Welcome to the Jefferson Center

We are a community of individuals in Southern Oregon dedicated to Jeffersonian ideals of rational inquiry and disciplined thought.

Members of the Jefferson Center share a thirst for knowledge, seeking intellectual and moral awareness through the exchange of ideas and points of view. Many of our members are humanists, with a secular perspective. If you value freedom of thought with rigorous investigation you are welcome to join us. The Center hosts events supporting growth of its members and fostering improvement in the world.

Those who appreciate active learning and enjoy lively conversation will find good company here. Click for more


Upcoming Events

Click event title links on the left for details

Summer Solstice Social Gathering Sun, 06/15/2025 - 5:00pm Please join us for our traditional Jefferson Center Summer Solstice Social Gathering on June 15 at 5 pm at the home of Tony and Martha Davis. If you did not receive an Email invitation to this event, please contact Tony Davis (tonydavis0@gmail.com) or Joseph Graf (graf@sou.edu) for location and parking information. Expect good company, good food, and good discussions. Please bring: ● a potluck dish to share (main dish, side dish, or dessert) to share. (Helpful to also include serving implements if relevant). ● beverage: wine, beer, or something for yourselves and to share. Or, don't sweat this much, since there will be plenty. ● place setting (plate, flatware, beverage glass, napkin, whatever) if this much is not too difficult for you. Unlike in the Jeff Center space, our hosts have extra dishes in their home! Please RSVP to Tony Davis tonydavis0@gmail.com to let us know what you'll bring, so that we can ensure a varied culinary spread, and how many to plan for. Many thanks to Tony and Martha for opening their home to us.
Stolen Pride: Rise of the Resentful Right Tue, 07/01/2025 - 2:00pm Stolen Pride: Rise of the Resentful Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild (New Press, 2024, 267pp.).

Lecture

Information about the current lecture (if one is scheduled within the next six weeks) is summarized here. For lectures that may be scheduled farther in the future, click here.

Salon

  • Summer Solstice Social Gathering
    06/15/2025 - 5:00pm

    Please join us for our traditional Jefferson Center Summer Solstice Social Gathering on June 15 at 5 pm at the home of Tony and Martha Davis.
    If you did not receive an Email invitation to this event, please contact Tony Davis (tonydavis0@gmail.com) or Joseph Graf (graf@sou.edu) for location and parking information.

    Expect good company, good food, and good discussions. Please bring:
    ● a potluck dish to share (main dish, side dish, or dessert) to share. (Helpful to also include serving implements if relevant).
    ● beverage: wine, beer, or something for yourselves and to share. Or, don't sweat this much, since there will be plenty.
    ● place setting (plate, flatware, beverage glass, napkin, whatever) if this much is not too difficult for you. Unlike in the Jeff Center space, our hosts have extra dishes in their home!

    Please RSVP to Tony Davis tonydavis0@gmail.com to let us know what you'll bring, so that we can ensure a varied culinary spread, and how many to plan for.
    Many thanks to Tony and Martha for opening their home to us.

Book Group

  • Stolen Pride: Rise of the Resentful Right
    07/01/2025 - 2:00pm

    Stolen Pride: Rise of the Resentful Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild (New Press, 2024, 267pp.). Another careful scholarly study from Arlie Hochschild of people in an area that strongly supports Trumpian populism. Read this and you will understand a lot more. The meeting will take place on Zoom. Contact graf@sou.edu for zoom information.

New Scientist

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The Jefferson Center 208 Oak Street, Suite 101 Ashland, OR 97520