John Jay Homestead Historic Site

Today is the birthday of our first U.S. Supreme Court Justice, John Jay. What most law students may not realize is that John Jay was as much a New York farmer as he was a lawyer, member of the Continental Congress, co-author of The Federalist, state and federal judge, diplomat, and Governor of New York.

In Katonah, Westchester County, New York (only about 40 miles by car and one hour by Metro-North train from Grand Central Station) is the John Jay Homestead State Historic Site. A visit to the homestead and farm would make a great law-related country excursion or family trip during semester break or later this year. Jay retired to this farm and lived there until his death in 1829. The farm then remained in the Jay family until the last family resident died in 1953. The Homestead web site provides historical and family accounts, with a virtual tour of the farmhouse Jay designed himself and many other sites on the extensive grounds, which include other historic buildings, formal gardens and woodland walks.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat