The Jay Estate in Rye was home to one of our nation's greatest peacemakers, John Jay...

...and today, it is YOUR park

Our nonprofit, the Jay Heritage Center (JHC) is dedicated to transforming the 23-acre Jay Estate into a vibrant educational campus, hosting innovative and inclusive programs about American History, Historic Preservation, Social Justice, and Environmental Stewardship.

More about who we are and what we do

Jay Cemetery Opened to the Public

Memorial Day Observation Draws Over 130

Over 130 people gathered on Memorial Day to pay tribute to Westchester’s most notable Revolutionary era figure, John Jay. Jay is buried in a private cemetery in his home town of Rye that he established in 1805 for himself and his family – including parents, siblings, his beloved wife Sarah and his descendants and their spouses. It is the oldest active cemetery in the nation associated with a pre-eminent figure of our struggle for independence.  It is a tranquil place normally closed to the public out of respect for the privacy of the Jay family. But it has been opened on special occasions for scholars and dignitaries including Associate Justice Harry Blackmun of the Supreme Court of the United States.

The event was co-hosted by the Jay Cemetery Association and the Jay Heritage Center.  Jay Cemetery President Peter Doane gave a talk about the history of the cemetery where patriot, nation-builder, jurist and peacemaker John Jay is interred. It was a very special day to learn about Jay’s legacy and the legacy of his descendants as we commemorate America at 250.Rye’s American Legion Post 128 was represented by Fred De Barros. A reception in the gardens followed.

 

 

 

June 17th, 11:30am - 2pm

Beyond Blue and White with Genevieve Wheeler-Brown

Nothing says spring better than our popular Classic Design Luncheon and Lecture! We’re honored to feature Genevieve Wheeler-Brown, the author of “Beyond Blue and White.”

Wheeler-Brown’s book explores the history of Delftware ceramics, focusing on the often-overlooked roles of women as makers, patrons, and collectors, from 17th-century factory owners like Barbara Rotteveel to Gilded Age collectors like Mrs. J. Pierpont Morgan. A must for devotees of decorative arts and the history of material culture. Location: The award-winning Jay Estate Gardens designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz.  Spring garden attire and hats encouraged! Tickets start at $150. Tables of 10 start at $1500 Read more about Ms. Wheeler-Brown here.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Thursdays 10am - 2pm and Sunday 10am - 5pm

Gardens Open (With Exception of Holidays)

Admission is FREE and there are numerous pop-up horticulture and nature programs planned for adults and families within these award-winning botanical spaces! No reservation necessary. May be closed depending upon extreme weather conditions. Closed on holidays (Mothers Day, Memorial Day, Fathers Day, 4th of July, Labor Day).

Our spaces are also ideal for a FREE school group visit guided by our Horticulture & Education Director Lucia Maestro.

Contact us at jayheritagecenter@gmail.com to reserve a date.

To volunteer and be added to our garden volunteer newsletter, email hortdirector.jhc@gmail.com

 

Become a Member or Donate Today!

Help us empower and educate kids and families! 

Learn more about Joining and Giving to support our 23-acre Park and Learning Center!

Land Acknowledgement

It is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are learning, speaking and gathering on the land of the Wiechquaesgeck (WE-QUEES-GECK), a subdivision of the Munsee people. The Munsee can be identified as speakers of Munsee, a dialect of the Lenape language. Today, the Munsee language is considered critically endangered, only spoken by a handful of elders on the Moraviantown Reserve in Ontario, Canada, each speaker over the age of 70. Lenape, or Leni Lenape was a name prescribed to them by colonists, rather than a label of initial self identification.
The Wiechquaesgeck were the historic owners of Rye, Harrison, and large parts of Westchester County, as they lived between the Hudson and Long Island Sound. Modern nations like the Stockbridge-Munsee, the Delaware Tribe of Indians, and the Delaware Nation trace their ancestry to the Munsee tribes, and continue to keep their history alive. We pay honor and respect to their ancestors past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all. In the coming years, we plan to reintroduce species of fauna and flora indigenous to the Wiechquaesgeck into our gardens as a way to promote greater respect and understanding of their culture.

We Value Your Privacy
JHC Privacy Policy