The Brick Cottage

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.