Nelson Byrd Woltz’s Design for Jay Estate Gardens Wins McKim, Mead & White Award
October 5, 2023
We are ecstatic to announce that The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) has named the winners of its 2023 McKim, Mead & White Awards for Excellence in Classical and New Traditional Design and that Nelson Byrd Woltz was a winner in the category of Landscape Architecture for their revitalization of the Jay Estate Gardens. The awards, named in honor of the landmark firm that had an indelible impact on the architecture of New York and the history of classicism in America, recognize achievement in architecture, interiors, landscape, urbanism, and building craftsmanship & artisanship throughout New York, New Jersey, and Fairfield County, Connecticut. The in-person awards ceremony will take place at the Metropolitan Club in New York City on December 6. Read more here.
Together with the Jay Heritage Center’s programing and community outreach, NBW ‘s design of the Jay Estate Gardens was previously recognized by NY State Parks and Governor Kathy Hochul with an Excellence in Historic Preservation Awardin December 2022. Since opening in June 2022, the gardens have attracted thousands of visitors of every age.
Top photo credit Kim Crichlow – Charlotte Barrows, Thomas Woltz and Mark Streiter next to the reconstructed rose arbor. Additional photos of the design journey are below. Photo credits JHC, Kathleen Durkee, Cutty McGill, Max Touhey and Kim Crichlow.
Fall 2009 view of overgrown gardens. Invasive species hide original landscape features.
View through stone garden arch in 2009
Abandoned swimming pool and debris, 2009
Thomas Woltz and other landscape architects present possible rehabilitation ideas at 2011 TCLF symposium
1917 map showing gardens from a Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) by Heritage Landscapes helped inform the process
Thomas Woltz and TCLF members imagine possible designs for gardens
Zone III Garden Club of America members tour garden project site in 2013
JHC Garden Committee members Arete Warren and Suzanne Clary at project site in 2013
Original segment of rose arbor paired with archival photos 2013
JHC applies for and receives a matching $500K grant from NY State Parks in 2014.
Thomas Woltz, Charlotte Barrows and Mark Streiter 2014
Thomas Woltz presents ideas for gardens in December 2014. An additional $1,000,000 is raised in 2014 and 2015.
Section of arbor recreated for Mary Rutherfurd Jay Garden Architect Exhibit Summer 2015
Thomas Woltz, Mark Streiter and Suzanne Clary at the project site in September 2015
Thomas Woltz, Charlotte Barrows and Mark Streiter in 2015 preliminary design presentation to JHC Board
3D model created in 2015
JHC Garden Committee members Jay Cantor, Susan Skelsey with Mark Streiter and Charlotte Barrows review C & D plans with NY State Parks and Westchester County Parks in 2015
John Baker and Jason Klein from Westchester County Parks review plans with NBW, Jenna Webster, Larry Weaner and JHC Garden Committee Members Liz Garrett and Jim Kelsey in 2016
Thomas Woltz presents garden design room by room in 2016
Mark Streiter and JHC Garden Committee member Jim Kelsey discusses plans for the gardens
Thomas Woltz and Larry Weaner explain how gardens and Jay meadow will complement each other during public tour and preview
Gardens in progress draw inspiration from archival photos 2020
Mark Streiter and JHC Garden Committee member Liz Garrett review installation during pandemic 2020
Arbor completed 2021
Jay Estate Gardens 2022
Thomas Woltz addresses the audience at opening 2022
Jay Estate Gardens Ribbon Cutting with NY State Parks and JHC partners in June 2022
Jay Estate Gardens recognized in December 2022. NY State Assemblyman Steve Otis, Wint Aldrich and Suzanne Clary
Tour groups include African American Men of Westchester 2022
Port Chester Youth Bureau enjoy horticultural lessons and plein air drawing by rehabilitated reflecting pool August 2022
We are ecstatic to announce that The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) has named the winners of its 2023 McKim, Mead & White Awards for Excellence in Classical and New Traditional Design and that Nelson Byrd Woltz was a winner in the category of Landscape Architecture for their revitalization of the Jay Estate Gardens. The awards, named in honor of the landmark firm that had an indelible impact on the architecture of New York and the history of classicism in America, recognize achievement in architecture, interiors, landscape, urbanism, and building craftsmanship & artisanship throughout New York, New Jersey, and Fairfield County, Connecticut. The in-person awards ceremony will take place at the Metropolitan Club in New York City on December 6. Read more here.
