Jefferson’s Curiosities: Jefferson & Religion (Nathan Taylor)
Jefferson, the Dissenters & the Quest for Religious Liberty
Religious freedom remains a cherished, defining and contested tenet of the American experiment. As dissenters who challenged Virginia’s religious establishment, Baptists incurred fines, imprisonment, and violent harassment. Together with other dissenters, Jefferson and the Baptists became unexpected allies in the struggle for full religious freedom for those of all faiths and none. Join us as we explore how these devout communities found common cause with the famously skeptical Jefferson during the Founding Era.
Dr. Nathan Taylor is an archivist and Baptist history educator who serves as Executive Director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies at the University of Richmond.
About the Series: Thomas Jefferson was a man of many varied interests. Join us at Jefferson’s “best dwelling house in the state” as we delve into topics he found particularly fascinating from travel to culinary, leadership to religion. Each talk in the series includes a wine and cheese reception following the presentation.
Tickets are $25/each or $100 for all five Curiosities Series talks
Other 2026 Jefferson’s Curiosities Series Events:
- Jefferson’s Travels through the Germanies (Travis McDonald): February 19, 2026 6:30 p.m.
- What Made Jefferson a Great Leader?: March 26, 2026 6:30 p.m.
- Jefferson and Trist’s Wild Mississippi Scheme (Karen Chase): May 7, 2026 6:30 p.m.
- Hearth Cooking (Rachel Deddens): June 11, 2026 6:30 p.m.