Foundations of houses and buildings are made of strong, durable materials designed to bear the weight of the structure. Reinforced concrete (concrete mixed with steel rebar) is the most common method used and is the standard for many modern foundations. It provides strength, durability, and resistance to moisture and shifting soils.

Don't worry – this article is not about construction. Stick with me for a minute.

The Kent Mansion, home to the Center, was built in 1860 and is the oldest brick home in Jamestown, NY. As you can imagine, working in a 165-year-old building comes with its share of adventures. We've weathered leaks in the roof, stubborn, old electrical equipment, plumbing surprises, and more. You could say our building is "well-seasoned.” But one thing is abundantly clear: the foundation of this grand old building is strong.

This December, the Robert H. Jackson Center turns 25 years old. Compared to our building, we're just kids. Yet we share something precious with these historic walls – an extraordinarily strong foundation. Instead of concrete and rebar, our Founders built our foundation from Robert H. Jackson's life work, reinforcing it with a vision of a world where the universal principles of equality, fairness, and justice prevail. This foundation gives us strength, durability, and resistance to shifting soils.

As for resistance to moisture, we rely on our HVAC system. All jokes aside, the Center is thriving, growing, and here to stay – and we're excited to celebrate this milestone with you.

Years ago, the Robert H. Jackson Center started a "Buy a Brick – Build a Legacy" project. It's a beautiful way to honor family members, friends, veterans, and other meaningful people in your life by purchasing a commemorative brick for the Center's walkway. These bricks become part of our foundation – a lasting tribute that enables us to keep building. You are helping to pave the way for all of us to walk in Justice Jackson’s footsteps.

To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we're offering special pricing on all bricks purchased during our anniversary year. From now through December 13, 2026, you can become part of the Jackson Center’s legacy and support at this special price. For more information, contact me at dniles@roberthjackson.org, visit roberthjackson.org/bricks, or call us at 716-483-6646.

Brick "plantings" take place twice a year – in October and May. We gather as a community to honor those remembered and welcome new bricks into our foundation. Here are photos from our latest ceremony, where stories and legacies literally became part of our path forward.