Founded in 1882 by the Sunday School Convention of Tennessee, the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly was part of a movement of state assemblies modeled after the Chautauqua Institution in New York, combining religious retreats with opportunities for higher learning when few colleges and institutes were available. It opened its first summer session on July 17, 1883, and its summer courses attracted many students and teachers because most southern schools did not offer summer programs. Thousands of yearly visitors soon encouraged building projects that created many cottages, public meeting halls, and boarding rooms. The World Wars and Great Depression sharply reduced revenue and popularity, forcing the closing of many cottages and the ending of many programs, while other assemblies shut down altogether. Nearly 30 years passed before interest returned, bringing restoration and refurbishing of many cottages along with new programs and guest speakers. This renewed interest peaked in the 1980s with a centennial celebration and addition to the National Register of Historical Places. It remains one of only nine surviving assemblies in the United States and still receives thousands of visitors each year.