What was the lyceum movement

Though there was the occasional heated political debate, most of the classes were designed to offer continuing education in many enriching aspects of life. Without television, films, radio or the Internet, the residents of rural communities were grateful for the connection to broader culture.

The movement was instrumental in starting many local public libraries and public schools and colleges. The threat of violence and rioting discouraged residents from continuing their membership. After the Civil War, the Lyceums changed their focus to one of vaudeville and lighter musical reviews and the intellectual momentum was lost. It was picked up by the Chautauqua Movement, which held concerts and classes in one setting, Lake Chautauqua, New York, in the summer months. The New Orleans Lyceum of today seeks to revive the original intent of the Lyceum Movement by providing independent community education around town, not because we have too little access to media but because we have too much.

Now it is almost a radical idea to meet face to face in real time to discuss issues and learn together outside of formal educational settings and the Internet. The need to be in real contact with others and share in respectful conversation is generally felt in our over-technologized world. The lyceums scattered throughout the nation were gathering places of local leaders, and many political figures of the day got their start by addressing a local lyceum. Abraham Lincoln, at the age of 28, gave a speech to the lyceum in Springfield, Illinois in , ten years before he would be elected to Congress and 22 years before he would be elected president.

By speaking at the Lyceum, Lincoln followed a familiar path of other young aspiring politicians. The Lyceum Movement gave them a chance to gain some respect in their local communities, and helped lead the way toward political careers.

And in addition to homegrown speakers, lyceums were also known to host prominent traveling speakers. The records of the Concord Lyceum indicate that visiting speakers included the newspaper editor Horace Greeley , the minister Henry Ward Beecher, and the abolitionist Wendell Phillips.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was in demand as a lyceum speaker, and made a living traveling and giving lectures at lyceums. Attending lyceum programs were a very popular form in entertainment in many communities, especially during winter nights.

The Lyceum Movement peaked in the years before the Civil War, though it did have a revival in the decades after the war.

Barnum , who would give lectures on temperance. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Ljungquist, Kent P. Holbrook, J. Development, , Gale, , pp.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Douglass became one of the most widely admired public figures of his time through his mesmerizing speeches at the lyceums.

Lyceums were places for men and women to educate and improve themselves by listening to knowledgeable speakers who covered topics in their field. The lectures both reflected and helped strengthen the growing interest in education in the s in America.

Lyceums definitely helped the expansion and improvement of the public school system in America. Moreover, they marked the beginning of many decades of efforts to extend the benefits of education to adults. They formed the lecture system of education, which is the staple of university education even today.

At the heart, lyceums helped to spread explosive ideas about slavery, freedom, and union. Mercantilism is one of the most influential economic doctrines in the history of economics; however,. This was a very interesting article on Lyceums.

I did not know much about Lyceums before reading this article, but I now know that they were avenues of education. It is also interesting to note that the Lyceums were responsible for the creation of the lecture system in education. Overall, this was a great article that described Lyceums and their impact on the education systems of today. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Mary's University. See all results. American Studies , Cultural History November 15, The American Lyceums. Caricature of the Salem Lyceum Courtesy of Wikipedia.