Historic Preservation

Before & After

Before

Fragmented ceiling medallion found behind cabinetry

The original 1838 front door was found and returned in 2008 thanks to the generosity of the Delli Paoli family.

After

Fully restored ceiling medallion installed. An original chandelier belonging to the Jay Family will eventually hang from this setting.

Bruce MacDonald of Ashwood Restoration stands in front of restored front door

The rear piazza is now a venue for events including historic re-enactments like the kickoff of Revolutionary Westchester 250

The restored Drawing Room is filled with ideas and people like these attendees for a program about African American History in Westchester

1838 Jay Mansion

Restoration is ongoing and the amount of work completed is determined by the availability of funding. Some areas of the house will be deliberately left unfinished so as to highlight the different techniques of historic preservationists that have been employed – paint analysis, dendrochronology, molding etc. Research has been informed by archival documents and invaluable photographic records contributed by various Jay, Van Norden, Talcott, Palmer and Devereux family descendants.

Some of the major undertakings have included: complete asbestos abatement for the entire building; stabilization and restoration of the front portico and columns; restoration of all windows and shutters; copper roof replacement; all new electrical and plumbing service; state of the art fire suppression system (wet and dry); new security system; foundation underpinning; installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system; rear veranda pediment restoration; new ADA accessible bathroom; pantry upgrades; entrance hall floor refinishing; period paint finishes and period carpeting in 1838 Drawing Room.

Funds are still needed to configure space on the second floor for a library and reading room, teaching classroom, and non-profit meeting spaces.

JHC is also always on the lookout for missing treasures from the home to resurface – marble mantels, gilded mirrors and chandeliers. The surprise donation of the original 1838 front door brought great joy to JHC – pieces like this one removed from the vacant building in the 1980s are slowly finding their way back. The front door had been cut down at some point and altered but has now been repaired and reinstalled. Joe Berger of the NYT wrote a wonderful piece about the door’s return called “What’s a Historic House You Can’t Enter in Style?”

1907 Van Norden Carriage House

As JHC’s largest single space for programs and exhibits, restoration of the Carriage House was an early priority and continues to be essential. Work to date has included: major structural and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) repairs; replacement of the seamed copper roof; re-installation of the original Seth Thomas tower clock; stripping layers of 1960’s mastic and concrete to reveal the herringbone brick floor; and configuration of temporary office spaces. Most recently exterior wood rot was remediated, clapboards replaced and the entire structure painted its original yellow hues. To increase energy efficiency in this expansive venue, real wood storm windows were added and a new furnace was installed.

Future restoration projects include refinishing three magnificent sets of original carved mahogany pocket doors; uncovering and reactivating the carriage turntable and converting second floor rooms to ateliers for musicians, writers and artists.

Over 400 tons of contaminated construction debris was removed pursuant to JHC and NY DEC’s direction

JHC ensured that dirty fill containing oil cans and metal that had been dumped at the landmark premises was removed

Buried barrels of oil long hidden by invasive vegetation were remediated at JHC’s insistence

Viewshed

The Viewshed from the Jay Mansion is believed to be over 10,000 years old. The vista was originally maintained as an open area by Paleo-Indians who hunted and camped in the green and protected area next to the harbor where plentiful fish and shellfish could be found. They logged and burned the land which kept it open. The “prospect” was later formalized with stone ha-ha walls in 1822 by Peter Augustus Jay. Though maintained for centuries, the viewway was neglected and became eclipsed by invasive vines. The property was used for dumping.

In 2013, the Jay Heritage Center was awarded stewardship of the landscape. We have since re-opened the viewshed, supervised the removal of over 400 tons of debris, seeded the upland portion with native grasses and wildflowers and we are planning restored gardens. There is more to come!

1917 Palmer Indoor Tennis House

The Palmer Tennis House is one of the oldest enclosed courts in the United States. It dates to 1917 or earlier. It is a wood clapboard structure 60 feet wide by 115 feet long with massive 3ft thick and 10ft high stone foundation walls. A magnificent wood and steel truss system supports the roof and was at one time accented by 6 copper skylights over a clay court. It predates the Racquet and Tennis Club in New York (1918) and JP Morgan’s indoor tennis building on Jekyll Island (1929) which shares similar design elements.

In 2016, temporary scaffolding was installed to buttress one cracked truss; corrugated fiberglass panels were installed where historic skylights once existed. The panels allow sunlight to enter for now to facilitate the next phase of work – review by a structural engineer.

Stewardship of Buildings