We were given a thorough tour of the home. This is where John Jay retired from his contributions to the Founding of America. In his role as one of the Founding Fathers he had twice served as the President of the Continental Congress, negotiated the Treaty of Paris with Benjamin Franklin, was the Minister to Spain and France and head of International Affairs. It is thought that he was also the Founder of today’s CIA. He was our first Chief Justice and then Governor of New York for two terms.

He was also a man before his time since he died many years before the Civil War. He was thoroughly opposed to slavery and was the State’s leading opponent. Jay was a Constitutionalist. He believed that the Federal branch of government could not cause its cessation. As Governor of New York State he took action. He had written three bills in order to free the slaves in New York before it was passed. The law he finally signed freed all of the slaves in New York before his death in 1829.

We have a few more weeks of lectures to become proficient in this era. I look forward to reading Whitman again and revisiting The Hudson River School of Painting that I so loved as a college student.

Take a trip to these sites - they hold many rewarding programs for families and scholars alike. Be certain to visit us at The Katonah Museum of Art. They already have a full slate of schools ready to pay this exhibit a visit!

For more information, visit:
KatonahMuseum.org
NewCastleHistoricSociety.org
JohnJayHomestead.org

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom