In the late 19th century, Chautauqua Lake in western New York was home to a new form of entertainment: lectures on educational topics paired with concerts and plays. The format became so popular that it turned into traveling shows that toured the country through the early 20th century. These shows were called chautauquas, in honor of their birthplace. The name persists today for programming that combines education and entertainment. You’ll often find them put on by libraries and other local community organizations — think of a chautauqua as a community event built around learning and the arts.