Visitors to John Jay Homestead Celebrate the Fourth with Spirit

Though a grand celebration in honor of Independence Day was held at the home of founding father John Jay yesterday, he did not actually sign the Declaration of Independence, event attendees were surprised to learn.

And, among the 13 orignial states, there were some who chose not to endorse the document that launched this country 234 years ago. At the time of the signing of the document in Philadelphia, the state of New York was under invasion by the British, explained John Jay Homestead Curator and Program Director Allan Weinreb, to an audience of appromiately 80 visitors.

Because the New York legislature was not in session, it couldn't endorse the Declaration of Independence. John Jay, believing he would be of more help in his home state of New York during the invasion, was not in Philadelphia when the document was signed, said Weinreb.

The guests gathered at John Jay Homestead in Katonah on Sunday learned these and other little known facts while they celebrated the Fourth of July and honored America on the very front lawn of one of its founding fathers, first Chief Justice of the United States and President of the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1779, John Jay.

Visitors were first treated to a performance by The American Colonials fife and drum band, who played a number of patriotic tunes that included such classics as Yankee Doodle.

"I wanted to teach my kid a little bit," said Ronnie Gesser, a Chappaqua resident. "I know this is John Jay's home and I thought it'd be cool for my 6-year-old son to see the house that belonged to one of the men that started this country."

And his son plays the drums, and he thought he'd like the fife and drum band, he added.

After the music, Weinreb took the microphone for a spirited reading of the Declaration of Independence, delivered from the porch of one of the most influential figures of the American Revolution.

At the conclusion of the hour-long program, guests of all ages were invited to come up and sign a copy of the Declaration of Independence, concluding another fun and instructional Fourth of July celebration at John Jay Homestead.  

Kids weren't the only ones doing any learning on Sunday, however, as it was for many members of the audience their first time hearing a reading of the Declaration of the Independence.

"The events were wonderful," said Tuckahoe resident Meryl Mortiz. "I don't think I've ever heard the Declaration of Independence read in its entirety. I love Katonah and this is just a great way to commemorate the holiday in a way barbeques can't."

For Dominick Cuccia, drummer in The American Colonials fife and drum band, John Jay Homestead's festivities symbolize a special time of the year, one part of what has very much become an age-old tradition for him and his band members.

"It's one of the great days of the year for America," Cuccia said. "We've all been doing this since we were kids. I've been doing this since the 70s, and Nick Attanasio, our base drummer, has been playing since the 1930s. We've all been playing 4^th of Julys for years and it's a special time for all of us. The audience here at John Jay is always great and to stand there and hear the Declaration of Independence and play this music is a great feeling."

Following the outdoor program, John Jay Homestead staff opened up the first floor of Jay's historic home for visit at a discounted price, giving visitors an up close and personal look at the living style of Jay. Considering the land on which the house is built was first acquired in 1703 by Jay's maternal grandfather, Jacobus Van Cortlandt, the staff also hoped the tour would offer additional perspective to guests.

"I think that what I most want people to get out of this experience is the realization that the American Revolution was not a story-book tale," said Weinreb. "It was the experience of real people like themselves. If we can help them see these people as human beings, I think we can ultimately raise their appreciation for what they did in history."