Pride and Prejudice 1st Edition
The Original Jane Austen Entry Point
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice

Event:   JASNACWNY October 2026 Meeting

Title:     Objects of Affection: Sharing Our Jane Austen Stories

When:   October 17, 2026 1:00 pm

Where: In person, Barnes and Noble Pittsford, Community Room

Kathryn Sutherland’s 2025 biography of Jane Austen explores Austen’s life through objects she encountered, owned, or inspired, using material things as pathways into her world, her writing, and her enduring influence. 

At our October meeting, we’ll share a little about Sutherland’s book and then invite you to share your Jane Austen stories: the books, keepsakes, memories, places, or moments that first introduced you to Austen or created an Austen-related memory. Please bring a favorite story, memory, and/or Jane-related object to share with the group!

Personally, I got my my start with Jane Austen from Pride and Prejudice, not through the book shown above, but through the 2005 movie. While I know this is not everyone's favorite, it was a great introduction to Jane Austen. We'll discuss more at the meeting. Hope to see you there!

Interested in Sutherland’s Jane Austen in 41 Objects? 

For an overview and Table of Contents click here. 

To read an excerpt, click here. 

And

An Early Heads Up for Buffalo

Our Buffalo area group will be reading The Other Bennet Sister by  Janice Hadlow for a meeting in November. Date/Location TBA.

A Reticule not Quite a Pocket
credit: the author

The Secret Lives of Pockets

by

Jennifer Staples

Event:   JASNACWNY September 2026 Meeting

When:   September 19, 2026 1:00 pm

Where: In person, Barnes and Noble Pittsford, Community Room

From the speaker:

One of the most innocent pieces of clothing ever made is the lowly pocket or so we are led to believe! Did you know that the lowly pocket, which all modern women yearn to own, was a woman's safe, her storage locker, her place of business, her food cupboard and many other things during a time when women had very few rights. Pockets allowed women to take charge of their lives to the greatest extent possible which is why modern women desire them so!

About the speaker:

Jennifer Staples, a self-made historical tailor and seamstress will discuss all the interesting tidbits and dark secrets of pockets and their history, including and especially during the lifetime of Jane Austen.

Hope to see you there!

 

JASNA CWNY February Meeting - A Book Pairing!

Lady Susan and Leonora with Susan Harris-Gamard Saturday, February 21, 2026, 1:00 pm EST via Zoom Join us for a lively discussion comparing two epistolary novels, Lady Susan (Austen) and Leonora (Maria Edgeworth) led by CWNY Regional Coordinator Susan Harris-Gamard. Haven't read the books but want to before the meeting? Both books can be accessed via PROJECT GUTENBERG: Lady Susan: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/946 Leonora: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35638 To get the Zoom link for the meeting, sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-E6RT4mlQnalk_60oBcd8g#/registration Mark your Calendars for our March and April Meetings! Saturday, March 21, 2026, 1:00 pm EST via Zoom A virtual tour of the recent Morgan Library exhibit “A Lively Mind” with Juliette Wells. Sign up for the Zoom link will be sent in March. To learn more about the exhibit and see a select number of images, visit the Morgan Libraries exhibit page at https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/lively-mind-jane-austen-250 Saturday, April 18, 2026, 1:00 pm, Pittsford Barnes & Noble Community Room Jane Austen and Thrift - an exploration of thrift in Jane Austen's life and works with CWNY member Marie Sprayberry. To explore the topic early, see the book Jane Austen's Guide to Thrift by Kathleen Anderson and Susan Jones and the article "To be above Vulgar Economy: Thrifty Measures in Jane Austen's Letters" by Susan Allen Ford, Persuasions 30 (https://jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number30/ford.pdf) Coming in May - War of 1812 Weekend at Genesee Country Village & Museum Genesee Country Village & Museum, Mumford, NY, War of 1812 weekend is May 16 and 17 and they have invited JASNA-CWNY to be part of the event. Mark your calendars now - more information is coming soon!

January Meeting

Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 1:00 pm on Zoom. Jane Austen's Garden with Molly Williams and Jessica Roux To get the Zoom link for the meeting, sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/25FcZHEDRDifhpt-49JL0g#/registration

Jane Austen Day in Brighton, NY

Town of Brighton, New York-Government Today is 250th anniversary of famed English author Jane Austen's birth. Brighton, NY shares a connection with the author as our town is named after Brighton, England, a town frequently noted in Austen's work. As such, today is proclaimed as Jane Austen Day in the Town of Brighton!

 Afternoon Tea to Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th Birthday

Sunday, December 14, 2025, Asa Ransom House, Clarence, NY, 1pm

Tea at Adelaide's at the Asa Ransom House in celebration of Jane Austen's birthday! There are still spots left, see information below!

Want to learn more about tea at Adelaide's? Visit https://asaransom.com/adelaides

Cost: $46, tax and service included. Can be paid at the door using a check to Susan Harris-Gamard. Need more information? Please contact Susan directly at mailto:sharrisgamard@gmail.com.

Jane Austen Day at Barnes & Noble

 Help us introduce B&N customers to Jane Austen's Genius

Join Us as We Celebrate

Jane Austen's 250th Birthday!

The event will include information about Jane Austen, her writing, family,

and home, dancing, a cravat-tying demonstration, and more! 

There will also be birthday treats and a raffle of Austen-related items!

This event is free and open to the community, so bring your friends and family!

When: November 15, 2025, 1 – 3 pm

Where: Community Room (Second Floor), Barnes & Noble,

Pittsford Plaza, Pittsford, NY