The Jay Estate in Rye was home to one of our nation's greatest peacemakers, John Jay...
...and today, it is YOUR park
News & Upcoming Events
Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1pm
Holiday Concert in the Gardens with Columbia's Metrotones and Princeton's Tigertones
The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Come celebrate the holiday season with a FREE outdoor a cappella performance by Columbia’s Metrotones and Princeton’s Tigertones! The two singing groups will perform in the Jay Gardens. Nibble on treats and stay warm with a mug of hot cocoa from Jimmy’s Soft Serve at our final event of the season.
Spread the joy even further by bringing a non-perishable item for Port Chester families served by the Carver Center. (They are also accepting individual donations of personal items, such as diapers.) Please see the attached Carver Market Holiday Wish List.
Read more here. Reserve your place today! REGISTER HERE
Series Focuses on Inclusion and Social Justice
Apple TV+ Series Dickinson Filmed at Jay Estate
This past winter, an Apple TV+ film crew from Alena Smith’s compelling historical comedy “Dickinson” turned the Jay Meadow into a Civil War battlefield. It was our privilege to host members of the crew and cast especially given the show’s focus on inclusion and social justice. The show, which stars Academy Award nominee Hailee Steinfeld as the poet Emily Dickinson, spent more than two months filming around the Jay Estate. The storyline details the relationship between Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson, an abolitionist who commanded the first Union regiment of Black soldiers. Read more here
PLUS, read more about how the crew transformed the Jay Estate in this article by Mary Andriotis in House Beautiful magazine.
Director Silas Howard and actor Chinaza Uche on the veranda of the Jay Mansion – photo credit Dickinson and Apple TV+
$7000 Raised for Sakura Manbon Project!
Japan Society of Fairfield County Raises Funds for Cherry Trees
On Saturday, November 6, JHC welcomed the Japan Society of Fairfield County (JSFC) for a tour of the newly rehabilitated Jay Gardens and their annual meeting. The group enjoyed the rich display of autumn color and surprised JHC with the announcement that they have already raised $7000 towards installation of a magnificent allée of twenty-two Higan cherry trees that are central to Phase II of the Thomas Woltz landscape design! Historically, there was an orchard of Cherry trees at the landmark site which are referenced in mid-19th century letters and sketches labeled “Cherry Hill.” JSFC President Jackie Alexander explained that their organization hopes to complete fundraising in time for planting and dedicating the trees in Spring 2022.
The collaboration with JHC is part of the JSFC’s newly launched Sakura Manbon Cherry Tree Project. “Sakura Manbon” literally means 10,000 cherry blossom trees and the idea is “to spread goodwill and beauty throughout the Greater Fairfield County area” as well as “to give back and link communities together. Read more here