Treaty of Paris Turns 240; Rare Japanese Painting by Koho Kamamoto to be Exhibited at JHC

TREATY OF PARIS

TURNS 240...

This past weekend was the 240th anniversary of “one of the two most advantageous treaties ever negotiated for the United States.” On September 3, 1783, John Jay, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin signed the document that would end the Revolutionary War. But freedom from British rule didn't result in liberty for all and continued re-examination of our nation's complex and contradictory founding has never been more important.

Understanding our continued evolution as a country, together, is at the core of what JHC does and in 2026 we will be working with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and other entities both locally and nationally to commemorate America's 250th anniversary with "inclusive programs that inspire Americans to renew and strengthen that daring experiment in democracy."

We look forward to offering all of you more programs that illuminate our shared heritage, past and present.

What did other countries think of the Treaty of Paris in its day? Click on the print by James Gillray above to learn more.

INAUGURAL MARGARET NOLAN O'NEILL FELLOWSHIP PRESENTATION

THIS FRIDAY,

SEPTEMBER 8 at 6PM

The Margaret Nolan O’Neill Fellowship at the Jay Heritage Center was established in 2022 to advance scholarship in American History and foster respectful dialogue of topics relevant to the evolution of our nation, the shaping of its democracy and place in the global arena.

This year’s O’Neill Fellow, Fenway Donegan, Class of 2025, has conducted research supervised by Professor Lynne Breslin, the architect and historian, on the impact of land transfers and confiscation laws in the Revolutionary period. Hear about his original scholarship at this FREE public talk this Friday. Reception to follow.

READ MORE ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP HERE

RSVP for the presentation here

Save the Date

September 29- October 1

JHC TO EXHIBIT RARE INTERNMENT CAMP PAINTING BY

KOHO YAMAMOTO

The Jay Heritage Center is honored to share news that it will be displaying a rare internment camp painting by master sumi-e painter and great post-war abstractionist Koho Yamamoto at the 1838 Jay Mansion this September. The display will be added to a weekend-long collaboration called Friendship Through Japanese Arts and Culture made possible through a dynamic partnership with the Japan Society of Greater Fairfield County (JSFC) and the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah.

The weekend will kick off with the dedication of a Higan cherry tree allée that is to be planted as part of the Jay Estate Gardens and also include a spectacular flower show hosted by International Ikebana New York. The painting exhibit and flower show will be open to the public as part of New York State Park’s Hudson River Valley Ramble weekend and the Jay Heritage Center’s annual family fall festival, Jay Day.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 at 3PM

MEET ROSARIAN

STEPHEN SCANNIELLO

Meet Stephen Scanniello, rosarian and international authority on roses. The celebrated horticulturist, garden designer and author serves as curator for both the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden and the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden at the Elizabeth Park Conservancy in West Hartford, Connecticut. He is also a Board member the Remember Me Rose Garden in Stoystown, Pennsylvania, dedicated to the heroes of United Flight 93 on 9/11.

Read more here...

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS AND TABLES TODAY!

Enjoy Delmonico's Inspired Cocktails by the Reflecting Pool in the Jay Estate Gardens

Followed by a Grand Seated Dinner, The Delmonico Way

in the Pink “Palm Tent”

Dance the Night Away to Live Music from Elektra

Decades of Glamour Attire Requested – From White Tie to Jacket and no Tie, Glamorous Gowns, Flapper Dresses, Cigarette Pants or Swing Skirts – all celebrating nearly 200 years of Delmonico's history.

All proceeds from this one fundraiser benefit our park. Help us fill the Jay Estate with expanded public programs and seed more improvements in our buildings and grounds for community use!

HISTORIAN ALLISON STAGG

FRIDAY,

SEPTEMBER 15th at 6PM

Join us on Friday, September 15 for a free talk, reception and book signing with scholar Allison Stagg. Her first book Prints of a New Kind: Political Caricature in the United States details the political strategies and scandals that inspired the first generation of American caricaturists to share news and opinions with their audiences in shockingly radical ways.

Stagg examines printed caricatures that mocked the current events reported in newspapers about the United States’ fledgling government. Among those she profiles is James Akin whose scalding caricature criticizing the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings influenced later artists.