The Chautauqua neighbourhood in Niagara-on-the-Lake owes its name to the Niagara Assembly’s Canadian Chautauqua, established here in 1887. Inspired by the successful Chautauqua movement that began in New York State, the assembly transformed this area of town into a summer destination that brought together education, religion, music and recreation. Visitors may have come for the lectures, but they didn’t spend all day taking notes. A section of the property overlooking Lake Ontario was set aside as Ryerson Park, providing a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, as these people are seen doing in this photograph. Visitors could also take advantage of a variety of recreational activities, including lawn bowling, tennis, croquet, baseball and golf. Boats could be rented for rowing or fishing, along with bathing costumes, making it easy to spend a day on the water.