Gordon Stankavage, age 8, of Highland Park, N.J., for his question:

WHAT WAS THE CHAUTAUQUA CIRCUIT?

Chautauqua is a system of summer school and correspondence school education founded at Chautauqua Lake, N.Y., in 1874. The name also refers to traveling groups, called Tent Chautauquas, which had no connection with the original educational movement. They moved from city to city with educational programs.

The Chautauqua Institution first assembled in August of 1874. The movement rapidly expanded to include a school of languages, a summer school for public school teachers, a school of theology and a series of clubs for young people interested in reading, music, fine arts, physical education and religion. In 1883 the Chautauqua University was established.

The University closed in 1898 but the Chautauqua Institution continues to maintain summer adult education programs. Facilities are also available to groups.