John Jay Homestead – Katonah, New York
We visited the John Jay Homestead in Katonah, New York, for the first time in 2011. Jay was one of three authors of the Federalist Papers along with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. His property was on location that has been continually managed and cared for over 10,000 years. The long meadow reaching down to the water was once occupied by Native Americans. John Jay continued to keep this expanse open.
The view from the columned porch give a sense of the vast expanse.
Features in the landscape made evident that people have not lived on this property for a long time. The swimming pool now empty is a survivor from an earlier time. Stone walls around the garden also included a handsome stone arch over an opening in the wall.
Progressing down towards the water, the house becomes smaller and smaller in comparison to the land.
Once down by the water we enjoyed walking along the shoreline and enjoying the setting.
From this extent the house was its smallest.
