Showing Their Stripes for the Jay

Two hundred and fifty guests celebrated another banner year for the Jay Estate October 17 at American Yacht Club.

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Two hundred and fifty guests celebrated another banner year for the Jay Estate October 17 at American Yacht Club. The Zebra Soiree was co-chaired by the phenomenal quartet of Elisabeth Casey, Keelin Pye, Karyl Thigpen, and Meghann Kelly. The graphic design team of Lisa King and Erika Mercurio crafted a modern black, white, and turquoise theme, while dynamic committee members whipped together a satisfying menu, tempting silent auction, and dusk-to-midnight dancing!

During the cocktail hour, while drinking signature Mozitos, everyone got a sneak peek at 3D models and concept plans for the continued restoration of the home of Rye’s most famous native son, John Jay. In keeping with a party theme of “US History from Jay to Zebra,” revelers donned black, white, and striped attire.

In just the last nine months, the Jay Heritage Center (JHC), stewards of the 23 acre landmark Jay Estate, have been awarded two major NY State grants totaling nearly $900,000 — one grant will anchor a plan by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects to revitalize 1.5 acres of historic gardens; another grant sets the stage to rehabilitate a rare vaulted 1917 indoor tennis house for public use. Fundraising for both projects is ongoing and volunteers are welcome to help keep the momentum apace.

NY State Assemblyman Steve Otis was on hand to congratulate the non-profit for their exemplar initiatives in preservation. Together with a recently awarded grant from Con Edison for environmental education, proceeds from the evening will help expand JHC’s calendar of programs in American History, Architecture and Landscape Conservation to interpret the site.

 

— Photos by Cutty McGill