John Jay Homestead State Historic Site is both a local gem and national
treasure. It is one of only a handful of historic farms in the country
once owned by a Founding Father, and open to the public. It is where
John Jay, after a lifetime of public service, chose to retire in 1801
and live out his life in the company of his children and
grandchildren. Jay’s many public roles included principal negotiator
of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War, Secretary
for Foreign Affairs of the United States, first Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court and second Governor of New York State.
Jay’s descendants continued to live in the house until the 1950s when
the house and a portion of the original acreage were purchased by
Westchester County thanks to the help of local citizens. It was later
transferred to New York State and declared a State Historic Site in
1958. Since then, the historic house’s interiors have been restored in
the style of John Jay’s lifetime. A visit to John Jay Homestead today
is an opportunity to increase one’s knowledge and enthusiasm for
history, to contemplate the principles upon which America was founded,
and to learn about farm life in the 19th century. In addition, the
Homestead’s 62-acre grounds include historic outbuildings, four formal
gardens, open fields, a pond and wooded trails – supporting a wide
range of outdoor activity.
