Jefferson Educational Society

Jefferson Educational Society Educate and inform the whole mass of people … They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty. - Thomas Jefferson

The Jefferson Educational Society of Erie is a nonprofit institution founded to promote civic enlightenment and community progress for the Erie region through study, research, and discussion. The Society offers courses, seminars, and lectures that explain the central ideas that have formed the past, assist in exploring the present, and offer guidance to enhance the civic future of the Erie region.

As an Erie think tank, The Jefferson Educational Society promotes knowledge and civic pride through institutional and familial research, the publication of policy papers on public issues and the sponsorship of civic forums.

We’re plotting something beautiful at JES! 🌱 The Penn State Master Gardeners of Erie County were on site at the JES, hel...
09/01/2026

We’re plotting something beautiful at JES! 🌱

The Penn State Master Gardeners of Erie County were on site at the JES, helping us map out the next steps for our growing Lincoln Family Gardens, including laying out plans for where native plants will take root and how this community garden space will continue to grow.

There’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes, and we’re excited to watch this vision come to life!🌿

Want to be part of the garden’s growth?

Learn more about Lincoln Family Gardens and how you can get involved at: jeserie.org/lincolnfamilygardens

Football fans, this one is for you.🏈A Pittsburgh Steelers legend is coming to Erie.On September 24, join us as we welcom...
09/01/2026

Football fans, this one is for you.🏈

A Pittsburgh Steelers legend is coming to Erie.

On September 24, join us as we welcome Terry Bradshaw to Global Summit XVIII for an evening of stories, insight, humor, and of course, everything football.

A Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.
Four-time Super Bowl champion.
Two-time Super Bowl MVP.
FOX NFL Sunday analyst.
And now, live in Erie.

Don’t miss your chance to hear one of football’s most recognizable voices talk about the game, his career, and the moments that made him a legend.

🎟️Tickets are on sale now: jeserie.org/global-summit-XVIII/details/steeler-legend-fox-sports-broadcaster-talks-everything-football

Benedict Arnold — hero or traitor?🕵️Join us as career intelligence specialist Michael Ganske takes us inside the hidden ...
09/01/2026

Benedict Arnold — hero or traitor?🕵️

Join us as career intelligence specialist Michael Ganske takes us inside the hidden world of Revolutionary War espionage.

From George Washington's role as America's first spymaster to the secret networks like the Culper Spy Ring, discover the spies, couriers, and double agents who helped shape the fight for independence. Along the way, he'll explore the real tradecraft of the era: codes, ciphers, disguises, and dead drops.

The event is FREE and open to the public — Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 6pm in the Harborcreek Township Building, Harborcreek. This is one you won't want to miss!

Register here: jeserie.org/events/details/the-role-of-intelligence-in-the-revolutionary-war

Happening tonight!🏠Join LECOM Health occupational therapist Stefanie Irwin at 6 p.m. for "Your Home, Your Independence" ...
08/31/2026

Happening tonight!🏠

Join LECOM Health occupational therapist Stefanie Irwin at 6 p.m. for "Your Home, Your Independence" — a conversation on how to age safely and comfortably at home.

Register now: jeserie.org/events/details/your-home-your-independence-how-to-make-it-safer-as-you-age

Aging shouldn't mean sacrificing your independence.🏠So how can people age safely at home?Whether it's for yourself or a ...
08/29/2026

Aging shouldn't mean sacrificing your independence.🏠

So how can people age safely at home?

Whether it's for yourself or a loved one, this is a chance to learn from Stefanie Irwin, an experienced occupational therapist with a decade of practice in home health care. Irwin will discuss how people can navigate aging safely without giving up the comfort of home.❤️

This event is part of the Living Successfully Series with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - LECOM Health. FREE and open to the public — Monday, Aug. 31, at 6pm in the Lincoln Community Center Library, Fairview.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/gXSCdBhc

08/27/2026

Soap is ubiquitous in our daily lives. We bathe with it; clean with it; and wash our clothes with it. During the pandemic it became a first-line defense against disease. Yet most of us rarely think about it. But soap has a history, and it's a messy one. Join Dr. Judith Ridner, professor of history at Mississippi State University and co-editor of "Early American Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal," as she explores the long history of soap from the Ancient World to the present day, addressing how its ingredients, forms, and uses changed over time and what those shifts tell us about the role soap plays in our lives today.

