John Jay’s life and legacy shaped our modern democracy. John Jay Homestead State Historic Site encompasses his historic Bedford House and Farm where he retired after a long career in public service. Jay’s many public roles included serving as President of the Second Continental Congress, principal negotiator of the Treaty of Paris which ended the Revolutionary War, United States Secretary for Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation, and first Chief Justice of the United States. He also served as the first Chief Justice of New York State, co-author of its constitution, and governor from 1795 to 1801.
Friends of John Jay Homestead, a not-for-profit member organization, was founded in 1977 with a mission to increase public appreciation and awareness of the history of our nation, our region, and John Jay’s many contributions as a Founder of our country, to encourage use of John Jay Homestead State Historic Site for both educational and recreational purposes; and to supplement the work of New York State by providing funding and volunteer assistance for preservation, restoration, and interpretation of the site which dates from 1787.
Stay Up to Date
The best way to know about what’s coming up is by subscribing to our e-newsletter. We send out updates on construction and upcoming events.
Get Involved
While the site is closed, our community has graciously stepped up to ensure that John Jay Homestead remains a mainstay. From our Speakers Series hosted at Bedford Playhouse to our seasonal weekly Farm Market moving to Katonah Village, we are honored to have such strong partnerships with our wonderful community to continue to bring you a robust calendar of events and programming. As we move into the commemorative period of the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding (2026) and the 200th anniversary of the end of slavery in New York state (2027), we look forward to bringing new and engaging programming to our audience. Be sure to keep an eye on our calendar!
Support
During this important time, your support means more now than ever. Consider becoming a member of Friends of John Jay Homestead or donating today.
What’s Going On?
John Jay Homestead is preparing for much needed historic preservation and restoration work on Bedford House, John Jay’s historic home. Visitors may enjoy passive recreation on the grounds (walking, hiking, etc.) daily from sunrise until sunset.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has initiated a significant restoration project for John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, the largest capital investment at any New York Historic Site to date. Friends of John Jay Homestead is supporting this project through contributions to design and curatorial work in addition to philanthropic support.
Learn more about this exciting project here.