Supreme Court in My Hometown

Investigate the Supreme Court case West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) and learn more about one of New York’s Supreme Court Associate Justices, Robert H. Jackson. Participate in a free semester-long program in conjunction with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York and the Supreme Court Historical Society. The Hometowns program includes:

  • Expert speakers from your community
  • Panel discussions with judges, attorneys, and other court staff
  • Live court proceedings
  • Group learning activities
  • Create a collaborative capstone project to educate your community about the case and Justice Jackson’s impact.

Program Details

Summer orientation day: August 2026; date to be determined

Program Dates: Select Tuesdays from September 15–December 8

Time: 4–6 p.m.

Locations: This program serves students in both the Buffalo and Rochester areas and will be held at two locations.

  • Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse; Buffalo, NY
  • Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building; Rochester, NY

Applicants should be within a 30-mile radius of either courthouse.

Important: Please submit your academic reference via the online submission form at the bottom of this page by the application deadline: April 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET.

Learn about the Supreme Court in your Hometown

  • Explore local Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson’s seminal First Amendment opinion in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette
  • Collaborate with students from across the Buffalo/Rochester region
  • Network with Federal Judges, area attorneys, historians, and local advocates
  • Educate your community about its local history with a capstone project

Eligibility

To apply for Hometowns Western District of New York, students must:

  • Be a current or rising 10th, 11th, or 12th grader
  • Be able to attend all sessions in-person
  • Obtain 1 (one) academic reference
Learn More and Register at the Supreme Court Historical Society's Website

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Copyright Robert H. Jackson Center 2026 | All rights reserved. Site by Cardwell Beach
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