Culver History Gallery

The Center has a new exhibit on Culver religious history which features sections on the spiritual beliefs of the early native americans of the area and how they were influenced by jesuit and methodist missionaries in Culver, a photographic display of Culver’s historic churches, and history of Culver’s Chautauqua Assemblies, whose cultural and religious influenced offerings influenced Culver religious and educational life and generated tourist interest around the turn of the century. In addition, the exhibit includes artifacts (church register and pictoral bible) from the Maxinkuckee Church, located in the former Maxinkuckee village. There is also a beautifully illustrated 1877 baptismal certificate from Zion Church, which, before merging with Grace Church in 1950) held services southwest of town, near today’s Zion Cemetary.

See below excerpts from Citizen articles and Assembly pamphlets:

The program for August 1903, the Chautauqua at the town Assembly ground located east of Main street to the Lake.

Calendar Maxinkuckee Assembly August 5 to 22
Aug. 5—Opening Day
Aug. 6—Children’s Rally Day
Aug. 7—Lord’s Day Service
Aug 8—Temperance Day
Aug 9—Farmer’s Day
Aug 10—Prohibitions Rally Day
Aug 11—Young People Conference
August 12-15— National SS Conference
Aug 17-18—State W.C.T.U. Meeting
Aug. 18-22—National Evangelistic Congress
Aug. 22—Close

Day Services are all free. The evening will be used for lectures, entertainments etc, for which 10 cents will be charged. An excellent program has been provided which will be announced from time to time by small bills. Everybody is invited to these meetings. Assembly Hotel rate 50 cents for lodging, meals 25 cents.

————————————————————
The following gravely written article reports on a mock-trial that took place at the 1903 Chautauqua. The proceedings apparently had a full slate of judge, jury, and witnesses, and took place in the open-air tabernacle in the oak grove.

Miss Jeanette Scharle Charged With Violation of Rules and Destruction of Property and Good Will:
Great sensation in beautiful Maxinkuckee Park

One of Chicago’s fairest young ladies under arrest. Tried on the very grounds for misdemeanor, where she had come to spend a pleasant and quiet outing.

She was arraigned on two charges; that of destruction of property nad destroying the peace and good will of those who were trying to sleep. This occurrence took place on the second floor of the hotel between the hours of eleven and twelve o’clock p. m. The young lady accidentally tipped over a pitcher of water and knocked down a handful of nails on the floor both of which found exit through a knot-hole just over Mr. Taylor’s room. The young man’s new 49-cent hat that had only been worn six years was badly damaged and had to be hung out in the sunshine along with his bathing suit.

The judge in making his charge to the jury spoke of the facts that were brought before them and said a verdict should be so returned in accordance with the criminal attempt of the perpetrator, which was to be a submerging into the lake of the prisoner by the sheriff not less than three or more than seven times in rapid succession. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty in the first degree. The audience seem to fully appreciate the gravity of the situation as at times it was utterly impossible for the court to proceed. Feeling that mob law would be brought into service unless the jury gave a very strong decision against the prisoner. While this has been only the beginning of a mock court, yet the large numbered who gathered to attend it in the tabernacle though it one of the most enjoyable features of the assembly.