Katonah in Westchester County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Sundial and Fountain Gardens
John Jay Homestead
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 10, 2009
1. The Sundial and Fountain Gardens Marker
The gardens at the Homestead pay homage to John Jay’s love of nature and to the pleasure that the Jay family found on the grounds surrounding their home.
This garden combines designs found in family gardens from the early 19th through the 2oth centuries.
The Bedford Garden Club and staff from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation began developing this garden in 1969. The garden, completed in 1983, is a community project, maintained by the Bedford Garden Club.
“Cousin Ann says she is much better lately which she attributes to the garden – you know her fondness for it – how carefully she watches and nurses every expanding bed and how much she appears herself to benefit as they increase in fragrance and beauty.”
(in this excerpt from a letter written on April 6, 1808, by Susan Livingston Ridley, we learn that Susan’s cousin Ann Jay shared her father John’s enthusiasm for horticulture.)
Erected by Friends of the Jay Homestead. (Marker Number 14.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1800.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 41° 15.06′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. John Jay Homestead (within shouting distance of this marker); Bedford House (within shouting distance of this marker); The John Jay Potting Sheds (within shouting distance of this marker); The Homestead Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); The Brick Lot (within shouting distance of this marker); The Glasshouse Complex and Herb Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beech Allee (Avenue) and Stone Fences (within shouting distance of this marker); The Farm Manager’s Cottage (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Katonah.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 14, 2009
2. The Sundial and Fountain Gardens Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 10, 2009
3. The Sundial Garden
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 10, 2009
4. The Sundial Garden, ca. 1915
[ detail from the marker ]
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 10, 2009
5. Children in the Garden
[ detail from the marker ]
This photograph, ca. 1910, shows the Iselin children playing in the garden. Behind them, the roof and chimney of one of the nearby potting sheds are visible.
This photograph, ca. 1910, shows the Iselin children playing in the garden. Behind them, the roof and chimney of one of the nearby potting sheds are visible.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 10, 2009
6. Grandchildren of Eleanor Jay Iselin
[ detail from the marker ]
In this photograph, ca. 1950, the grandchildren of Eleanor Jay Iselin play in the fountain in the lower garden.
In this photograph, ca. 1950, the grandchildren of Eleanor Jay Iselin play in the fountain in the lower garden.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 10, 2009
7. The Fountain Garden, ca. 1915
[ detail from the marker ]
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 10, 2009
8. The Garden Plan
[ detail from the marker ]
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 10, 2009
9. View of the Homestead from the garden, ca. 1915
[ detail from the marker ]
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 740 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 21, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
