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Dear  John,

Since the dawn of the conservative intellectual renaissance after WWII, debates about the key ideas and traditions that animate a viable American conservatism have been constant. Conservatives love to argue conservatism–mostly with each other. Today is no different. With current debates as a backdrop, 20 participants from The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) came to Mecosta for an educational retreat centered on Russell Kirk’s classic work, The Roots of American Order.

The TFAS seminar mandate was to read that book and related essays by a select group of other conservative authors to consider what ideas or institutional supports, if any, might secure the foundations of a new fusionism–synthesizing the claims of freedom and tradition. The TFAS group consisted of an impressive class of their Public Policy Fellows, most of whom are early career professionals working in Washington, D.C. The conference was held October 20-23, and it was especially exciting for us as it was the first program the Kirk Center held with TFAS, an organization it has long held in high esteem. The discussions were thoughtful and lively. And the spirit was generous. This outstanding group proved hope for a better conservatism is not unwarranted.

TFAS chose the Russell Kirk Center as the ideal location to conduct their fall intellectual retreat, as one of the Fellows commented:

“[Russell Kirk’s] thought is a good guide to our own intellectual life, but even more than that I think Kirk's example matters as a model for how we can live integrated lives in pursuit of the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. Going to Mecosta, seeing the places where he lived and worked, makes me feel like living a life like he lived is eminently possible. It is the Last Homely House, a place of refreshment and tranquility. Just being in Mecosta is incredible. It feels amazing being in a real place cultivated by good people where we can talk openly about big ideas and great books.”

Two Upcoming Events

If you are in New York City on November 14, I invite you to join us for an event marking the one-year anniversary of the passing of the much-beloved editor of The University Bookman, Gerald Russello. The new team of Bookman editors has arranged a night of fellowship as the Russell Kirk Center honors Gerald's memory and unveils its plans to carry forward his legacy in the years to come. You may register for the event here. For those who are farther afield, the event will be livestreamed beginning at 6:45 p.m. EST and can be accessed at this link.

Sam Gregg is joining us to discuss the future of the American economy! Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 6: “The Book Gallery” webinar series will feature Samuel Gregg for a discussion of his just-published, and already fast-selling book, The Next American Economy. We invite you to join Book Gallery host Luke Sheahan and Sam as they explore this timely subject by registering here. 

Thanks, as always, for joining the Kirk Center as it seeks to bring life to a civilizational inheritance that is indispensable to any understanding of the next thing in economics or politics. 

Yours in the tradition of ordered liberty,
Jeffrey O. Nelson, Ph.D.
Executive Director & CEO
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