1838 Peter Augustus Jay House
Encyclopedia
The 1838 Peter Augustus Jay House and surrounding 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) Jay Property form the centerpiece of the National Historic Landmark
Boston Post Road Historic District. This historic district is the surviving remnant of the 400 acres (1.6 km²) Jay estate where New York State's only native born Founding Father
, John Jay
, (December 12, 1745 – May 17, 1829) grew up as a boy. It is also the refuge to which he returned throughout his illustrious career to be with his family, and ultimately where he chose his final resting place. John Jay was the only founding father to serve in every branch of US government including roles as President of the Continental Congress
, U.S. Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Minister to Spain
, first Chief Justice of the United States
Supreme Court
and two term Governor of New York
.
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(US 1
) in Rye
, New York
and has a 3/4 mile view of Milton Harbor and Long Island Sound. It is bounded by a stone wall with mile marker “24” out of 230, designated in 1763 by Benjamin Franklin
, set into its perimeter. Within it lies the 1838 Peter Augustus Jay House built by John Jay's eldest son, Peter Augustus Jay
, on the site of his father's home, "The Locusts".
"It was a place that struck me then as symbolic of what was impressive about certain aspects of the latter part of the 18th century—gracious living and status to be sure, but coupled with a sense of responsibility, particularly to government and to the art of getting along together...I am certain that all of us who are here today join in saluting the Jay family for its significant contributions that meant so much when this Nation that we all love was in its precarious infancy. -- Harry Blackmun
, Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court."
The Jay mansion has been recognized as an outstandingly pure example of Greek Revival architecture
.
"The [1838] Peter Jay House...is undeniably a major architectural landmark. This monumental Greek Revival style house has been generally recognized as one of the most important buildings of its type in the country. Its symmetrical massing, bold scale, and grandly austere detail are an extraordinary symbol of the increasing wealth and power of America during the decade of the 1830s. The house also reflects the importance of the Jay family in a maturing nation. -- Andrew Dolkart
, architectural historian."
It is one of 3 contiguous, pre-civil war structures extant in their original landscapes on Boston Post Road. The veranda of the house also overlooks a 10,000+ year old Paleo-Indian archaeological site and the oldest man-managed meadow on record in New York State. The other 2 antebellum buildings are within walking distance of the PAJ House and each has its own significant architectural pedigree; they are: the Gothic Revival Whitby Castle (1852–54), designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis
, and Lounsberry (1838) which notably has a library designed by Delano & Aldrich. A. J. Davis also built a cottage on the Jay Property in 1849 but it was taken down in the 1950s. Completing the landmark district are:
The site was declared a National Historic Landmark
(NHL) in 1993., Out of more than 80,000 places on the National Register, only about 2,430 are NHLs.
and establishing the first African Free School
; his son Peter Augustus Jay also served as President of the Manumission Society continuing his work—in recognition of this important legacy, his family's home has been designated one of 13 must see sites on the Westchester County African American Heritage Trail and is open to schools and to the public.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
Boston Post Road Historic District. This historic district is the surviving remnant of the 400 acres (1.6 km²) Jay estate where New York State's only native born Founding Father
, John Jay
John Jay
John Jay was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, a Founding Father of the United States, and the first Chief Justice of the United States ....
, (December 12, 1745 – May 17, 1829) grew up as a boy. It is also the refuge to which he returned throughout his illustrious career to be with his family, and ultimately where he chose his final resting place. John Jay was the only founding father to serve in every branch of US government including roles as President of the Continental Congress
President of the Continental Congress
The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress, the convention of delegates that emerged as the first national government of the United States during the American Revolution...
, U.S. Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Minister to Spain
United States Ambassador to Spain
-Ambassadors:*John Jay**Appointed: September 29, 1779**Title: Minister Plenipotentiary**Presented credentials:**Terminated mission: ~May 20, 1782*William Carmichael**Appointed: April 20, 1790**Title: Chargé d'Affaires...
, first Chief Justice of the United States
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
and two term Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
.
Location and Significance
The Jay Property is located on the south side of the Boston Post RoadBoston Post Road
The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York City and Boston, Massachusetts that evolved into the first major highways in the United States.The three major alignments were the Lower Post Road The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York...
