The
Education and Visitor center at John Jay Homestead will include a Main exhibit
gallery with a welcome desk and
gift shop, a map-model of the property, computer kiosks with exhibit content,
and period news magazines featuring articles relevant to John Jay's life. The
1911 addition to the building will feature a video viewing area, and an
activity center with a replica governess's cart, similar to one the Jay
children rode in, and discovery boxes full of interesting things to explore.
Around the corner in the horse stalls, visitors
will see realistic models of horses and experience a sound and light show
emphasizing the importance of horses to the Jay family and Bedford Farm. See the artistic renderings of the exhibit spaces along with a floor
plan below.
Thanks to the generous support of people throughout our
community combined with grants from the federal and state government, Friends
of John Jay Homestead has raised the money needed to rescue and restore the
Carriage Barn structure— Phase I of our effort. To those of you who have
supported this project so far, thank you!
Our current fundraising efforts will provide resources to
create compelling, interactive exhibits and displays in the new Education and
Visitors Center, including videos about the life of John Jay and his
descendants, and about 19th century farming. We hope you will embrace this new
Education and Visitors Center as it comes to life.
Artistic Renderings of Education & Visitor Center
Visitor Center Floor Plan: The historic Carriage Barn has played an important role at the Jay Homestead since 1801. A 1912 addition created the present structure, which is being returned to its ca. 1920s appearance. The building will house the site's new Visitor Center, providing orientation for guests, including groups, individuals, and families. This floor plan of the preliminary exhibit design shows the use of the spaces and notes some of the exhibits that will guide visitors as they explore the property. Highlights of the new experience will include an interactive site model, computer programs, and a theater featuring a new orientation film.
Click on Image for an enlarged PDF version
Exhibit Space: The central orientation area is located in the original part of the 1801 Carriage Barn. This view includes the "Orientation Stations," individual units with built-in touch screens and large format LCD monitors. Each unit allows visitors to select one of five different aspects of John Jay's life, as well as his descendants' lives in Katonah. The central feature of the room is a scale site plan featuring realistic models of the main buildings visitors will encounter at the farm. This model also includes integrated push-buttons and lights that provide a snapshot of historic views of the property from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Click on Image for an enlarged PDF version
Kids Area: The Carriage Barn will include a state-of-the-art theater (left side of image) where visitors may watch an original film production orienting them to the Jays and the farm. This area, housed in the 1911 addition to the original structure, also includes a children's exhibit, seen at the right foreground. "Discovery boxes" hold themed items from period clothing to vintage games. The boxes surround a replica pony cart, based on a photo of the Jay children enjoying a ride. Supervised visitors may ascend the piece and have their pictures taken in period garb. The floor is covered with a soft material so that children may comfortably play in the space.
Click on Image for an enlarged PDF version
Horse Stalls: This view of the Carriage Barn's restored horse stalls includes a glimpse into the exhibit area where visitors will learn more about the Jay family's long history of caring for horses. Each generation of the family will be featured in an audio track that includes first-person accounts and reminiscences describing the Jay's interaction with their horses. As actors portraying the Jays speak, images on the wall light up, showing the animal or scene being described. The stalls themselves will be outfitted with hay, food, and riding gear appropriate to the era. The stall at the right of the image also includes life-size models of a mare and her foal.
Click on Image for an enlarged PDF version
Friends - P.O. Box 148, Katonah, NY 10536 - phone: 914.232.8119 - fax: 914.232.5974 - e-mail: friends@johnjayhomestead.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site - P.O. Box 832 - 400 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 10536 - phone: 914.232.5651 - fax: 914.232.8085 - www.nysparks.com
