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| 3rd Edition FOJJH E-News |
January 2009 | |
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Count de Ravel Will Speak at New-York Historical Society on January 15, 2009
 In case you missed the excellent speaker, Count Pierre de Ravel d'Esclapon, at the Treaty of Paris exhibit opening in December, you can attend a "Conversation and wine-tasting" at the New-York Historical Society next week. Count de Ravel is scheduled as a guest speaker in the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Distinguished Speakers Series on Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. The topic is "Grant, Lee and the French in the Civil War." Such historical questions as "What drove about 10,000 Frenchmen to become Union soldiers?" and "What lessons did France learn from the bloody conflict?" will be addressed. Valerie Paley, editor of The New York Journal of American History will also be participating in the discussion. General admission tickets are $18; seniors, educators and students, $12; N-YHS members, $10. The Society is located at 170 Central Park West (77 Street); for information call (212) 873-7489; website, www.nyhistory.org. If you would like to join other Friends of John Jay Homestead members for a Dutch treat dinner following the event, please contact Friends' Executive Director, Wendy Ross at (914) 232-8119. |
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Exhibit of New York's Ratification of the Constitution
at New-York Historical Society
 While you're at the New-York Historical Society, leave time to see a small, but excellent exhibit on New York's Ratification of the Constitution, which discusses the central role that John Jay played in this process. The exhibit features the Joseph Wright portrait of John Jay, and Jay's hand-written draft of Federalist #64. The exhibit is entitled "Nation at the Crossroads: The Great New York Debate over the Constitution, 1787-88," and will continue until January 25. If you don't have time to catch the actual exhibit, visit the digital version at https://www.nyhistory.org/web/crossroads.
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2009 John Jay Lecture Series:
David S. Reynolds Will Speak at Homestead
 The first segment of the 2009 John Jay Lecture Series, titled "A New Look at Three American Presidents," is just around the corner. David S. Reynolds, CUNY professor and author, will discuss his latest book, Waking Giant: America in the Age of Jackson, at the Homestead on Wednesday, January 28; his talk is entitled "Andrew Jackson: Hero
or Villain." The reception and book signing will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the lecture at 7 p.m.
Take the opportunity now to sign up for the two other lectures in the series. On Wednesday, February 25, Philip Kunhardt will speak about his new book on Abraham Lincoln, titled Looking for Lincoln: The Making of an American Icon. The final lecture will feature Annette Gordon-Reed, author of The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family, for which she won the 2008 National Book Award for Nonfiction. The times and ticket prices are the same for all lectures.
As a member of Friends of John Jay Homestead, tickets are discounted at $15 per lecture;
$20 for non-members; free for students. For
more information, or to make reservations, call our office at (914) 232-8119, email friends@johnjayhomestead.org, or visit
the website at www.johnjayhomestead.org.
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Bedford Environmental Summit
 On Saturday, January 31, Friends of John Jay Homestead will be participating in the First Bedford Environmental Summit, held at Fox Lane High School. Experts in various environmentally-related fields will gather to share their particular expertise with area residents. The objective is to help create a sustainable Bedford, by showing residents how to take the initial steps to make their homes and properties "green, " through workshops, lectures and an Expo. As Summit co-chair Ellen Conrad, of the Bedford Garden Club said, "Our primary goal is more than education, we are focused on action, on meeting the deeply felt need in this community to find lasting solutions about the environment on a local level." Co-chair Mary Beth Kass of the Bedford Energy Advisory Panel continued, "What happens after the conference is as important as the conference itself. Our aim is to create a sustainable Bedford community."
There are several environmental initiatives proposed by
the Friends: one plan is to find a
partner to create a community garden on the property. Plans are already in place to install demonstration
composting areas at the site and to allow some lawn areas to return to fields,
thus reducing the need for mowing throughout the summer and minimizing the
site's carbon footprint.
The Summit keynote speaker is Bob Woodruff of ABC News, who will give an overview of all the environmental issues that will be addressed in at least 27 different workshops. Key decision-makers in the community, including public officials and community leaders, will be attending. This event presents a great opportunity to share information about both local and global issues affecting the environment. Tickets are $25 in advance; $35 at the door; $10 for students. For ticket information, visit www.sustainablebedford.org.
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Founders Dinner - March 7, 2009
The 2nd Annual Founders Dinner honoring Bedford Riding Lanes Association (BRLA) will take place at John Jay Homestead on Saturday, March 7, 2009. The event is black tie, beginning at 6:30 p.m. for cocktails in the period rooms, followed by an elegant seated dinner at 8 p.m. in the Ballroom. The BRLA is honored for making extraordinary contributions to the community by preserving hundreds of miles of trails that enhance the rural and historic character of Bedford.
The Friends and the BRLA have had a long and close partnership over the past 30 years. A joint effort of the BRLA, the Friends of John Jay Homestead and the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is the Perimeter Trail, completed in July 2002, and currently used by riders and hikers. The Annual Spring and Fall BRLA Paces have taken place at the Homestead for many years, and these events attract equestrians from all over the Northeast. The Founders Dinner Committee includes BRLA members Shirley Bianco, Barbara Gatfield, Sascha Greenberg, Alex Hamer, Mary Anne Hawley, Charlotte Kooyman, Barbara Matarazzo-Silverman and Bob and Marian Torre.
For information about the event, or to receive an invitation, call the Friends' office at (914) 232-8119; email friends@johnjayhomestead; or visit the website at www.johnjayhomestead.org.
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Treaty of Paris Exhibit - Continuing through Fall 2009
 The Treaty of Paris exhibit, which opened
on Friday, December 12, with an elegant reception in the Rear Parlor and period rooms, will remain open until Fall 2009. Many Jay Descendants (see photo) attended the event. For those who missed the opening night festivities, there are many future opportunities to view the exhibit, which
was designed to commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the Signing of the Treaty
of Paris. The objects of interest include Benjamin West's portrait of the American Peace Commissioners; a copy of Jay's Red Line Map, which was used to settle the boundaries of the United States; and a coat and embroidered vest believed to be worn by Jay when he was introduced by Benjamin Franklin to the French Foreign Minister.
The exhibit was assembled by Homestead Curator, Allan Weinreb. For an in-depth analysis of world events leading up to the signing of the Treaty, visit the Friends website at www.johnjayhomestead.org and click on the link to Mr. Weinreb's article, "John Jay and the Treaty of Paris: A Tangle of Wars." If you would like to plan a tour of the Homestead, including the exhibit, winter visiting hours are from Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (the last tour begins at 3 p.m.). To make special appointments for group tours, or for other information, call the site office at (914) 232-5651, ext. 102 or 104.
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Enjoy the Great Outdoors
 Even with a little snow on the ground, drop by the John Jay Homestead for some outdoor fun. Don't hesitate to traverse the Perimeter Trail, or the many fields at the Homestead, during the winter months. There is plenty of open space for cross-country skiing, hiking (with or without snowshoes), riding or otherwise enjoying the property. This wonderful outdoor space is always available to the public. Happy trails!
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JOIN THE FRIENDS OF JOHN JAY HOMESTEAD NOW!
ALL MEMBERS RECEIVE:
Free admission to John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, invitations to members-only events including annual Goodhue Lectures and Founders Dinner, discounted admission to Homestead special events and lectures, 15% discount on Gift Shop purchases, subscription to our lively and informative newsletter and listing in the newsletter. Membership is the most important means of supporting this local and national treasure.
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