Bedford House Is closed for a historic restoration project.
During twenty-seven years of service to his state and nation, John Jay looked forward to the day when he would retire with his wife and family to “the house on my farm in Westchester County…” By 1801, Jay had acquired, by inheritance and purchase, 750 acres of land in Katonah. During his second term as governor of New York, Jay had renovations made to his 1787 farmhouse in preparation for his retirement from public life. He was finally able to move to the house in 1801. His wife, Sarah Jay, died the following spring, leaving Jay a widower with five children. Jay never remarried. Living in the house until his death in 1829, he quietly enjoyed his life as a gentleman farmer. He was keenly interested in agriculture, horticulture, his family, his church, and the increasingly urgent issue of slavery.
John Jay’s historic Bedford House is closed for a large-scale historic preservation and restoration project. We are addressing capital restoration needs, conservation of objects, and additions to the collection based upon our furnishing plan. In addition, we are in the process of re-focusing the interpretive story and highlighting the collections in a new way to not only help tell the story of John Jay, his life, legacy and accomplishments, but to expand our narrative to include stories of traditionally under represented peoples. When it reopens, Bedford House will feature 23 beautifully restored and furnished period rooms.
Jay’s Bedford House not only contains a compelling collection of American and European antiques and decorative arts, but it is where Jay’s unique accomplishments and the important role he played in the founding of our nation come alive. Restoring his home perfectly embodies our call to action, “help keep the American story alive.”
Click below to learn ore about the period rooms included in this project:
John Jay’s Office & Entrance Hall
Cook’s Room & Man Servant’s Room
Nancy & Maria Jay’s Bed Chamber & Dressing Room
William & Augusta Jay’s Bed Chamber
Night & Day Nurseries and Nursery Hall
