No, the Institution did not turn down a gift. There was a donor who expressed an interest, but later decided against it.  

We shared the following in the Chautauqua Community Newsletter.

We’ve heard you! There is no replacement for getting your coffee at the Gazebo on Miller Avenue. Coffee service is moving back to the Gazebo in the summer of 2025. Service will include a full roster of coffee and espresso drinks, plus tea and breakfast items. Improvements to the facility include inside infrastructure updates for more efficient service, climate control to create a safe working environment for our staff, and external aesthetic repairs.

We are also excited that murals created through a collaboration with the Chautauqua Property Owners Association (CPOA) and Chautauqua Visual Arts (CVA) will adorn the outside of the Gazebo as it returns to service this summer. All sides of the Gazebo will be adorned by black and white block-printed artwork crafted by members of the Chautauqua community in 2024 to commemorate the CPOA’s 60th anniversary and the Institution’s 150th anniversary. The artwork was created by people of all ages during a community event organized by the CPOA in collaboration with CVA. Participants were prompted to create an image that represented Chautauqua to them, so passers-by will see symbols of everything from boats to bats to the bell tower.

Do you have a question you would like the Chautauqua Fact Checker to address? Click here to submit your question.