While the Jefferson monitors COVID-19, we have decided to postpone in-person lectures. Have no fear, though! We will try our best to live-stream as many letures as we can on Facebook at their regularly scheduled times. 

On Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Jefferson live-streamed and recorded Dr. Judy Lynch's "History of Erie County's Responsibility of the Poor."

Erie County was created by the State in 1800. One of the first responsibilities it was given was the care of the poor, a state-imposed responsibility that the County still carries. This lecture traces the evolution of the County's care of the poor, from the creation of the Overseers of the Poor, to Institution Districts, to workhouses, almshouses, and tuberculosis sanitariums. It notes the changing attitudes about the treatment of subsections of the poor. It describes the impact of the Great Depression and the Roosevelt policies, in addition to chronicling the impact of Lyndon Johnson's 1960s programs of Medicaid and Medicare and the scope of the current human service budget.

Click HERE to watch the video!

Click HERE to download the PowerPoint Presentation from the lecture!