(US 1
U.S. Route 1 in New York
U.S. Route 1 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Key West, Florida, to the Canada – United States border at Fort Kent, Maine. In the U.S. state of New York, US 1 extends from the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan to the Connecticut state line at Port Chester...
) in Rye
Rye (city), New York
Rye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is separate from the town of Rye, which is larger than the city. Rye city, formerly the village of Rye, was part of the town until 1942, when it received its charter as a city, the most recent to be issued in New York...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and has a 3/4 mile view of Milton Harbor and Long Island Sound. It is bounded by a stone wall with mile marker “24” out of 230, designated in 1763 by Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, set into its perimeter. Within it lies the 1838 Peter Augustus Jay House built by John Jay's eldest son, Peter Augustus Jay
Peter Augustus Jay
Peter Augustus Jay was the eldest son of New York's only native Founding Father, John Jay. Peter was one of 6 children born to John Jay and Sarah Livingston Jay, and one of 2 boys with 4 sisters: Susan ; Maria , Ann and Sarah Louisa Peter Augustus Jay (January 24, 1776 - February 22, 1843) was...
, on the site of his father's home, "The Locusts".
"It was a place that struck me then as symbolic of what was impressive about certain aspects of the latter part of the 18th century—gracious living and status to be sure, but coupled with a sense of responsibility, particularly to government and to the art of getting along together...I am certain that all of us who are here today join in saluting the Jay family for its significant contributions that meant so much when this Nation that we all love was in its precarious infancy. -- Harry Blackmun
Harry Blackmun
Harold Andrew Blackmun was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1970 until 1994. He is best known as the author of Roe v. Wade.- Early years and professional career :...
, Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court."
The Jay mansion has been recognized as an outstandingly pure example of Greek Revival architecture
Greek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
.
"The [1838] Peter Jay House...is undeniably a major architectural landmark. This monumental Greek Revival style house has been generally recognized as one of the most important buildings of its type in the country. Its symmetrical massing, bold scale, and grandly austere detail are an extraordinary symbol of the increasing wealth and power of America during the decade of the 1830s. The house also reflects the importance of the Jay family in a maturing nation. -- Andrew Dolkart
Andrew Dolkart
Andrew Scott Dolkart is the James Marston Fitch Associate Professor of Historic Preservation at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and Director of the school's Historic Preservation Program...
, architectural historian."
It is one of 3 contiguous, pre-civil war structures extant in their original landscapes on Boston Post Road. The veranda of the house also overlooks a 10,000+ year old Paleo-Indian archaeological site and the oldest man-managed meadow on record in New York State. The other 2 antebellum buildings are within walking distance of the PAJ House and each has its own significant architectural pedigree; they are: the Gothic Revival Whitby Castle (1852–54), designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis
Alexander Jackson Davis
Alexander Jackson Davis, or A. J. Davis , was one of the most successful and influential American architects of his generation, in particular his association with the Gothic Revival style....
, and Lounsberry (1838) which notably has a library designed by Delano & Aldrich. A. J. Davis also built a cottage on the Jay Property in 1849 but it was taken down in the 1950s. Completing the landmark district are:
- Jay Family Cemetery (3 acres-privately owned)
- Marshlands Conservancy (137 acres-owned by Westchester County)
The site was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
(NHL) in 1993., Out of more than 80,000 places on the National Register, only about 2,430 are NHLs.
Historic preservation
The Jay Heritage Center is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1993 and chartered by the New York State Board of Regents to act as stewards of the Jay Property and educate the public about this distinctly American place and our heritage as a nation. The JHC manages the site as an educational center with programs in American History, Architecture, Landscape Conservation and Environmental Stewardship. It also oversees restoration and preservation of two of its historic buildings including:- 1838 Peter Augustus Jay House. The building is an official Save America's TreasuresSave America's TreasuresSave America's Treasures is a United States Federal initiative to preserve and protect American historic buildings, arts, and published works. It is a public-private partnership between the U.S. National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation...
project. This residence seems to have been built by Edwin Bishop based on architectural pattern books by Minard LafeverMinard LafeverMinard Lafever was an influential American architect of churches and houses in the United States in the early nineteenth century.-Life and career:...
