Jay Heritage Center of Rye, NY

The mission of the Jay Heritage Center (JHC) is to restore and preserve the boyhood home of John Jay in Rye, including the 1838 Peter Augustus Jay House, 1907 Van Norden Carriage House and grounds on the Jay Property. Through programs about American History, Arts, Architecture, Social Justice, Landscape Conservation and Environmental Stewardship, the JHC will serve to use the site as an educational center and promote an understanding of the legacy of John Jay and the continuing task of defining America.

The JHC was founded in 1992 through a tremendous grass roots effort by more than 62 local and national groups to rescue the property and buildings from commercial development. This herculean effort, spearheaded by 5 founding women, succeeded in preserving this American gem, which has received National Historic Landmark status. Our goal as educators, chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, is to share with the public this resonant history. Our aim is to explain the restoration and preservation process of our buildings and share the stories of the civic minded people who have lived on the property. We are an official site of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and an official site of the Westchester County African American Heritage Trail. Restoration of the 1838 PAJ House is an official project of the Save America's Treasures Program, a Federal initiative to preserve and protect American historic buildings, arts, and published works.