence in the 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940 and 1950 censuses.

George William Gerwig (1867-1950) was an educator, author, lecturer, and a longtime resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served in several significant capacities in the educational life of Pittsburgh, including as Secretary of the Allegheny Board of School Controllers (1892-1911), Secretary of the Pittsburgh Board of Education (1911-1929), and secretary and treasurer of the Henry Clay Frick Educational Foundation. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and well acquainted with Willa Cather from his time in that state. He is thought to be at least partly responsible for her move to Pittsburgh to teach English at Allegheny High School.

Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good–

Publisher: Printed by the Roycrofters at Their Shops
Place: East Aurora, N.Y.
Year: 1924

Keywords: educators, education, Pittsburgh, Frick Foundation, Chautauqua Institution, George W. Gerwig,