Chautauqua Tower

Chautauqua Tower is a Victorian stone structure with irregular rough-faced blocks and Richardsonian Romanesque design elements located in Glen Echo Park. The building features distinctive architectural details from that era and now functions as studio space for artists.

Built in 1892 by architect Victor Mindeleff, the tower is the last remaining structure from the National Chautauqua Assembly, which operated for just one season in Glen Echo. The site later transformed through different uses before becoming part of an arts center.

The tower reflects the educational mission of the Chautauqua movement, which organized lectures, concerts, and intellectual gatherings for middle-class visitors seeking self-improvement. Today it stands as a reminder of how communities once gathered for cultural and learning experiences.

The tower sits prominently within Glen Echo Park and is easy to locate as it stands at an elevated point on the grounds. Visitors should check park hours before visiting to plan their visit accordingly.

The tower is the sole survivor of a brief educational venture that lasted only one season before being abandoned. As the grounds later became an amusement park and eventually an arts center, this Victorian structure remained a quiet reminder of its original purpose.

Location: Glen Echo

Architectural style: Victorian architecture

GPS coordinates: 38.96610,-77.13830

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:23