Learning on Vacation

Have you ever pondered if famed political leaders were primarily chosen by historical events and therefore primarily driven by their contexts, or do such leaders possess unique characteristics that would drive them to seize glory and power and to leave their mark on history in any era? Why are some leaders called “the Great” by popular acclaim (Alexander, Genghis, Peter, Catherine, Fredrick) and why have some become archetypes of…

Robert Chatterton Dickson is an international affairs consultant based in London. Until June 2026 he was a senior member of the British Diplomatic Service. His 36-year career combined leadership in complex and dangerous environments with London-based appointments at the heart of U.K. foreign policy and national security. His remarks as part of Chautauqua’s probe into “Global Power and Our Evolving International Order” will…

Miles Yu is a senior fellow and director of the China Center at Hudson Institute. He is also a professor of East Asia and military and naval history at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Yu specializes in Chinese military and strategic culture, U.S. and Chinese military and diplomatic history, and U.S. policy toward China. He joins Chautauqua’s weeklong exploration of “Global Power and Our Evolving International…

Robert Kagan is the Stephen & Barbara Friedman Senior Fellow with the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings, and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. Until recently, he also served as a contributing columnist at The Washington Post. Kagen served in the State Department from 1984 to 1988 as a member of the policy planning staff, as principal speechwriter for Secretary of…

Learn about the foundation of Jamestown’s industries on this walking tour. Beginning at the Fenton History Center and progressing through the pioneer period to the early 1900s, and never leaving the area around Brooklyn Square. Participants will meet at the Fenton History Center at 10:00 a.m. The Fenton History Center conducts historic walking tours from June to August. The cost is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Participants can…

Join us at 10:30 am on Saturday and Sunday mornings for a small-group guided tour behind the scenes of the Johnson Estate Gardens and Vineyards. This 45-minute walk leads you through our historic estate as you explore the grape varieties we grow and discover how the Lake Erie Region’s climate and unique geology help us craft so many award-winning wines. After your tour, you’ll be welcomed to FLIGHT, our outdoor tasting venue, for…

SPEAKER:Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D.Drexel University TOPIC:While incredible technological advances have been made in preparing for the future of food, one—good cooking—is too often left out of the conversation. In this talk, learn how chefs, specifically research chefs working at the intersection of culinary arts and food science, work with physicians, food scientists, urban planners, and dietitians to ensure an equitable and sustainable…

As August brings us the absolute best of summer, join us for an unforgettable culinary experience high above the vineyards. Our Dinner on the Ridge invites you to an exclusive, multi-course dinner hosted right here at the Estate, featuring breathtaking, panoramic sunset views over Lake Erie. With seating strictly limited to just 45 guests, this intimate evening is a true celebration of the season’s peak flavors, paired beautifully with our…

Join us at 10:30 am on Saturday and Sunday mornings for a small-group guided tour behind the scenes of the Johnson Estate Gardens and Vineyards. This 45-minute walk leads you through our historic estate as you explore the grape varieties we grow and discover how the Lake Erie Region’s climate and unique geology help us craft so many award-winning wines. After your tour, you’ll be welcomed to FLIGHT, our outdoor tasting venue, for…