THE JEWELS OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY
―May 22, 2010―

From Doylestown:                           From New Hope:
              Departure Time: 7:15 A.M.              Departure Time: 7:30 A.M.
                      Return Time: Approx. 7:45 P.M.      Return Time: Approx. 7:30 P.M.

Cost: $98.00 due at time of reservation

Reservation deadline: May 4, 2010

    Visit two of the jewels of Westchester County, New York, in this day of history and inspiration. In the morning you will visit the former home, farm, and gardens of John Jay (1745-1829), one of America’s principal Founding Fathers and the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Nestled in the rolling countryside of the county, the estate is one of the few historic farms owned by a Founding Father and open to the public.
    The property was home to six generations of the Jay family who lived there from 1801 to 1953. Your private tour will encompass twelve beautifully restored rooms with period furnishings, family memorabilia, and portraits by American artists. Time will be allotted to stroll the four meticulously manicured formal gardens and to visit the gray stone schoolhouse and playhouse built for Jay’s grandchildren.
     Of all the Founding Fathers, no other filled more high offices than John Jay. In addition to being the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Jay was Minister to Spain during the American Revolutionary War, the major negotiator of the Treaty of Paris which ended the American Revolutionary War, co-author of the Federalist Papers which urged ratification of the U.S. Constitution, President of the Second Continental Congress, Secretary for Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation, and the second governor of New York State. After twenty-seven years of service to his state and nation, Jay looked forward to retiring with his wife, Sarah, and their four children to a property he had acquired from a family estate. The family moved there in 1801. Tragically, Sarah died a few months later. Jay never remarried and was content living the life of a gentleman farmer until his death in 1829. His son William inherited the property after which the estate passed to several generations of the Jay family, the last of whom was Eleanor Jay Iselin who resided there until 1953. In 1958 the house and an additional thirty of the original acreage were purchased from Iselin’s heirs by Westchester County and transferred to the State of New York, which opened the property to the public in 1964. Today, the 62-acre homestead has been declared a New York State Historic Site.
     After lunch on your own in Katonah, you will travel to Stepping Stones, a place that embodies inspiration, recovery, reflection, and hope. It is the historic home of Bill W.(ilson) co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and his wife Lois W.(ilson), founder of Al-Anon/Alateen. It was here the legendary Wilsons lived the last half of their lives and produced many of their most important contributions to society. The house and gardens are on both the New York State and the National Register of Historic Places and the New York State Women’s Heritage Trail.
     Your especially-arranged private tour of the eight-acre property bought by the Wilsons in 1941 begins at the driveway. Here the original welcome sign “Stepping Stones-Wilson,” an example of Bill’s handiwork, continues to invite guests from around the world. Once inside, you will learn about the Wilsons’ day-to-day lives and their distinct legacy. You will walk to “Wit’s End,” the writing studio where Bill sought motivation, penned the twelve-step program, and answered every piece of mail. You will have time to stroll the garden that compliments the living quarters and reflects the Wilsons’ love of nature.
Bill W., named one of the most important people of the 20th Century by Time and Life magazines, died in 1971. Lois, who founded Al Anon in the library at Stepping Stones in 1951, died in 1988 at the age of 97. They left no children. Today the property is maintained by The Stepping Stones Foundation.

The tour includes motorcoach transportation, admissions, and services of professional tour guides.
Lunch on your own in Katonah, NY.

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