The Bluebelle
10 N. Terrace - Chautauqua Institution
About The Bluebelle
Two lovely and comfortable 2 BR, 1 BA units, centrally located near the plaza, lake, and amp.
Garden Unit has 2 patios. Street Level Unit has wide front porch and back balcony. Air, W/D, Cable, Wifi.
A third unit (sleeps 6) is usually owner occupied, but it is occasionally available for rent.
During the 9-week Summer Season, Gate and Parking Lot Passes must be purchased from the Chautauqua Institution.
The History of the Bluebelle, at 10 N. Terrace*
In 1875 the Chautauqua Lake Camp Meeting Association leased a tent platform on this spot to George Rouch and Belle Mudge (both of Mayville, NY) “for 99 years” from August 9, 1873.
In 1876 and 1878 the land lease was re-assigned to an Elizabeth Walmer and then an E.D. McCreary (of Council Bluffs, IA), respectively.
The house itself was built circa 1880. Arthur Glenn bought the land lease and cottage on this property for $400 in 1886. In fact, this property and the property next door at 12 N. Terrace (both pictured) were leased and owned by members of the Glenn family. As was customary at the time at the Institution, the land was leased while the cottages on the land were owned. This particular property was leased/owned by Arthur (Meadville, PA), Mary C., and eventually Ella A. Glenn (Cambridge Springs, PA).
We know that Ella Glenn managed both 10 and 12 N. Terrace by 1914, as indicated by her ad in The Chautauquan - A Weekly Newsmagazine in April of that year. She advertised the properties as "Glenn Cottages,” which was easily confused at the time with the nearby Glen Park Cottage. She charged $7-10 per week, and boasted electric light, bath, and “especial attention” given to "the table and its service.” The Glenn family kept this property in their family until 1940.
In 1940, Ella A. Glenn sold this furnished cottage to Stafford Burgis for “about” $1000.00, and the next-door property to him in 1942. Stafford Burgis became the owner and operator of the former Glen Park Cottage Cafeteria and Hotel on Bestor Plaza, now the site of the Glen Park Condominiums. In 1960, his heirs purchased rather than leased the land under the cottage, and both properties stayed with the Burgis family until 1977.
In 1977, 10 N. Terrace was purchased by Nancy M. Arnn (Colorado Springs, Colorado), granddaughter of inventor and Chautauqua Institution Co-founder Lewis Miller and niece of the famous Thomas Edison. In fact a small portion of this property and the property adjacent to it (National Historic Landmark Lewis Miller Cottage, and the wooded gardens) had been owned by her Aunt Mina Edison, Thomas Edison’s wife. The home stayed in the Arnn family until 2015.
In 2015 Sandy and Steve Laserson followed their dreams and purchased this blue gem, declaring it’s new name to be “The Bluebelle.” It’s blue exterior, the name “Belle” of the first lessor, the lovely flower by that name, and its proximity to the Chautauqua Belle Steamship and Bell Tower… all conspired to bring them to that name. Surprisingly, that name won out over one family member’s excellent suggestion of “The Ducky Myrtle.”
*This information was gleaned from a visit to the Chautauqua Institution Oliver Archive Center and is accurate to the best of our knowledge!