🔥 Trending Jay Medal Soirée: American Historians Honored at Local Event

The Jay Medal Soirée is an event organized by the Jay Heritage Center to honor individuals who demonstrate a selfless spirit of commitment to and engagement with their community, mirroring the multifaceted contributions of John Jay ³.

History and Purpose of the Jay Medal

The Jay Medal for Service was established in 2012 ³. Its creation aimed to recognize individuals whose community involvement and dedication reflect the values and extensive public service of John Jay, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Catherine “Kitty” Aresty, an early member of the Jay Coalition, was instrumental in mobilizing volunteers to save the Jay Property, an effort that embodies the spirit the medal seeks to acknowledge ².

Recent and Upcoming Honorees

The Jay Heritage Center continues to host this event annually.

2026 Jay Medal Honorees

On April 23, 2026, the Jay Heritage Center announced the honorees for the 2026 Jay Medal:

• Annette Gordon-Reed: A Pulitzer Prize-winning author and the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard University ³⁵.
• Harold Holzer: An award-winning Lincoln historian ³⁵.

The 2026 Jay Medal Soirée is scheduled for September 19th ³. The Center views this celebration as a fitting way to commemorate America's 250th anniversary, honoring these two respected guardians of the nation's historical narrative and evolution ⁵.

The Jay Heritage Center

The Jay Heritage Center is located at the Jay Estate, a 23-acre park and historic site ⁵. It serves as a hub for community engagement and historical preservation. The center also hosts various educational programs, such as archaeology camps, and has preserved historical artifacts like the 1907 Seth Thomas clock in the Carriage House ⁴.