Residents Rally to Save the John Jay Homestead

A crowd of about 50 supporters of the John Jay Homestead stood together on its front lawn today to advocate for keeping the historic site open.

The rally was organized by Assemblyman Robert Castelli in response to the Feb. 19 announcement from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation that it would close 41 parks and 14 historic sites, and reduce services at 23 additional sites due to the $29 million in cuts to the parks department called for in Gov. David Paterson's budget.

(See our related story here.)

Castelli welcomed the crowd and presented some of John Jay's notable achievements to illustrate the historical importance of the Homestead. John Jay,  the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was also a Secretary of Foreign Affairs, principal negotiator of the Treaty of Paris, and second Governor of New York State.

"Closing this site would be akin to closing George Washington's home in Mount Vernon," he said. "And it's not just historical—much recreation and socialization takes place here. Add your voice to mine to keep it open," he said.

While he spoke, an aide distributed a sample letter for attendees to use in lobbying their state legislators. It provided economic reasons for restoring funding to parks including the $1.9 billion in economic activity generated by state parks and historic sites annually.

While the Homestead is not one of the 41 parks slated to close, the budget calls for shifting $5 million from the Environmental Protection Fund to keep it open.  Because of the unprecedented use of those funds, the vote to approve the transfer isn't guaranteed.

Castelli urged people to pick up the phone, write letters, and drive up to Albany on Tuesdays, which are lobby days in the state legislature. 

"It's much harder to say no to someone in person. But we need to tell them, we don't need another tax levy, we need to shift funds that are already there," he said.

Next to take the podium was Wendy Ross, Executive Director of the Friends of John Jay, the nonprofit partner in the public/private partnership that maintains the historic site and provides educational and social programming.  

Ross reported on the cuts in state aid going deeper each year, requiring the Friends to provide $100,000 last year to cover routine maintenance costs for the Homestead.

"We need New York State to design a budget that will look long term," she said. Next year, the Friends of John Jay plans to open an Education and Vistors Center at the site which, she said, would "transform this site." 

Joe Ryan, costumed in a 1777 5^th New York Regiment uniform, led the crowd in a unifying cry of "Hazzah! Hazzah! Hazzah!" to symbolize the joining of voices in support of the Homestead. Ryan, a board member of the state Board of Historic Preservation, said John Jay was important to him as a military re-enactment site.

A mix of community members had gathered:  a group of volunteer gardeners who tended the herb beds; tour guides passionate about history, and members of the Bedford Riding Lanes Association, who host 500 horses and riders at the Homestead each year for their Hunter Pace.

Bedford Hills resident Tania Edwards said after moving here from New York City five years ago, the Homestead quickly became a destination for her and her  and two young children. The Barn Dance was the first community event her family attended and it solidified her reasons for moving here.

"This is a special place in a unique community. It's living history," she said. "We have to preserve it for our children, and for their children."