Visual Scavenger Hunt

The goal of this activity is to encourage visitors to explore Chautauqua Institution based on their own curiosity – what can they observe, discover and interpret meaning about in the complex environment at Chautauqua. 

The exploration questions are organized by age. In addition to the questions below, encourage them to follow the “See-Think-Wonder” method: 

  • What do you see? 
  • What do you think about what you see? 
  • What do you wonder about what you see? 

First, questions are presented based on destination. Then, there’s a list of things to find as you’re walking around to encourage observations along the way. 

An aerial view of a crowd in Bestor Plaza

Bestor Plaza Exploration Questions 

Questions for Grades PK-2: 

  • How many sides does the statue in the fountain in the middle of Bestor Plaza have? 
  • How many pillars does the Colonnade have? 
  • How many pillars does the Chautauqua Post Office have? 
  • How many pillars does Smith Memorial Library have? 
  • How many benches are on Bestor Plaza? 

Questions for Grades 3 and up: 

  • The Bestor Plaza fountain celebrates four things that Chautauqua Institution values – what are they? 
    • Music, Knowledge, Art, Religion 
    • For older students: What about each image carved in stone represents each of these things? 
  • What is the brick building with the clock on the front? 
    • Chautauqua Post Office 
  • What are the two buildings on either end of Bestor Plaza called? 
    • The Colonnade and Smith Memorial Library 
  • What is the cafe on Bestor Plaza called? 
    • The Brickwalk 
  • What is the name of the garden by the bookstore entrance? 
    • Braham Garden 
  • What 3 buildings used to be near where Bestor Plaza is now? 
    • Cheops’ Pyramid, Jewish Tabernacle, Children’s Temple 
    • Information found on a sign posted by parking area next to the Chautauqua Bookstore 
An aerial view of the Miller Bell Tower and lake shore

Miller Bell Tower Exploration Questions

Note 1: The playground near Miller Bell Tower is aimed at children in grades PK-2.  

Note 2: The questions for Grades 6-12 can be combined with the “Fletcher Hall Natural Park” questions to explore efforts made to foster strong ecosystems and the impact of those efforts on the health of Chautauqua Lake. 

Questions for PK-2

  • How many boulders line the park boundaries? 
  • What is the name of the large tower? 
  • What is the name of the large brown building? 

Questions for Grades 3-5 

  • Include the above questions. 
  • How old is the Bell Tower? 
    • It was built in 1911, subtract that from the current year. 
  • Find the Pier Building sign. What was the main way people came to Chautauqua before automobiles? 
    • Steamboat 
  • What is the name of the garden by the Bell Tower, on the shore? 
    • The Casto Garden 
  • What is Palestine Park? 
    • Palestine Park is a scale model of the Holy Land. 
    • Chautauqua Lake represents the Mediterranean Sea 
    • The stream represents the Jordan River 
    • The mound of stones at the end represents Mount Hermon. 
  • What are all the rock monuments in the ground? 
    • These are names of cities in the Holy Land. 

Grades 6-12 

  • Include the above questions 
  • Find the “Naturalized Shoreline” sign, over by Palestine Park. What does “naturalized shoreline” mean? 
    • Efforts made by Chautauqua to allow the shoreline to have natural vegetation 
  • Why is this effort important? 
    • Stabilizes the shoreline, minimizes wave impacts and erosion, offers pockets of protected shallow waters for aquatic plantings and fish, better absorbs and intercepts high nutrient run-off, restores and enhances vital shoreline habitats and offers more visual interest and natural beauty. 
An aerial view of Fletcher Music Hall

Fletcher Hall Nature Park and Rain Garden Exploration Questions 

Grades 6-12 

Sign that explains this park just outside of Fletcher Hall. 

Encourage students to explore the paths that go around Fletcher Hall. 

  • Of what benefit is this park to the environment? 
    • It naturally manages excess sediments and nutrients before they infiltrate the watershed. 
  • How does this park serve in this way? 
    • Rainwater flows from the roads, buildings and parking lots up the hill through this park, thus filtering the water before it reaches Chautauqua Lake. 
  • How were the plants selected to be included in this park? 
    • They are native to this region. 
Benches in a rain garden

Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt 

Below are things you might see as you’re walking around from place to place – see how many you can find! 

  • Hurlbut Church 
  • Bratton Theater 
  • Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall 
  • A sculpture 
  • Foot bridge 
  • Norton Memorial Hall 
  • McKnight Hall 
  • Bratton Theater 
  • Hurlbut Church 
  • Ryan Kiblin Memorial Stormwater Park (hint: it’s across from Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall) 
    • If you choose to go through this park, ask the following question: 
      • Find the sign that says “Stormwater Management Park.” How does this park benefit Chautauqua Lake? 
        • Water is filtered down from the Fletcher Hall Nature Park and Rain Garden, filtering out impurities as the water heads to Chautauqua Lake