 The Chautauqua amphitheater is a pretty simple structure. It has a roof, it has a bowl with open air seating for about 4,000 people that connects us all. A big stage where lots of great performances happen. A huge pipe organ, bleacher seats, and the backstage with a back porch. Although it's simple, Chautauquins are pretty attached to it, not just because of all the famous speakers and events that have taken place there, but because it feels so authentically, well, Chautauquins. Old buildings like the amphitheater need to be enhanced over time. Over the years, incremental changes have been made that have maintained the historic integrity of the amphitheater. The roof and shape of the space look pretty much the same today as they did in 1893. That's important. This amphitheater is the centerpiece of the National Historic Landmark District, and that means we should do everything possible to preserve it. In 2010, Chautauqua Institution formed a study group to recommend how to improve safety, sight lines, and functionality of the amphitheater. The study group included the architect for the project. The architect came up with a plan that lowered the stage, removed the bleachers, changed the shape of the bowl, made the roof bigger, removed half the columns, added a big backstage area so large trucks can back right up to stage level. The messy organ would stay, but saving the roof and columns became a problem. It was cheaper and faster to replace that, too. Everyone thought the amp was being fixed. The institution didn't announce that they were actually demolishing and replacing the amp with a replica. When a group of Chautauquins heard about it, they organized historic preservation organizations and community members. They found an experienced historic restoration architect to help develop a plan to improve and save the amp. Even though Chautauqua Institution would not provide the information they needed, CJS architects from Western New York still came up with some pretty interesting ideas. Keep the location of the stage, bowl, and columns the way they are today and fix what's not working. Add steps and railings to the existing ramps. Strengthen the existing roof. Add a totally new backstage. Add a lot of great new technology. Bring in portable bleachers when you need them. You pretty much have what we have today, only much better. Chautauqua Institution needs to seriously explore these ideas before the amp is gone forever. History matters. Save the amp.