Rheiny Fraunfelder Chautauqua Circuit
 www.swissfamilyfraunfelder.com
Ruth Fraunfelder, Circa 1938
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The Chautauqua Circuit - 1939 to 1942

Part of Swiss Family Fraunfelder history such as these posters above are preserved through the U.S. Library of Congress and the University of  Iowa because of the yodelers' particpation in the traveling educational shows across the country known as the "Chautauqua Circuit." The poster on the top left was prepared by the show promoter, "The Redpath Bureau," one of more than 20 companies operating circuits. Originally started as a circuit of tent shows in the 1870s, the Fraunfelders probably performed in more modern venues.No complete records have been found of the Fraunfelder schedule but such circuits could last six months on the road and typically include more than 100 stops among small towns in Texas to places like San Luis Obisbo, Calif; Tucson, Arizona; Goldendale, WA Klamath Falls, OR. and Missoula, Montana.


>> Click for a readable enlargement of similar handbill


No complete records have been found of the Fraunfelder schedule but such circuits could last six months on the road and typically include more than 100 stops among small towns in Texas to places like San Luis Obisbo, Calif; Tucson, Arizona; Goldendale, WA Klamath Falls, OR. and Missoula, Montana. Below is a program for the 1940 Chautauqua Assembly, July 14 to Aug. 4, 1940, near Dayton, Ohio. The event opened with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The Fraunfelders appeared 18 days later on Aug. 1.

Flyer from Chautauqua Program for Miami, Ohio


"The Fraunfelder Family" is listed for the 1941-42 season by the Redpath Bureau, which sponsored many of the Chautauqua circuits.







1940 - Brown Lyceum Bureau
St. Louis, Missouri
Catalog of talent for schools, clubs and conventions





Excerpts from  the cover of the 1940-41 Brown Lyceum Talent Brochure, St. Louis, Mo. The Swiss Family Fraunfelder is listed in the lower left hand corner of the broadsheet cover page. This likely was one of the many spinoffs of the Chautauqua movement.


Courtesy Erika Williams, daughter of Rheiny Fraunfelder








Lake Erie Conference on Religion & Life
 Lakeside, Ohio;
Chautauqua Organization
Aug. 9,1940
The Fraunfelders Opened The Lakeside Chautauqua Season July 3, 1942



Religion and Life Brochure, 1940

Courtesy Erika Williams, daughter of Rheiny Fraunfelder


Right above, note that the lower portion of the page promoting a Lake Erie "Religion and Life Conference"  features a photo of the "Fraunfelder Family." The Lakeside organization, part of the Chautauqua Movement, is in existance today as "Lakeside Chautauqua." Visit their website at: http://www.lakesideohio.com/  As a result of their performance, they were invited to appear as the opening act of the eight-week Lakeside Chautauqua season on July 3, 1942, according to Gretchen Curtis, of the Lakeside Heritage Society. That showed the group was highly regarded by Lakeside Chautauqua organizers, she said. The auditorium seated 3,000 people in 1942.

Below is the listing from the July 3, 1942 opening performance.

1942 Lakeside Chautauqua July 3, 1942; Lakeside Chautauqua

Courtesy Lakeside Chautauqua Heritage Society