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
- 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 – 2:00 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!
- Sun, May 19The 1778 Homestead - start at the well!May 19, 2024, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PMOur teen board members will be giving tours of the Homestead! They've been working hard to learn all about this historic treasure - Darien's only Registered National Historic Landmark. Come cheer them on and learn about the Homestead! Price is up to you - make a contribution if you'd like!
- 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”.
- Mon, Jun 03The Mather HomesteadJun 03, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:45 PMDarien and New Canaan High School Seniors and MH Interns will lead lunch bunch fun Monday, June 3 through Thursday, June 6. 12:00 to 1:45. Games, crafts, learning and fun! Reco for ages 4 to 6.
- 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 HomesteadJun 11, 2024, 12:30 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. BYO lunch, we’ll supply the dessert and drinks! Plein Air artists attend for free.
- 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.
- Wed, Jun 19Start in the MH Barn!Jun 19, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMThe national parks are simply spectacular and you can capture the beauty even with your iPhone! Whether you're planning a trip to a stunning park or simply want to capture the beauty of Darien’s local parks and beaches, this hands-on workshop will elevate your landscape photography.
- Wed, Jun 26Mather Homestead patio (rain go away)Jun 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMThe National Park Service launched a project in March: "You Are Here: Poetry in Parks." This initiative will feature site-specific poetry installations in seven national parks. We will be discussing the seven featured poems with Samantha over three sessions.
- Sat, Jun 29Mather outdoors!Jun 29, 2024, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PMOutdoor expert Will Heyne will be here to teach kids the essential skills required to explore the great outdoors including what to pack, safety protocols, orienteering and making a fire. Be prepared to hike and explore! Reco ages 8 to 12.