Badlands Chautauqua:
A Gathering of Teddys | July 17-19, 2026
Celebrating America 250 & Theodore Roosevelt’s Presidency 125
Named for the region where the movement began, Chautauquas were an education movement popular at the turn of the century. Academics, scholars, experts, and the public gathered to learn and be inspired.
“A gathering that is typically American in that it is typical of America at its best.”
July 17-19, 2026
FRIDAY
Life Skills Center Training Room
8:45 AM – Welcoming Remarks with Joe Wiegand & Kurt Skinner
9:00 AM – Theodore Roosevelt & the Boat Thieves with Rolf Sletten
10:30 AM – Theodore Roosevelt: Taxidermist, Hunter & Conservationist with John Janelli, Former President, National Taxidermy Association
Joe Ferris Lawn
11:00 AM – Rough Rider Recruitment with Kurt Skinner
Chautauqua Tent
at the Von Hoffman House
1:10 PM – Welcoming Remarks with Joe Wiegand
1:15 PM – Theodore Roosevelt with Michael Romero
1:30 PM – Teddy & Alice with John Dobmeier & Claire Riner
1:50 PM – Theodore Roosevelt & Edith Roosevelt with Kevin & Dara Oliver
2:15 PM – Ethel, Archie & Quentin Roosevelt with Lucy Seeve, Rafe Saarinen & Aksel Seeve
2:35 PM – Theodore Roosevelt with Peyton Dixon
Old Town Hall Theater
3:30 PM – T.R. – The Strenuous Life with Kurt Skinner
Burning Hills Amphitheatre
6:30 – Pictures and Meet & Greet
7:30 – The Medora Musical
SATURDAY
Town Square ShowHall
9:00 AM – The Teddy Roosevelt Show with Brunch with Kurt Skinner
Chautauqua Tent
at the Von Hoffman House
9:10 AM – Welcoming Remarks with Joe Wiegand
9:15 AM – Medora’s Founder: Antoine Amedee Marie Vincent Manca de Vallambrosa with Luke Larson
9:25 AM – Dispatches from Theodore Roosevelt’s 1903 Western Tour with Justin Riner
9:45 AM – Theodore Roosevelt & the Panama Canal with Eric Ramsey
10:00 AM – Theodore Roosevelt with William Hansard, Ph.D.
Chateau de Mores
10:30 AM – History Alive: Medora de Vallambrosa, Marquise de Mores (née Hoffman) with Maddie Olsen Hughes
Joe Ferris Lawn
11:00 AM – Rough Rider Recruitment with Kurt Skinner
Chautauqua Tent
at the Von Hoffman House
1:15 PM – Our Adventures as Theodore Roosevelt with Trent Taber & Eugene Goettlicher
Old Town Hall Theater
1:30 PM – Footsteps Into Medora’s Past walking tour led by Kurt Skinner
Chautauqua Tent
at the Von Hoffman House
1:30 PM – Phemie Suter: A Harvey Girl with Aubrey Suter, followed by a conversation on Fred Harvey, Harvey Hotels, Harvey Girls & Theodore Roosevelt with Aubrey Suter & Justin Riner
1:50 PM – Alice Roosevelt with Gabriella Frame
2:20 PM – Margaret Roberts with RubyAnne Stiegelmeier
2:35 PM – Tin Pan Alley Teddy with Anthony Rohr
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
3:30 PM – History Alive: Medora de Vallambrosa, Marquise de Mores (née Hoffman) with Maddie Olsen Hughes
SUNDAY
Joe Ferris Lawn
11:00 AM – Rough Rider Recruitment with Kurt Skinner
Chautauqua Tent
at the Von Hoffman House
12:15 PM – Theodore & Edith Roosevelt with Kevin & Dara Oliver
12:35 PM – Theodore Roosevelt & A Book Lover’s Thoughts on Reading in the Open with Justin Riner
1:00 PM – Mark Twain with Jack Christie
1:15 PM – Theodore Roosevelt with Eric Ramsey
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
1:30 PM – History Alive: Medora de Vallambrosa, Marquise de Mores (née Hoffman) with Maddie Olsen Hughes
3:30 PM – History Alive: Medora de Vallambrosa, Marquise de Mores (née Hoffman) with Maddie Olsen Hughes
Old Town Hall Theater
3:30 PM – T.R. – The Strenuous Life with Kurt Skinner
Special Guests and Reprisors:
Theodore Roosevelts
Kurt Skinner
Peyton Dixon
Justin Riner
William Hansard
John Dobmeier
Kevin Oliver
Eric Ramsey
Michael Romero
Trent Taber
Eugene Goettlicher
Calvin Watts
Aaron Horrocks
Joe Wiegand
Roosevelt Friends and Family
RubyAnn Stiegelmeier – Margaret Roberts
Dara Oliver – Edith Roosevelt
Claire Riner – Alice Roosevelt
Gabriella Frame – Alice Roosevelt
Lucy Seeve – Ethel Roosevelt
Rafe Saarinen – Archie Roosevelt
Aksel Seeve – Quentin Roosevelt
Luke Larson – Marquis de Morès
Maddie Olsen Hughes – Medora de Vallambrosa, Marquise de Mores (née Hoffman)
Special Guests
Author & Historian Rolf Sletten
John Janelli – former President – National Taxidermy Association
Aubrey Suter – National 4-H Western Heritage & Shooting Tournament Top Hand
Anthony Rohr
In Memory:
This year’s Chautauqua is dedicated to the memory of Steve Storebo (December 17, 1946 – June 25, 2026) one of our former performers with whom we had great fun. A native of Sharon and Finley, North Dakota, Steve was an Air Force Veteran and resident of Spokane Valley, Washington. Steve married Pam in 1973.
From Steve’s memorial: “Every summer, Steve, Pam, and family traveled home to North Dakota to visit family and friends. They volunteered for many years in Medora, where they made many new friendships throughout the years. Steve attended the Medora Musical every night – and every night he teared up during the song ‘Come Home to North Dakota.’ He also portrayed Theodore Roosevelt, a role he played with fun, enthusiasm, and charm.”
He surely did.
LITTLE PICTURES. BIG MOMENTS.
@Medora_ND
