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Lyceum

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Josiah Holbrook, a teacher and lecturer, founded the first lyceum in 1826 in Millbury, Massachusetts. Lyceums were basically an early form of organized adult education. By 1831, over 800 lyceums existed. At first the lyceums were local organizations with speakers supplied by the community. By 1840 they had become professional institutions that hired outside, free-lance lecturers.

In 1868, James Redpath established the Boston Lyceum Bureau, where he secured high lecture fees for his celebrities. Redpath wanted to have entertainers as well as just lecturers or musicians. It was not easy since many lecturers appeared in church halls. Magicians would therefor feature music as part of their act.

Many of the early lyceum magicians, such as Joseffy, who played the violin. were also musicians. Others, hired musical acts to appear with them. Walter Floyd, claiming to be the "First Magician in the Lyceum Field", in 1881, presented "An Evening of Merriment, Melody and Mystification".

See also Chautauqua

References