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Bringing History to Life!

The Mather Homestead, Darien's only Registered National Historic Landmark, is a historic home and property on the four corners of Brookside and Stephen Mather Roads. The home was built in 1778 by Deacon Joseph Mather, son of the fiery Patriot Reverend Moses Mather, raided by Tories during the Revolutionary War, and later the home of Stephen Tyng Mather, an avid conservationist and the first Director of the National Park Service. The house was passed through six generations of Mathers until 2017, when the home was generously donated by Mather descendants to a newly created foundation to be operated as a museum dedicated to historical education. The Mather Homestead Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

 

The Mather Homestead is rich in history and open for public education and enjoyment.

 

We are open for tours BY APPOINTMENT Tuesday through Thursday 11 am to 3 pm, Fridays and Saturdays 1 to 3 pm.

The Mather Homestead is Darien's only Registered National Historic Landmark

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Stephen Tyng Mather (1867-1930)
First Director of the National Park Service
Owner of the Homestead 1906-1930

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Homesteading 101 Workshop:  Holiday Greenery
    Homesteading 101 Workshop:  Holiday Greenery
    Thu, Dec 05
    MH Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center
    Dec 05, 2024, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Dec 05, 2024, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Create your holiday wreath! We provide all the materials -- plus a holiday cocktail or two for inspiration. Bring clippers please! $95/$85 members
  • Middle School Essay Contest!
    Middle School Essay Contest!
    Fri, Dec 06
    www.matherhomestead.org/essay-contest
    Dec 06, 2024, 9:00 AM
    Dec 06, 2024, 9:00 AM
    Our 3nd annual essay contest is open to middle schoolers (grades 6 to 8). Essays due Friday, Dec. 6 by 5 pm. Winners will be announced on Friday, Dec. 15th. Click on the "RSVP" link to let us know you intend to submit and to see essay topic and how to submit (scroll down to "About the event")!
  • Merry Mather: Holiday Song & Cheer
    Merry Mather: Holiday Song & Cheer
    Sun, Dec 08
    The Mather Homestead Barn
    Dec 08, 2024, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
    Dec 08, 2024, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
    With gratitude for our generous donors and members, we invite you for traditional holiday music and cheer featuring the Darien High School Soundwaves a cappella group. Wine & Wassail, hors d'oeuvres & sweet treats!
  • Winter Solstice Yoga with Mary Ann
    Winter Solstice Yoga with Mary Ann
    Sun, Dec 15
    Mather Barn
    Dec 15, 2024, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    Dec 15, 2024, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    Candlelight, vinyasa style yoga in the Barn with Mary Ann.
  • Poetry with Samantha:  'Twas the Night Before Christmas
    Poetry with Samantha:  'Twas the Night Before Christmas
    Wed, Dec 18
    Darien
    Dec 18, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Dec 18, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    We will celebrate the season with a reading and discussion of the classic 1823 poem which may ... or may not have been written by Clement Clarke Moore.
  • Holly Jolly Christmas!
    Holly Jolly Christmas!
    Sat, Dec 21
    Darien
    Dec 21, 2024, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
    Dec 21, 2024, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
    Family Fun presented by the Junior Board. Crafts, cookie decorating, live music and a visit from St. Nick! Plus festive bevs & sweet treats.
  • Book Club with Samantha:  "James" by Percival Everett
    Book Club with Samantha:  "James" by Percival Everett
    Wed, Jan 15
    Mather Homestead Barn
    Jan 15, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Jan 15, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Samantha will lead us through a discussion of a "brilliant, action-packed reimagining of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."
  • Tea with the Queen Bee
    Tea with the Queen Bee
    Thu, Jan 30
    Mather Homestead Barn
    Jan 30, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Jan 30, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    January is "hot tea month" and we are celebrating with a traditional tea by Carolyn's Absolutely Fabulous Events plus talk featuring beekeeper and honey sommelier Marina Marchese aka “the queen bee” who returns for her second visit to the Homestead.
  • Black History Month Lecture:  Charles Young, first black National Parks Superintendent
    Black History Month Lecture:  Charles Young, first black National Parks Superintendent
    Wed, Feb 26
    Mather Homestead barn
    Feb 26, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Feb 26, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Author Brian Shellum will share the fascinating life of Charles Young (1864-1922), born into slavery in Kentucky, who was the third Black graduate of the United States Military Academy, first Black U.S. national park superintendent, first Black military attaché, and first black Colonel in the Army.
  • Conference Day Fun + Learning at the Mather Homestead
    Conference Day Fun + Learning at the Mather Homestead
    Wed, Mar 19
    The Mather Hometead
    Mar 19, 2025, 2:00 PM – Mar 21, 2025, 3:30 PM
    Mar 19, 2025, 2:00 PM – Mar 21, 2025, 3:30 PM
    Kids - Join us for fun + learning at the Mather Homestead on March conference days! Day #1: Escape the Tories! Day #2: Fun at the National Parks! Day #3: Mather Crafts & Games!
  • Mather Tavern Night
    Mather Tavern Night
    Thu, Apr 24
    MH Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center
    Apr 24, 2025, 7:00 PM
    Apr 24, 2025, 7:00 PM
    Join us for our third annual Night at the Mather Tavern! Tavern Food + Tavern Drink + Tavern History + Tavern Games = Tavern Fun
  • 2025 Garden Tea
    2025 Garden Tea
    Thu, May 22
    Mather Homestead gardens, lawn & barn
    May 22, 2025, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
    May 22, 2025, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
    Join us for our fifth annual garden tea! More details to follow soon.
  • Yoga with Mary Ann
    Yoga with Mary Ann
    Mon., Weds. 9:30 am
    Mather Barn
    Mon., Weds. 9:30 am
    Mon., Weds. 9:30 am
    Vinyasa style yoga in the barn. No class Pres. Day Week Feb 19 & 21.
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