On Saturday, October 17th, JHC supporters celebrated another banner year for the Jay Estate in Rye. Co-chaired by our own phenomenal quartet of Elisabeth Casey, Keelin Pye, Karyl Thigpen and Meghann Kelly, the Zebra Soiree was again hosted at American Yacht Club. The graphic design team of Lisa King and Erika Mercurio crafted a modern black, white and turquoise theme, while dynamic Preservationist committee members whipped together a satisfying menu, tempting silent auction and dusk to midnight dancing! During the cocktail hour while drinking signature Mozitos, everyone got a sneak peek at 3D models and concept plans for the continued restoration of the home of native New Yorker John Jay. In keeping with a party theme of “US History from Jay to Zebra,” revelers donned black, white and striped attire. In just the last 9 months, the Jay Heritage Center (JHC), stewards of the 23 acre landmark Jay Estate, have been awarded two major NY State grants totaling nearly $900,000 – one grant will anchor a plan by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects to revitalize 1.5 acres of historic gardens; another grant sets the stage to rehabilitate a rare vaulted 1917 indoor tennis house for public use. Fundraising for both projects is ongoing and volunteers are welcome to help keep the momentum apace. NY State Assemblyman Steve Otis was on hand to congratulate the non-profit for their exemplar initiatives in preservation. Together with a generous grant from Con Edison for environmental education, proceeds from the evening will help expand JHC’s 2016 calendar of programs. Talks, tours and workshops about American History, Social Justice, Architecture, Sustainability and more will now take place throughout the site – both in its buildings and outside in the landscape. Photos by Cutty McGill
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