HISTORIC JAY MANSION RECEIVES $3 MILLION GIFT FOR RESTORATION - Written Fall 2005

Saved from Destruction in the 1990s

Rye, New York—The Jay Heritage Center has announced the receipt of a $3 million gift from the Aresty family to complete the restoration of the Peter Augustus Jay House, a magnificent Greek Revival mansion built in 1838 by the elder son of founding father John Jay. This moment is all the more significant because just 13 years ago this beautiful property, where John Jay grew up, was saved from ruin when a group of citizen activists were victorious in their twelve-year, hard-fought battle to save the property from development.

Beyer Blinder Belle, the esteemed restoration architects for Grand Central Terminal, Ellis Island, and many other important American landmarks, will continue to oversee the restoration of the mansion. Work is scheduled to begin this fall.

The generosity of the Aresty gift is only exceeded by the tireless dedication and determination of the leaders of the Jay Coalition, including Kitty Aresty, to preserve this landmark property," says Robert Burton, president of the Jay Heritage Center board of trustees.

Six women spent innumerable hours to build a coalition of 62 environmental and preservation organizations as well as an overwhelming groundswell of public support. There were countless public meetings and court hearings that tested just about every form of land-use control in New York State. At one federal hearing, the district judge recused himself because of his own passionate efforts to honor John Jay, the first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite many setbacks along the way, the group eventually gained the support of key government officials, who helped arrange for the 23-acre property to be purchased from the developer by Westchester County, with assistance from New York State. The historic buildings were simultaneously deeded to the non- profit Jay Heritage Center in 1992.

The Jay Center was formed with a mission to restore the buildings, which are part of a National Historic Landmark district, and to become a world-class educational resource for American history, architecture, landscape, and the legacy of John Jay. An ongoing series of lectures concerning American history are among the activities sponsored by the Center. On September 25, James Grant, author of the acclaimed new biography, John Adams: Party of One kicked off this year’s program. A highlight of last year’s series was Ron Chernow’s address on Alexander Hamilton.

Currently the Center also provides innovative programs for over 2,000 school children annually, and in the summer, children can attend an architecture camp. A professional archeological dig, overseen by Professor Bruce Byland, is ongoing, and the foundation of an 18th-century barn from John Jay’s period has been identified on the property.

Few men had more influence on establishing the United States than John Jay. He served in an array of high offices including President of the Continental Congress and Secretary for Foreign Affairs. As a negotiator of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolution, Jay insisted that the British negotiate with the United States of America, rather than with thirteen colonies.

Jay is best known as the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and as one of the three authors of The Federalist papers, along with Hamilton and Madison. Jay’s persuasiveness was a significant factor in securing ratification of the Constitution.

John Jay grew up on the Jay Heritage Center property. Although it was inherited by his older brother, the Rye farm remained a place of refuge for Jay throughout his public career. Jay’s son replaced his father’s boyhood home with the 1838 mansion, which is considered a masterpiece of the Greek Revival style.