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THE JAY ESTATE

for restoring the landscape of the Jay Estate, including its viewshed and gardens for the public to enjoy. With $500,000 raised to date, JHC will formally launch this major stewardship project this October and invite individuals and corporations to participate with their tax- deductible donations and volunteer efforts. Most recently at the John Jay Lecture, a free program co-sponsored by JHC, Pace Law School and Con Edison, Hon. Rose Harvey, Commis- sioner of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation of the State of New York toured the grounds of the Jay Estate, newly recognized with “Path Through History” signage on the Hutchinson River Parkway and the Boston Post Road. “Here we are at the boyhood home of the only native founding father and the first Chief Justice of the United States, author of New York’s constitution and two time governor, abolitionist and patri- arch of several generations of similarly public-minded descendants. It is a reminder of how many leaders called New York home and it is a source of state pride that we have preserved this home.” She delivered a powerful presentation about the importance of pre- serving our parks through citizen-led efforts (with or without the pep-

VIEW TO LONG ISLAND SOUND

OVER THE JAY MEADOW

* percorn). “There is a reason New York State has such a remarkable legacy. It is through the work of friends, supporters, and many ordi- nary citizens – people like you, with your interest in history and historic places – who believed in the impor- tance of protecting and pre- serving our heritage. A duty and a responsibility handed down from one generation to the next.” The Jay Heritage Center is located at 210 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY. www.jaycenter.org Suzanne Clary is Presi- dent of the Jay Heritage Center in Rye, NY.

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF REAL PROPERTY AND

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, CAROL CLARK, PROF. NICK ROBINSON,

COMMISSIONER ROSE HARVEY, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION, RUTH PIERPONT AND JHC

PRESIDENT, SUZANNE CLARY IN FRONT OF THE JAY MANSION.

1745 to 1904, five generations of Jays would create gardens and con- tinue to beautify the grounds. In 1822, Jay’s eldest son, Peter Augus- tus, framed the meadow view with long stone walls called “ha-has” that are still remarkably intact. Today what remains of John Jay’s childhood home are two parks, each accessible to the public: the 23 acre Jay Estate and the adjacent 137 acre Marshlands Conservancy. Each is a vital component of a National Historic Landmark District. Since forging a landmark public-private partnership with New York State Parks and Westchester County Parks last summer, the non- profit Jay Heritage Center (JHC) has been diligently raising funds

THE JAY ESTATE AND MEADOW

MID 1970S PHOTO COURTESY OF

JAY HERITAGE CENTER

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