LITERARY EVENTS
BOOK CLUB, POETRY
Our literary series is led by Samantha Gault, a seasoned educator who brings American literature to life! Our lively discussions include "book club" discussions of historical fiction and non-fiction, poetry discussions, and other discussions of literature. And our discussions include events for both adults and kids. Samantha makes learning fun and accessible for all. JOIN US!
And please consider purchasing from our friends at Barrett Bookstore or Elm Street books - buy local!
Do you have a book/topic to recommend? Email us!
About Samantha Gault
A career educator, Samantha taught high school English at Greenwich Academy for eight years and at The Dalton School for five. She currently teaches ninth grade English at New Canaan Country School, where her own children – William, age 9, and Georgia, age 7 – are students. She holds a Bachelor's in English from Dartmouth College and a Master's in English from Middlebury, with a specialty in poetry and American and modern literature. Samantha and her family live in Darien and are pleased to welcome the Mather Homestead Education Center to the neighborhood!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tue, Mar 26The Mather Homestead BarnMar 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMOn the heels of Artscapades' American Portraiture lecture, Lisa Thoren will teach us to create our own portraits. Learn to capture expression, gesture, and stay in the moment. Live model will be present (fully clothed :-))
- Wed, Mar 27Mather HomesteadMar 27, 2024, 7:00 PMArtscapades returns to the Homestead for a lecture about American Portraiture. They will focus on well known artists such as John Singleton Copley, as well as a discussion of the portraits in the 1778 Mather home. Doors open 6:30 - join us for wine & conversation!
- Wed, Apr 03DarienApr 03, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMEdna St. Vincent Millay was an American lyrical poet and playwright. Millay was a renowned social figure and noted feminist in New York City during the Roaring Twenties and beyond. She wrote much of her prose and hackwork verse under the pseudonym Nancy Boyd.
- Thu, Apr 25The BarnApr 25, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PMEric Chandler of Past Presented returns to tell us about "Sheldon's Horse" 2nd regiment Continental Light Dragoons who will be coming to the Homestead for demonstrations and more on Saturday, April 27. BYO lunch and we'll provide dessert and drinks!
- Fri, Apr 26Mather BarnApr 26, 2024, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PMLearn about Revolutionary Heroes through fun games - bingo, charades ... and more! We encourage you to read a book on your favorite Revolutionary Hero, but definitely not required. Barrett has many books to recommended. Buy local! Bringing history to life! Ages 8 to 12.
- Sat, Apr 27The Mather HomesteadApr 27, 2024, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PMSheldon's Horse, Second Continental Light Dragoons, will visit the Homestead for a day of education and fun. Drills, demonstrations, lectures, crafts and more. Fun for the whole family. Bring a carrot for the horses!
- Thu, May 02MH BarnMay 02, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMJane Mossa from The Pink Rhubarb will teach us about cooking with the freshest ingredients - whether from your own garden or the farmer's market. We'll make fresh salsa, tomatillos, tortillas, and chili rellenos while sipping on margaritas. Farm fresh Mexican just in time for Cinco de Mayo!
- Thu, May 16Mather Homestead - barn or garden tbd!May 16, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMAhead of our field trip to the Bellamy-Ferriday house in Bethlehem, Connecticut, we will discuss "Lilac Girls" by Martha Hall Kelly. Kelly's book about socialite Caroline Ferriday and her fight to help a group of concentration camp survivors became an instant NY Times bestseller after publication.
- Sat, May 18Fraunces TavernMay 18, 2024, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PMJoin us for a tour of New York City’s earliest pubs … the rooms where it happened! We’ll start downtown at Fraunces Tavern, the place where George Washington gave his Farewell address to his officers in 1783, and end at Pete’s Tavern in Midtown with lots of pubs, history and fun in between!
- Tue, May 21BethlehemMay 21, 2024, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMJoin us for a visit to the Bellamy-Ferriday House in Bethlehem, CT which shares many similarities to MH! A beautiful, historic home and gardens preserved by a 20th century woman. In their case, Caroline Ferriday, in ours, Bertha Mather. Incl. ride, tour & lunch at the historic 1754 House, Woodbury.
- Wed, May 22The BarnMay 22, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMRolf Diamant, co-author "Olmsted and Yosemite: Civil War, Abolition, and the National Park Idea," will discuss his fascinating take on the national parks, linking their creation to the abolition of slavery and questions of citizenship and nationhood in the Civil War years.
- Mon, May 27Meet at Goodwives Shopping CenterMay 27, 2024, 10:00 AMJoin Mather high school interns and the teen board as they march! Dress up encouraged! Theme: Stephen Mather and the National Parks!
- Thu, May 30DarienMay 30, 2024, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PMFeaturing Pieter Estersohn, renowned photographer of architecture and interiors, and contributor to Architectural Digest. He will discuss his new book: “Back to the Land: A New Way of Life in the Country”.
- Tue, Jun 11Mather Homestead BarnJun 11, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PMArtists and aspiring artists are invited to enjoy the Mather Homestead property from June 8 through June 15. Come to paint, draw, photograph and be inspired!! We will have iced tea and snacks available every day. Lunch event on Wednesday, June 11th! Raindate June 12th. Please RSVP!
- Tue, Jun 11Mather groundsJun 11, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMJoin us expert painters and novices alike for painting at the Mather Homestead! Lisa Thoren will help us to improve our painting from wherever we are starting. Be inspired by the beautiful Mather outdoors! Beverages and snacks to fortify you!
- Mon, Jun 17The Mather HomesteadJun 17, 2024, 7:00 PM – Aug 01, 2024, 11:00 PMThe Pink Rhubarb returns to the Mather Homestead with summer workshops for kids in cooking, gardening and craft. Your children will relax, learn, and explore both in the kitchen and the garden.
- Sun, Jun 30Mather Homestead lawnJun 30, 2024, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PMWe are thrilled to welcome American singer-songwriter and storyteller, Griffin House, to the Mather Homestead for a concert on the lawn! Touring and making records for over 20 years, House has a discography that includes over 13 albums. His music is described as "rootsy, atmospheric Americana".
- Mon, Aug 05The Mather HomesteadAug 05, 2024, 9:00 AM – Aug 09, 2024, 12:00 PMWriting workshop inspired by 18th & 19th century poets, storytellers, letter writers, journalists, nature writers, and travel writers. Samantha will lead kids through the process of writing -- selecting topics, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing their original work! Reco ages 8 to 13.