, Asher BenjaminAsher BenjaminAsher Benjamin was an American architect and author whose work transitioned between Federal style architecture and the later Greek Revival. His seven handbooks on design deeply influenced the look of cities and towns throughout New England until the Civil War...
and Chester HillsChester HillsChester Hills was author of "The Builder's Guide", an architectural pattern book published in 1846, which, like those of Minard Lafever, influenced architecture in the United States...
., p. 13. Later changes to the house may have been made by architects Barney & Chapman; existing gardens established by the Jay family were later augmented by the landscape firm of Brinley & Holbrook. In November 2008, the PAJ House became the oldest National Historic Landmark structure in New York State to use an energy efficient geothermalGeothermalGeothermal is related to energy and may refer to:* The geothermal gradient and associated heat flows from within the Earth- Renewable technology :...
heating and cooling system. It was also designated a member site of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage AreaNational heritage areaNational heritage area is a region defined by a government as notable for cultural, historic, natural or recreation reasons. Compared to a national park, a national heritage area is not subject to the same level of zoning and regulations on land use. They are typically managed at a local...
(HRVNHA) http://hudsonrivervalley.com in January 2009 based on its architectural and historic significance as well as green management practices and design efforts in sustainabilitySustainabilitySustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
. The HRVNHA is a prestigious designation by the National Parks System (NPS).
- 1907 Van Norden Carriage House. This structure and another called the Zebra Barn on the Jay Property were both designed by architect Frank A. Rooke who also designed Claremont Riding AcademyClaremont Riding AcademyThe Claremont Riding Academy, also known as Claremont Stables, the last riding stable in Manhattan, was located at 175 West 89th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues in New York City. It was designed by Frank A. Rooke and built in 1892. It was listed on the National Register of Historic...
and the Sheffield Farms dairy plant in Manhattan. Commissioned by later residents, Warner and Grace Talcott Van Norden, the Classical Revival, yellow carriage house has its original, 4 faced Seth ThomasSeth ThomasSeth Thomas may refer to:* Seth Thomas * Seth Thomas...
clock and 3 pairs of mahogany pocket doors.
African American Heritage Trail
John Jay is well known for advocating emancipation, serving as President of the New York Manumission SocietyNew York Manumission Society
The New York Manumission Society was an early American organization founded in 1785 to promote the abolition of the slavery of African descendants within the state of New York. The organization was made up entirely of white men, most of whom were wealthy and held influential positions in society...
and establishing the first African Free School
African Free School
The African Free School was an institution founded by the New York Manumission Society on November 2, 1787. It was founded to provide education to children of slaves and freemen.-History:...
; his son Peter Augustus Jay also served as President of the Manumission Society continuing his work—in recognition of this important legacy, his family's home has been designated one of 13 must see sites on the Westchester County African American Heritage Trail and is open to schools and to the public.
Sources
- Jay, John "Memorials of Peter A. Jay" 1905. G.J. Thieme.
- Wells, Laura Jay "The Jay Family of La Rochelle and New York" 1938. Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America.
- Morris, Richard B. Seven Who Shaped Our Destiny: The Founding Fathers as Revolutionaries (New York: Harper & Row, 1973).
- Pfeiffer, John "Preliminary Archaeological Survey of the Boston Post Road Historic District of Rye, NY" April 21, 1982.
- The Modern Builder's Guide,1833.
- The Beauties of Modern Architecture, 1835.
- Johnson, Herbert Alan, "John Jay 1745-1829" 3d Edition, 1995. The University of the State of New York, The State Education Department.
External links
- Official Site-Jay Heritage Center
- Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area
- Jay Family Cemetery
- Official Site-Save America's Treasures
- Westchester County African American Heritage Trail
- Official Site-Westchester County African American Heritage Trail
- "John Jay and the Federalist Papers" by Justice Harry A. Blackmun, Lecture delivered in Rye, 1988
- Library of Congress-Local Legacies-Jay Heritage Center
- The New Netherland Institute
- The Papers of John Jay An image database and indexing tool comprising some 13,000 documents scanned chiefly from photocopies of original documents from the Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York and approximately 90 other institutions
- Congresswoman Nita Lowey -Press Releases, 8/11/08, "Jay Heritage Center to Become Energy Efficient"
- US Heritage Areas designated by the National Parks Service NPS
- Beyer Blinder Belle: PA Jay House Restoration