Publications from the Jefferson Educational Society

The Jefferson Educational Society works hard to publish various books, essays, journals, and reports about a wide range of topics.

Latest News in Jes Publications

America's early frontier: Economic History of Northwestern Pennsylvania (1753-2024)

By: Judith M. Lynch, Ph. D.

From the early French forts, commerce on Lake Erie, and the oil boom to today’s new technology and tourism industry, northwestern Pennsylvania’s economy comes alive in a new and unique history by Jefferson Educational Society Scholar-in-Residence Judith Lynch.

This was America’s earliest frontier from colonial times to the American Revolution and the early days of a new nation. But it soon confronted industrialization, immigration, world wars, and evolving transportation, while constantly changing to adapt to new challenges.

Author Lynch guides the reader through this American story by examining the history and development of four counties of northwestern Pennsylvania: Erie, Crawford, Venango, and Warren, and the people, events, topography, companies, competition, and inventions that helped shape them. The book is filled with stories of triumph, transformative change, and sometimes abrupt endings to what once seemed unshakable.

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ACCIDENTAL PARADISE: 13,000-YEAR HISTORY OF PRESQUE ISLE

By: David Frew and Jerry Skrypzak

While "Accidental Paradise" identifies contemporary threats and concerns, it is essentially a story of hope and promise. Beautiful images, poetry, and wonderful stories percolate from the pages, as the prose traces a legacy of history and details the partners who have grown with the park: Waldameer, Erie Water Works, Algeria Farms, Sarah's, the Coast Guard, and more.  

Enjoy the book, then go to Presque Isle.  Wander beaches, roadways, and trails.  Visit TREC and attend programs.  Feel the wonder as you honor the history.

For more information, including how, where, and when to purchase the book, please visit AccidentalParadise.com.