The Jay Estate in Rye was the home of one of our nation's greatest Founding Fathers, John Jay...
...and today, it is YOUR park
Author, Historian Kevin Peraino Hired as New Executive Director
The Board of Trustees of the Jay Heritage Center (JHC) is thrilled to welcome noted author and historian Kevin Peraino as Executive Director effective June 17, 2019. Peraino brings the discerning eye and voice of an international journalist to this leadership position, together with a passion for the outdoors and responsible stewardship of our natural resources. JHC is the non-profit steward of the 23-acre Jay Estate, which is one of fewer than 2,600 National Historic Landmark sites in the nation.
Kevin brings incomparable experience as a writer for Newsweek to this new role. He reported from around the country and the world for more than a decade, and his articles on foreign affairs earned him recognition as a finalist for the prestigious Livingston Award. Kevin’s keen analysis of the evolution of presidential diplomacy in the United States led him to write his first book, Lincoln in the World: The Making of a Statesman and the Dawn of American Power (2013). Read more here.
Upcoming Events & News
These Places Matter!
How Can We Best Preserve African American History in Rye and Westchester?
Preservation of African American history takes real scholarship, advocacy and partnerships. More than 90 individuals of every age agree and attended our program “Dwellings of the Enslaved and Freed in the City and Town of Rye” held on Sunday, June 9th at the 1838 Jay Mansion. Thank you to our superb speakers Joseph McGill, Jr., Founder of The Slave Dwelling Project and Dr. Larry Spruill, of Morehouse College for two vibrant, empowering presentations and discussions.
Earlier in the day, both guest speakers took the time to visit the Slave Quarters at the Bush-Lyon Homestead in Port Chester along with the African American Cemetery on North Street. Read more here
Nieuw Amsterdam - October 19th
Soirée Save the Date!
JHC Supporters gathered at the Mansion this past June 9 to kickoff brainstorming for this year’s Nieuw Amsterdam Soirée which will be held Saturday, October 19 at the Jay Mansion. The high energy evening will feature Dinner and Dancing and Live Music from the band Octane!
Co- Chairs for this event are Tracy and Luke Edwards, Inga and Ben Mao, Emily Kindler Tisdale and Bobby Tisdale, Christy and George Schultze, Joan and Will Steere and Marie-Anne and Joris Van Roijen
Designated by National Park Service
Jay Estate Marks 10 Years as HRVNHA site
In 2009, the Jay Estate was Designated an Official Site of the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley Heritage Area (HRVNHA). It’s been a robust decade of programming since the 23 acre park and it’s non profit steward, the Jay Heritage Center (JHC) in Rye, were unanimously selected to join the esteemed company of just over 100 other HRVNHA sites including FDR’s home in Hyde Park, Lyndhurst, Olana, Kykuit and Caramoor, to name a few.
The HRVNHA was established by Congress in 1996 and is one of 40 federally designated Heritage Areas, funded through the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior by annual appropriations. The mission of its governing agencies is “to recognize, preserve, protect and interpret the nationally significant cultural and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley for the benefit of the Nation.” The HRVNHA encompasses 250 communities and member sites that share a commonality in their interpretation of one or more major American heritage themes including Freedom & Dignity, Architecture, Environment and the Revolutionary War.
See what makes us such a memorable destination – join us for Sunday tours of the Jay Mansion on June 2nd, 23rd and 30th between 2 and 5pm. No reservation necessary.
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