SEPTEMBER 2021 Photo from the Weir at Old Croton Aqueduct by Chris Payne Calendar of Events New York’s Hudson Valley Taconic Region Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester Counties Scan QR Code to view events online WESTCHESTER COUNTY FAMILY NATURE HERITAGE JOHN JAY HOMESTEAD STATE HISTORIC SITE // 914.232.5651 ALL MONTH Virtual Thematic Tours: John Jay & Alexander Hamilton John Jay and Alexander Hamilton were the two most influential New Yorkers in the early republic. To celebrate the anniversary of the first of the Federalist articles, now known collectively as The Federalist Papers, being published on September 27, 1787, check out our thematic tour that explores the relationship between these two men and how their ideas helped shape the country. Self-Guided Historic Landscape Tours John Jay began to inherit his land near Bedford, New York in 1785, three years after his father died. He began developing the land as an income-producing farm in 1787, strictly as an investment at first. He developed it further in the late 1790s, to become his home in retirement. His descendants lived into the 1950s, and as you walk around the property, you will see many features developed by the different generations of the Jay family. Self-guided historic landscape tour booklets are available for download from our website and at the Carriage Barn Education & Visitor Center. The grounds of John Jay Homestead are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Free admission. John Jay continued… 2. Spymaster Activity Box Though widely celebrated for his political and diplomatic achievements, John Jay played an important role in creating a spy network to help defend the colonies during the Revolutionary War. Designed to entertain kids for hours, each Spymaster Activity Box contains an age-appropriate book about Revolutionary spies; spy- themed books; a book full of different types of codes to create and decode; materials and directions for over a dozen spy themed crafts and activities; secret spy gear; additional games and activities you can try at home; and access to supplementary downloadable content. Reading material and activities are designed for children entering grades 2 through 6. The price per box is $100, with a 10% discount to members. Advanced registration and payment required. We have two boxes available with differentiated materials by grade level (Grades 2 & 3 OR Grades 4-6). Please purchase the correct box for your child's age. $100 / $90 members. We will email you within 1 week of your purchase with your options for a pick-up date and time. We do also offer shipping (+$25) within the contiguous 48 United States. We will email after your purchase to get the shipping address information. American Revolution Activity Box Almost 250 years ago, the colonists decided they'd had enough of British rule and wanted to become their own country. They declared their independence, fought a war, and worked together to form a new nation. Founding Father John Jay worked in several different positions during the Revolution. Along with men like, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin, Jay helped American become its own country. Now it’s your turn to discover what the Revolutionary War was all about. This Activity Box contains materials for hours of excitement as you delve into the world of the American Revolution. Inside your box you’ll find supplies and directions for several crafts and activities. These include: • Make your own quill pen • Write with invisible ink • Make a cup and ball game • Lantern making • And much more! Your Revolutionary War box also contains two great books; one is about the ins and outs of the Revolution and the other tells us about the British side of the war. We also have included some cool gadgets to help you along the way. $100 / $90 members. We will email you within 1 week of your purchase with your options for a pick-up date and time. Unfortunately, due to the contents of this box, we cannot offer shipping. Around the World with John Jay Activity Box Founding Father John Jay spent many years traveling throughout the United States and overseas. Your box contains activities for hours of fun while learning about John Jay’s travels, and items you’ll need for your own traveling adventures. Each of the activities in the box is designed to give you a greater understanding of the nations that Jay visited. Have a Georgian masquerade ball like they did in England. Make music with your homemade castanets and pretend you are in Spain. Design your own beautiful tropical fish like you would see in Martinique. And make a hot air balloon like Sarah Jay saw flying in the sky above Paris. Your Activity Box also contains instructions for additional activities and games you can try at home. We’ve also added items you’ll want for your next expedition including an atlas, backpack, and travel journal. $100 / $90 members. We will email you within 1 week of your purchase with your options for a pick-up date and time. We do also offer John Jay continued… 3. shipping (+$25) within the contiguous 48 United States. We will email after your purchase to get the shipping address information. