At the introductory open house, a fantastic crowd of almost 250 remembered Dixon’s Rock River Assembly where, at the turn of the 20th century, large Chautauqua inspirational gatherings were held. In the 1930’s and 1940’s, many local folks spent their evenings roller skating at the “Dome Roller Rink.”
Visitors enjoyed the wonderfully detailed diorama of the entire Assembly Park riverfront region and reminisced while gazing into the five foot diameter scale model of the architecturally significant Assembly Auditorium (later the “Dome ”.)
Rock River Assembly was formed in 1887 to train Sunday school teachers in an outdoor education format. The first, formed in 1874 at Chautauqua Lake in New York State, was the model for many Chautauquas throughout the United States. Classes in art, bible study, gymnastics and oratory were included in the curriculum along with games and outdoor activities.
Visitors enjoyed a large hotel, a Bible hall, a Sunday School and a bath house. Many rented tents for their stay. World renowned speakers and star performers both enlightened and entertained large audiences.
The exhibit’s wonderful diorama shows, through detailed scale models, every aspect of a stay on the Rock River during the years surrounding the turn of the 19th century. Placards enlighten visitors about the attraction to Chautauqua gatherings. Our model represents the original Assembly Auditorium, which was built in 1899. The building, designed by architect Martin Vaile of Dixon, had the largest clear interior span – measuring 160 feet in diameter – of any building in the United States. The auditorium could seat 5,000 people with enough room for a large stage and dressing rooms.
When visiting the exhibit you will find photographs and paintings depicting folks enjoying a weekend on the river. Photographs show the aftermath of a dramatic fire that took down the Dome Roller Rink in November of 1949; the demise of a favorite pass-time venue.
Motor cars put an end to most Chautauquas in the 1920’s when folks could take to the road for vacations. But, you can still travel back to the days before cars at the Historic Center’s wonderful Rock River Assembly exhibit.
Views of Assembly Park.
Exhibit open house draws a large crowd.
Views of the "Great Auditorium" model.
The detailed riverfront diorama.
honored to be associated with the Library of Congress,
and is designated a regional interview center for the Veterans History Project.