ALL studies and findings on both sides of the issue should be made public. There should be open discussion and debate., and no " behind closed doors" unilateral Voard decisions. A valuable historical landmark is at stake, and there are questions as to whether the infrastructure of the Institution can withstand the demolition and reconstruction. I am appalled that there are talks at the Institution presenting only one side of the debate. This is contrary to the spirit of the Institute, and is disconcerting. Open the findings. Open the discussion. THAT is the spirit that Chautauqua holds dear.
J
John Watson
10 years ago
With new information on preservation opportunities, it seems foolhardy to tear down this historic building without examining an option to preserve
C
Cecilia Gamboa
10 years ago
Save the Amphitheater!
B
Bonnie Downen
10 years ago
This is a treasure that needs to be preserved. New is not always better.
C
Cynthia Seiler
10 years ago
Please recognize how vital the act of preservation and reuse is to Chautauqua's very identity. This would be a huge blow and loss to this magical place.
S
Steven Cox
10 years ago
I've been a Chautauquian for my entire life of 36yrs. It's now in my wife's blood and my children's blood. My kids already can not experience the "real" Chautauqua feel, because it is too expensive for us to attend during the season. We are forced to experience Chautauqua in the off season. I have videos of my girls dancing on the hardwood of the stage and a wonderful photo of all 3 of my kids with the beautiful pipes from the pipe organ in the background. This treasure can not be destroyed. Thunder bridge is not the same thunder bridge as when i was a kid. Chautauqua always boast about how preservation is the way to go. Chautauqua got rid of the William Baker hotel and the grass tennis courts at main gate as well. Only to rebuild. Don't trash up this gem. The Athenaeum Hotel or the Pier building and Bell Tower could be next.
L
Lawrence Schmetterer MD
10 years ago
The amp is an historic institution in and of itself. Rehab to keep safe, but please do not destroy it.
D
Dianne Hayden
10 years ago
Please don't demolish the historic Amphitheater.
L
Leslie Kusic
10 years ago
Update and improve but please do not demolish this historical landmark that has meant so much to my fsmilynandnto generations of Chautauquans. Use these millions for scholarships and keep Chautauqua affordable for the next generations. PLEASE!
S
Sam Kusic
10 years ago
The structure in and of itself has the historical significance and feeling the no replica will ever have. Repairing it is the less expensive and more viable alternative.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Please save the Amp! Evidence has shown that it can be saved and it should be- it is an historic landmark not just for the current Chautauqua community, but as a symbol of the Chautauqua movement.
A
Alyce M. Jenkins
10 years ago
As a visitor to Chautauqua every summer and one who cherishes its history, I strongly urge that NO CHANGES BE MADE TO THE AMP at this time. Further study and consultation with experts will provide alternative solutions to the structural problems there and yet maintain the historic features of a buillding cherished by those of us who enjoy the historical quality of the Chautauqua Institution. It appears frequently in my forthcoming book about the dogs of Chautauqua. Please do not act rashly and destroy a building important to Chautauquans for many years!
C
Cherilyn Widell
10 years ago
The Amp is the Penn Station of our American conscious !
D
Dale Fiet
10 years ago
A must save architectural treasure
J
joan schultz
10 years ago
what is wrong with the administration and the trustees? Shame on them!
S
Susan Warren
10 years ago
They tore down the Larkin Administration Building in Buffalo. They tore down Frank Lloyd Wright's Larkin Administration Building; they are completing the restoration of FLW's Darwin D Martin house and Complex in Buffalo. Which decision benefitted the community the most? Demolishing the Amp is too close to demolishing the Larkin Administration Building. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
K
Katherine Brown
10 years ago
save, do not destroy, the amp
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
I think it is not realistic to expect that this could be done in between seasons, nor is it realistic to expect that this can be done without sacrificing the charm and integrity of the heart of Chautauqua. It will scar us all. Restore don't replace, please.
S
Selden Campen
10 years ago
Demolishing the Amp has not achieved a consensus among Chautauquans
ALL studies and findings on both sides of the issue should be made public. There should be open discussion and debate., and no " behind closed doors" unilateral Voard decisions. A valuable historical landmark is at stake, and there are questions as to whether the infrastructure of the Institution can withstand the demolition and reconstruction. I am appalled that there are talks at the Institution presenting only one side of the debate. This is contrary to the spirit of the Institute, and is disconcerting. Open the findings. Open the discussion. THAT is the spirit that Chautauqua holds dear.
With new information on preservation opportunities, it seems foolhardy to tear down this historic building without examining an option to preserve
Save the Amphitheater!
This is a treasure that needs to be preserved. New is not always better.
Please recognize how vital the act of preservation and reuse is to Chautauqua's very identity. This would be a huge blow and loss to this magical place.
I've been a Chautauquian for my entire life of 36yrs. It's now in my wife's blood and my children's blood. My kids already can not experience the "real" Chautauqua feel, because it is too expensive for us to attend during the season. We are forced to experience Chautauqua in the off season. I have videos of my girls dancing on the hardwood of the stage and a wonderful photo of all 3 of my kids with the beautiful pipes from the pipe organ in the background. This treasure can not be destroyed. Thunder bridge is not the same thunder bridge as when i was a kid. Chautauqua always boast about how preservation is the way to go. Chautauqua got rid of the William Baker hotel and the grass tennis courts at main gate as well. Only to rebuild. Don't trash up this gem. The Athenaeum Hotel or the Pier building and Bell Tower could be next.
The amp is an historic institution in and of itself. Rehab to keep safe, but please do not destroy it.
Please don't demolish the historic Amphitheater.
Update and improve but please do not demolish this historical landmark that has meant so much to my fsmilynandnto generations of Chautauquans. Use these millions for scholarships and keep Chautauqua affordable for the next generations. PLEASE!
The structure in and of itself has the historical significance and feeling the no replica will ever have. Repairing it is the less expensive and more viable alternative.
Please save the Amp! Evidence has shown that it can be saved and it should be- it is an historic landmark not just for the current Chautauqua community, but as a symbol of the Chautauqua movement.
As a visitor to Chautauqua every summer and one who cherishes its history, I strongly urge that NO CHANGES BE MADE TO THE AMP at this time. Further study and consultation with experts will provide alternative solutions to the structural problems there and yet maintain the historic features of a buillding cherished by those of us who enjoy the historical quality of the Chautauqua Institution. It appears frequently in my forthcoming book about the dogs of Chautauqua. Please do not act rashly and destroy a building important to Chautauquans for many years!
The Amp is the Penn Station of our American conscious !
A must save architectural treasure
what is wrong with the administration and the trustees? Shame on them!
They tore down the Larkin Administration Building in Buffalo. They tore down Frank Lloyd Wright's Larkin Administration Building; they are completing the restoration of FLW's Darwin D Martin house and Complex in Buffalo. Which decision benefitted the community the most? Demolishing the Amp is too close to demolishing the Larkin Administration Building. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
save, do not destroy, the amp
I think it is not realistic to expect that this could be done in between seasons, nor is it realistic to expect that this can be done without sacrificing the charm and integrity of the heart of Chautauqua. It will scar us all. Restore don't replace, please.
Demolishing the Amp has not achieved a consensus among Chautauquans
SAVE THE AMP!!!