Jefferson Educational Society

05/30/2026

Our garden is growing and so is the Legacy Walk.🌿

As the Lincoln Family Gardens begin to take shape, more names are being added to the path that will define this space for generations.

Each brick is a story. A family. A belief in what Erie can continue to become.

Spaces are limited!

Reserve your brick now and be part of a place rooted in community, conversation, and growth. jeserie.org/lincolnfamilygardens

05/29/2026

Join us in congratulating our USA 250 Great America Trivia Challenge GRAND PRIZE winner, Kathy Sahlmann!🎉

Thank you to all who participated in the Trivia Challenge, from everyone who took the qualifying tests, to our nine contestants, and our live audience members, you all made this such an engaging experience. And a special thank you to our friends of The Civil War Roundtable, who put in many hours of work to bring this all together.

While we will take a short break for events at JES, be sure to join us at our satellite locations throughout Erie County during the month of June! For a complete list of events, speakers, and locations, head over to our website to get signed up: jeserie.org/events

05/28/2026

Join us for an important and timely conversation on justice, rehabilitation, and the evolving landscape of sentencing for juvenile offenders. In this program, Mr. Johnson—an Erie native with decades of leadership in probation, reentry, and community corrections—will explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding second chances for individuals sentenced to life as juveniles.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across Erie County, Allegheny County, and the U.S. District Court for Western Pennsylvania, Mr. Johnson brings a deeply informed perspective on the intersection of public safety, accountability, and redemption. As former Chief Probation Officer and a national award recipient for leadership, he has pioneered innovative approaches to reentry, including workforce development programs and the integration of formerly incarcerated individuals into support roles.

This discussion will examine the legal, social, and human dimensions of juvenile life sentencing, highlighting pathways for reform and the critical role of second chances in strengthening individuals, families, and communities.

05/28/2026

What does justice look like when we consider growth, change, and redemption?

Join us tonight at Erie Center for Arts & Technology for this thought-provoking and deeply human conversation that explores second chances for juvenile lifers and the broader implications for our justice system.

Register online: jeserie.org/events/details/second-chances-for-juvenile-lifers-in-the-prison-population

05/27/2026

JES - The USA 250 Great America Trivia Challenge: Final

05/27/2026

Ron Davis is our third winner to head to the championship game of the USA 250 Great America Trivia Challenge!🎉

Join us TONIGHT at 7pm at JES (3207 State St, Erie) to see who takes it all home!

05/27/2026

This is it.🏆

After multiple rounds of competition, it all comes down to tonight’s USA 250 Great America Trivia Challenge Championship Game.

The best of the best face off for the title, starting at 7pm TONIGHT. Expect big moments, close calls, and a finish worth being in the room to witness. You’ve followed the journey -- now see how it ends.

Register online to watch the championship live: jeserie.org/events/details/the-usa-250-great-america-trivia-challenge-championship-game

05/26/2026

Do you love trivia? Do you like watching fast-paced, high-stakes question-and-answer games? Have someone you know participating as a contest and want to root them on?

Help JES commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a challenging and fun series of trivia games befitting of the occasion!

The Jefferson Educational Society Team and four Erie, Pennsylvania-based enthusiasts and historians – Mark Becker, George Deutsch, Randy Shapira, and Rick Tome – are hosting nine trivia masters who'll compete in three preliminary three-contestant games. The three winners will advance to the Championship Game to determine the ultimate trivia winner!

Attendees are a part of the "live audience," and can register to attend the "games" – rooting for their players and learning plenty of trivia along the way, as all four games are free and open to the public with advanced registration.

Only those who have registered for, completed, and earned top scores may play in the USA 250 Great America Trivia Challenge.

05/26/2026

Did you catch First @ 4 today on Erie News Now? If not, catch up and learn all about The USA 250 Great America Trivia Challenge!

Jeffersonian George Deutsch was on with Amanda Post to let the community know all about the process leading up to now, tonight's final round, and tomorrow's Championship Game!

Register to join us for the final two games on our website: jeserie.org/events

Click here to view this video from erienewsnow.com.

05/26/2026

Last chance to make the championship. 🔥

Game 3 of The USA 250 Great America Trivia Challenge happens tonight -- and this is the final group fighting for the last spot in the championship game.

By the end of the night, the championship lineup will be set. You do not want to miss this!

Register to be in the room: jeserie.org/events/details/the-usa-250-great-america-trivia-challenge-game-3