Chautauqua? What kind of word is that? It is a performance of living history, also called History Alive! Named for the famous Chautauqua Institute in upstate New York, a Chautauqua is a week-long event. Each evening, scholars present historical characters and workshops during the day. A Chautauqua usually has a theme and the theme of the first ever West Virginia Chautauqua, taking place in Fayetteville from July 2nd to 6th, will be The Civil War.