Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Save AND Improve the Amp!
For more than three years the Chautauqua Institution stated that it was pursuing a “rehabilitation" and “upgrade plan" that would improve our historic Amphitheater. The Amp has been referred to as the “sacred space" and “beating heart" of a community where the core of American life and ideals have been shaped for more than 120 years.
In fact, the Amp will be demolished (save for the organ loft) beginning in 2016 and completed in 2018. Our historic treasure will be no more, replaced by a new $41.5 million replica.
This controversial plan is wrong and unnecessary.We must stop the Amp's demolition and develop an improvement plan that also preserves its historic integrity.
We can do that with your help!
Please join with
other in the Chautauqua community and regional historic preservation
organizations by signing this online
petition to the Chairman of the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees.
To view the updated list of ALL signators, go to www.savetheamp.org and click "Read Petition Comments."
Thanks you for your support!
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Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
June 30, 2015
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 24, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
November 6, 2014
1,492 Comments
I've been going to Chautauqua every summer since I was ten years old. I've seen everyone from Ethel Merman to Ella Fitzgerald perform in the Amphitheater. You will never replicate the historical and glorious patina that makes this current structure glow.
Chautauqua Institution has been duplicitous to Chautauquans and to the federal government, from whom it accepted funds for restoration. The amphitheater is a valuable part of our national heritage and should be treated with respect and dignity.
One of the great things about the Chautauqua Institution and the Amphitheater is the authenticity. If our authentic, historic, Amp is replaced with a faux replica, it will no longer be authentic or historic. We can upgrade the Amp without destroying it.
Perhaps an improvement of the "back-of-the-house" facilities can be done and would be sufficient. A lot has already been installed in lighting and sound improvements in the "front-of-the-house". The argument for improved acoustics doesn't hold water.
30,000,000 could be better spent at Chautauqua in many ways in addition to saving the center piece of many great years of great events and the reason Chautauqua was founded in the first place bigger is not always better you are losing the Chautauqua Idea
Save the Amphitheater, don't demolish it
I'm disgusted they are tearing down the theater. I sang there at all county choirs for ten years in a row. This makes me beyond sad.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Save AND Improve the Amp!
For more than three years the Chautauqua Institution stated that it was pursuing a “rehabilitation" and “upgrade plan" that would improve our historic Amphitheater. The Amp has been referred to as the “sacred space" and “beating heart" of a community where the core of American life and ideals have been shaped for more than 120 years.
In fact, the Amp will be demolished (save for the organ loft) beginning in 2016 and completed in 2018. Our historic treasure will be no more, replaced by a new $41.5 million replica.
This controversial plan is wrong and unnecessary.We must stop the Amp's demolition and develop an improvement plan that also preserves its historic integrity.
We can do that with your help!
Please join with
other in the Chautauqua community and regional historic preservation
organizations by signing this online
petition to the Chairman of the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees.
To view the updated list of ALL signators, go to www.savetheamp.org and click "Read Petition Comments."
Thanks you for your support!
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
June 30, 2015
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 24, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
November 6, 2014
1,492 Comments
As a local resident and previously employed at the Institute with the Summer School for the Fine and Performing arts for 10 years this next step of destroying the history here is the largest in a long line of removing Chautauquas' precious past.
I've been going to Chautauqua every summer since I was ten years old. I've seen everyone from Ethel Merman to Ella Fitzgerald perform in the Amphitheater. You will never replicate the historical and glorious patina that makes this current structure glow.
Chautauqua Institution has been duplicitous to Chautauquans and to the federal government, from whom it accepted funds for restoration. The amphitheater is a valuable part of our national heritage and should be treated with respect and dignity.
One of the great things about the Chautauqua Institution and the Amphitheater is the authenticity. If our authentic, historic, Amp is replaced with a faux replica, it will no longer be authentic or historic. We can upgrade the Amp without destroying it.
Perhaps an improvement of the "back-of-the-house" facilities can be done and would be sufficient. A lot has already been installed in lighting and sound improvements in the "front-of-the-house". The argument for improved acoustics doesn't hold water.
30,000,000 could be better spent at Chautauqua in many ways in addition to saving the center piece of many great years of great events and the reason Chautauqua was founded in the first place bigger is not always better you are losing the Chautauqua Idea
Save the Amphitheater, don't demolish it
I'm disgusted they are tearing down the theater. I sang there at all county choirs for ten years in a row. This makes me beyond sad.
Share Petition
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As a local resident and previously employed at the Institute with the Summer School for the Fine and Performing arts for 10 years this next step of destroying the history here is the largest in a long line of removing Chautauquas' precious past.