Summer By The Mississippi

Drive north along the Great River Road along the Mississippi River and you’ll see a break between high limestone bluffs, the location for New Piasa Chautauqua. Chautauqua began in the late 19th century as a tent camp for Methodist Sunday School teachers. Tents were later replaced by permanent structures, some moved from the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, and Chautauqua soon became a friendly summer resort.

Every summer I photographed the place I regarded as a sanctuary, a blissful summer hangout for overworked parents and hurried children. I did not set out to document individual buildings, roads, trees, or anything else in the community. I wanted to capture the feeling of being in this special place. I followed the light in the morning and late evening. It became dappled and sometimes you would see the light bounce on porch screens. You could even see the humid air. I was moved by the richness of the light in the trees that tower in the background of many buildings on the grounds.

Except for the kids on bikes, people mostly move slowly at Chautauqua. It’s a place to unwind. I photographed it with a wooden field view camera and film that comes in sheets. It’s a slow process.

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