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays through October Red Barn Discovery Center - Reservations 10-11:30am and 2-3:30pm Each 90-minute session is a private experience for your family group of up to 15 people. Advanced reservations are required. Due to social distancing requirements, we are strictly capped at 15 people per group, including children and infants. If COVID-19 related regulations change, and we are forced to cancel or change this event, you will be notified by email. Private Red Barn Discovery Center experiences are scheduled on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, May through October. Free admission. Wednesday, September 1 & Wednesday, September 15 History Tidbits Join us out on the grounds of the historic site for tidbits about our history. On the first and third week of each month, May through October, we’ll explore a different area of the Homestead. Saturdays through October Farm Market & Play Days @ Jay (Farm Market) 9am-2pm Purchase locally produced healthy food and support local, sustainable agriculture. This weekly market also offers musical entertainment, featured community organizations, demonstrations, and workshops. During our Farm Market, stop by the Play Days @ Jay booth for a fun activity or craft. Free admission. Sunday, September 5, BRLA Fall Hunter Pace 9am-2pm Contact BRLA for information and registration. Friday, September 10 Homestead Seek & Find Game 12pm-2pm Visit our Carriage Barn to pick up a copy of this month’s Seek & Find game. Bring your completed game sheet back to the Carriage Barn to claim a prize! Free admission. Come back for a new game on the second Friday of every month, May through October. Friday, September 17 Meat the Pigs – Barn Dance Preview Party 5-7pm A private preview party to the Barn Dance, by invitation only. John Jay continued… 4. Saturday, September 18, 5-10pm Tickets on Sale Now ANNUAL BARN DANCE John Jay Homestead State Historic Site Join us for the Annual Barn Dance! Featuring pig races, a pizza truck, music by local bands, and a campfire, this festive fundraiser for Friends of John Jay Homestead supports our education programs and all that we do. Tickets now on sale at http://johnjayhomestead.org/events-calendar/barn-dance-tickets/ Friday, September 24 Family Sensory Walk 1pm This approximately 25-minute educator-led walk for families with young children will encourage exploration and mindfulness as we use our senses to discover many of the hidden natural wonders on the Homestead’s property. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and all adults must be accompanied by a child; please leave your pets at home. These experiences are free, but reservations are required. Rain or Shine. 5. NATURE HERITAGE OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT // 914.693.5259 The Keeper’s House is back! Located at 15 Walnut Street, Dobbs Ferry between the Aqueduct Trail and Broadway, it will be open every Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 pm. Its award-winning permanent interactive exhibit about the history of the Croton System and the NYC water supply is joined by the temporary exhibit by Tom Tarnowsky, also still available as a virtual tour (described below). Docents are available to answer questions, provide information about walks & tours and sell NYC and Westchester Aqueduct maps/guides, shirts and caps. (From Metro-North Dobbs Ferry Train Station, a 5-10- minute uphill walk.) As always, the Aqueduct trail is available for your use and enjoyment, consistent with whatever the current advisories are at the time. OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT OPEN-AIR WALKS AND TOURS. We are still out on the Trail enjoying nature, history and the company of others. To be nimble and adjust to the ever-changing Covid-19 landscape, we now are scheduling with far less lead time than ever before. Up-to-the-minute announcements of our walks and tours may be found on the website of the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct (aqueduct.org). Our safely controlled walks are offered on a first-come, first-served, pre-registered basis. Small groups, masks, and proper social distancing are required. GO THE EXTRA MILE! TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A CERTIFICATE AND BADGE FOR WALKING OR RUNNING EITHER THE 26 MILE PORTION OR ALL OF THE 41 MILES OF THE OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT. HAND AQUEDUCT TRAIL MAPS MAY BE PURCHASED VIA OUR WEBSITE STORE at aqueduct.org. The Friends will recognize walkers/runners who complete the Westchester portion or the entire Old Croton Aqueduct with a 26- or 41-mile certificate and patch (free to members).