Beginning with The Years Bring Enlightenment: The Friendship and Politics of Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 after a 6 p.m. kick-off reception, visiting speakers Steven Edenbo, portraying Thomas Jefferson, and Kim Hanley, as Abigail Adams will bring history to life with two Founding-Era voices in conversation together. 

 

Edenbo and Hanley are world-class performers and educators from the American Historical Theatre. Hanley also takes on the role of Betsy Ross, the famous Pennsylvanian who made the American flag, as they present Thomas Jefferson and the Boisterous Sea of Liberty at noon on Feb. 11, The American Flag Unfurled at 7 p.m. Feb. 11, ‘Remember the Ladies’ at noon on Feb. 12, and ‘All Men are Created Equal’ at 250: Thomas Jefferson’s Perceptual Revolution at 7 p.m. Feb. 12. 

 

Together, Jefferson and Adams will explore their friendship and politics in a spirited debate on women’s rights, Shays’ Rebellion, sedition, immigration, presidential powers, supreme court appointments, and other issues. Apart, will speak to the progress made since 1800 and the story of the American flag. To continue the excitement, the JES will host a slew of other events that reflect on the past.  

 

Other USA 250 events include: 

• Revisiting the 1976 American Bicentennial: ‘It was a Really Big Deal!’ by historian Richard Arthur at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the JES 
• Erie County, Pennsylvania, in the Civil War by George Deutsch, executive director, emeritus, of the Erie County Historical Society/Hagen History Center, at 7 p.m. Feb. 17, in partnership with the Erie Civil War Roundtable 
• Exploring the Past and Present of Gerrymandering: How It’s Done, Why It’s Done, and What’s Happening Now by Dr. Robert Speel, professor of political science at Penn State Behrend, at 7 p.m. March 3 at the JES, in partnership with the Brock Institute 
• The French Expeditions to Lake Erie: An American Legacy by Dr. David Frew, JES Scholar-in-Residence, at 6 p.m. March 9 at the Lincoln Community Center Library, 1255 Manchester Road, Erie 
• Exploring the Legacy of the Historic Eagle Hotel by historian Richard Arthur at 6 p.m. March 10 at the Corry Higher Educational Council, 221 N. Center St., Corry 
• From Founders to Frontiers: 250 Years of Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation, a conversation with Brian Slawin, Ben Franklin Technology Partner Regional Director and Portfolio Manager, in partnership with the Ben Franklin Technology Partners, at 1 p.m. March 13 at the JES 
• Songs That Remember: Oral Traditions and Cultural Resilience in Diasporic Families by Dr. Shreelina Ghosh, director of the writing program at Gannon University, at 7 p.m. March 16 at the JES 
• From Deck to Deadline: B.S. Oshon’s Civil War Naval Experience — How One Man Served in the Union Navy, Reported the War, and Illustrated the Conflict by Brian Graff, retired geographer/cartographer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at 7 p.m. March 17 at the JES 

 

New this year, Deutsch will host A History of Rivalry between US Presidents and the Supreme Court of the United States, a five-event course that examines the long history of rivalry between Presidents and the Court from Dred Scott through Plessey to Presidential Immunity (Trump v United States 7/1/2024). The course begins at 3 p.m. Feb. 25 and runs Wednesdays at the JES through March 25. 

 

In total, the Winter Schedule includes 30+ events with more than 10 hosted at satellite locations, and two additional courses — Great Conversations and Great Decisions — installments of which the JES has hosted in the past. The events will examine current issues, including Multi-Generational Leadership: Guiding Age-Diverse Work Groups in Modern Business with JES Raimy Fellow Bradley Thompson on Feb. 24 and March 11; Abundance vs, Scarcity: The Impact of Inclusive Investments in Erie County by Gary N. Lee, Chief Administrative Officer at Diverse Erie, at noon Feb. 27 at the JES; and Infinite Progress — Updates on How Infinite Erie is Putting Plans into Action by Kim Thomas, executive director of Infinite Erie, at noon March 6, at the JES; and The Black Presence in Erie’s Public Schools by Johnny Johnson, JES Scholar-in-Residence, at 6 p.m. March 19, at Erie Center for Arts & Technology (ECAT), 650 East Ave., Erie.  

 

The JES will explore international relations with Venezuela and the 21st Century International Order by Diane Chido, JES Scholar-in-Residence, and Nicolás Bell, researcher and former JES intern; Ukraine and Russia: Where Are We Now, Where Are We Headed? a Brock Institute lecture with Dr. Lena Surzhko-Harned, political science professor at Penn State Behrend and JES Scholar-in-Residence, at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Lincoln Community Center Library; and Global Demographic Trends and Population Policies by Dr. Baher Ghosheh, JES Scholar-in-Residence and chair of the JES Board of Trustees, at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at ECAT; among other global-focused events. 

 

Taking a step into nature, Protecting Natural Spaces and Building Community: Asbury Woods’ Impact in NWPA as Sarah Bennett, executive director of Asbury Woods, and Patrick Miller, director of development and marketing at Asbury Woods, lead a community conversation about one of the region’s greatest outdoor assets at noon Feb. 20 at the JES; or head over to the Lincoln Community Center Library for The Grizzly Bears of Yellowstone National Park by Dr. Steve Ropski, retired Gannon University professor, at 6 p.m. March 23. 

 

Other partnerships include Sole Talk: A Discussion on Foot Health by Drs. Anthony Colonna and Colette Yori Tobia, and Alan Kidon of LECOM Health at 7 p.m. March 22 at JES; and The MWRI-Erie Story: World-Changing Medicine Happens Here with leading local medical professionals in partnership with Magee-Womens Research Institute and Hamot Health Foundation. 

More than 75% of the programs are free. To find more information about programs, memberships, or to make reservations, call 814.459.8000 or visit JESErie.org. 

 

Speakers and the JES staff are available before and after lectures, discussions, and conversations for interviews. Media coverage is welcome at all events.  

 

For comments in advance, please contact: 

 

Chelsea Oliver   

Director of Marketing and Community Engagement  
Jefferson Educational Society  

814.459.8000  
Oliver@JESerie.org 

 

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The Jefferson Educational Society of Erie is a nonprofit and nonpartisan institution founded to promote civic enlightenment and community progress for the Erie region through study, research, and discussion. The Jefferson 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 research, the publication of policy papers on public issues, essays, reports, and the sponsorship of civic forums.  

 

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 Schedule subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit JESErie.org, or call 814.459.8000.