John Jay wrote to his son Peter in January of 1799, outlining the
design, and even some of the construction details, of a house for
his farm manager, Samuel Lyons. In late August of the following
year, Jay reported that the house would be completed “in about a
Fortnight.” The house served as a farm manager’s residence for most
of the next 140 years. Through the joint efforts of the Friends of John
Jay Homestead and New York State, the exterior of the Brick Cottage has been restored.
The interior had been altered through the years, but many original
details remain. The building is not open to the public as it awaits
interior restoration.