*The event is free, thanks to the Doris Becker Lecture Series in conjunction with the Hagen History Center.

*This event is part of the JES's USA 250 Event Series.

Satellite September is here!🌟Six programs, four locations across Erie County as we hit the road before arriving at the G...
08/27/2026

Satellite September is here!🌟

Six programs, four locations across Erie County as we hit the road before arriving at the Global Summit. New faces this year include the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection and intelligence expert Michael Ganske, alongside returning favorites like Dr. Steve Ropski's grizzly bear talk. Here's the lineup — all events start at 6pm and are FREE thanks to Erie Insurance.

📍Monday, Aug. 31 - Your Home, Your Independence: How to Make It Safer as You Age (Fairview)
📍Wednesday, Sept. 2 - The Role of Intelligence in the Revolutionary War (Harborcreek Township)
📍Thursday, Sept. 10 - DEP Gas Well Adoption and Transfer Workshop (Erie Center for Arts and Technology)
📍Monday, Sept. 14 - Alzheimer's Care Redefined: Supporting Lives, Not Just Symptoms (Fairview)
📍Tuesday, Sept. 15 - The Grizzly Bears of Yellowstone National Park (Corry Higher Education Council)
📍Thursday, Sept. 17 - Innovation in Action: NW PA Founder Conversations (ECAT)

Find more information and reserve your spot TODAY by visiting JESErie.org/events

08/26/2026

Genetic testing is no longer a niche tool. It is helping people understand personal disease risk, make more informed treatment decisions, and take practical steps to reduce risk before disease starts. Join the next MWRI Erie community conversation presented with Jefferson Educational Society, Magee-Womens Research Institute in Erie, and Hamot Health Foundation.

Featuring Dr. Shannon Rush, Assistant Professor in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, and Dr. Phuong Mai, Medical Director of the Cancer Genetics Program at Magee and Director of Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention Program, this session will translate a rapidly evolving field into clear takeaways for everyday decision making.

You will learn how genetic results are used to assess inherited cancer risk, inform screening and prevention planning, and support families navigating shared risks. The program includes time for audience questions, with practical guidance on what to ask, how to interpret results, and how genetic counseling fits in.

JES Community Conversations are sponsored by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.

A night of history, heritage, and memories of Little Italy.🇮🇹Tonight at, “Little Italy: A Dream Remembered,” we celebrat...
08/26/2026

A night of history, heritage, and memories of Little Italy.🇮🇹

Tonight at, “Little Italy: A Dream Remembered,” we celebrated the rich Italian-American history that helped shape Erie, and the people who continue to keep those stories alive.

We are so grateful that the evening began with Mayor Daria Devlin presenting Pat Cappabianca with a City of Erie proclamation honoring his lifelong commitment to the Erie community, and to preserving and sharing the history of Little Italy.

Pat took us on a journey through Italy’s history and diversity, sharing personal stories of growing up in Erie’s Little Italy, memories of beloved Italian businesses, and a glimpse into what life was like for Italian families in the neighborhood. Along the way, he brought the culture to life through Italian phrases, food, traditions, religion, holidays, and plenty of Erie nostalgia.

From the stories of the past to the traditions that continue today, it was a wonderful reminder that history isn't just found in books, it lives in the memories we share, the traditions we carry forward, and the people who make sure those stories aren't forgotten.

Grazie to everyone who joined us for this special evening celebrating Little Italy, Erie, and the enduring legacy of the Italian community.🇮🇹♥️

08/25/2026

Join longtime civic and community leader Patrick Cappabianca as he explores what life was like growing up in Little Italy, Erie Pennsylvania — a 'city within a city' with all the conveniences so that one never had to leave its boundaries. It assisted in the advancement of the Italian immigrant when keeping their customs and traditions while still offering a change to mix and connect with other neighborhoods through the school system and elsewhere. It was a combination 'Old World and New World' that produced leaders in all fields and professions who became a tremendous asset to Erie. Come see a picture of neighborhood the likes of which may never be seen again.

Address

3207 State St
Erie, PA
16508

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(814) 459-8000

Website

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