The Jay Heritage Center (JHC) has announced the receipt of a transformative gift of $1.5 million to open the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III Exhibit and Performance Center at the Jay Estate in Rye, Westchester County, New York.
This landmark donation will help restore and rehabilitate an existing historic Carriage House, designed in 1906-7 by the notable New York architect Frank A. Rooke. The space is already being used as a community gathering place for lectures, concerts, art exhibits, and more. Jay Heritage plans to expand their ability to host a more robust calendar of offerings and attract world-class musicians and artists to share their work.
The building’s mahogany ceilings, terracotta brick floors, and enameled walls produce unique acoustics. Chamber ensembles from Juilliard and Yale’s Opera Project, in addition to jazz, cabaret, and a cappella groups, have previously performed for audiences of 150 and more at this site.
The high ceilings and accessible floor plan have made the building suitable for photography and art exhibits as well. The refurbishment will include the finishing of bright, skylit studios on the second floor.
Plans are expected to conserve original materials but also incorporate sustainable features.
A celebratory concert with composer, pianist, and MacArthur genius grant recipient Matthew Aucoin is planned for March 26th, 2023 at 4 pm.
For more information visit the Jay Heritage Center website.
Photo: school group at 1907 carriage house with author Jonah Winter and illustrator Barry Blitt provided by Jay Heritage Center.
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