The Homestead Farm

<br> This property has seen many changes. Over 2,200 years ago, Native Americans lived and hunted here. As the family’s tenanted farm in the 1700s, it produced wheat, rye, corn, and other grains. After Jay’s retirement and the development of the farm in the early 1800s, fruit orchards and mills were added. Jay’s descendants further diversified the farm by producing dairy products, flowers, and vegetables for the New York City markets only 50 miles away. In the 20th century, chicken farming was attempted, but Westchester County’s expanding residential development was already greatly altering the area’s agricultural nature. <br><br> The Homestead reflects the life-styles of five generations of the Jay family. It also mirrors changes that our country has experienced as it evolved from a farm-based society to a market-based economy. As you walk along today, picture the farm as it was 50, 100, or 200 years ago and envision the life of the Jays of Bedford.