UPCOMING EVENTS
Scholar's Lecture
POSTPONED .. stay tuned for new date
The Mather Homestead Foundation is excited to welcome bestselling author and pulitzer prize winner in both history and journalism, Rick Atkinson to the Homestead. Lawrence Rush "Rick" Atkinson IV will discuss his latest book: The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777, the first volume in the Revolution Trilogy. Other bestselling books include An Army at Dawn (winner of the Pulitzer Prize for history), The Day of Battle, The Long Gray Line, In the Company of Soldiers, and Crusade. His many other awards include the George Polk award, and the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award.
Scholar's Lecture: The National Parks, America's Best Idea
Sunday, October 4th, 2:00 pm
Dayton Duncan is an Emmy award-winning writer and documentary film maker, best known for his stunning series The National Parks, America’s Best Idea. An artistic visionary who brings history to life through his books and film, he has been the creative partner of director, Ken Burns for over twenty years.
Duncan has been a consultant or writer/producer for the two most watched programs in PBS’s history, the documentary series The Civil War and Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery. Overall his impressive portfolio of films and books captures the heart and spirit of U.S. history and culture. more
Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
Book Club
NEW DATE: Wednesday, July 29th, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Our next book club event features My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. Depending upon social distancing rules, this discussion will take place in the Homestead garden or virtually via zoom. Stay tuned but start reading! Please, buy your book locally at Barrett Bookstore. Email us to rsvp.
RECENT EVENTS
Rick Atkinson, The British Are Coming!
Virtual Book Club
Thursday, May 28th, 6 - 7 pm
While our Scholar's Lecture with Rick Atkinson (more information below) has been postponed to the fall, we look forward to a lively discussion of his book this Spring! Kevin Peraino, Mather Homestead board member, historian/author, and director of the Jay Heritage Center in Rye, NY will lead the discussion. Books available at Barrett for 10% discount - please buy local! Please sign up for our free book discussion.
Did you miss the "All Star" tour?
On Sunday, March 1st, Docents Gordon Hastings AND Donn Smith gave ~20 guests an "all star" tour of the Homestead.
Please click here to hear the story of the Mather Homestead as told by Gordon Hastings and click here to see interesting Mather Homestead artifacts discovered by Donn Smith!
"Show & Tell" -- from the Attic of the Mather Homestead
Saturday, November 16th, 4pm
Mather Homestead docent and blog author, Donn Smith, has been spending time in the Mather Homestead attic! He will share with us the many treasures he has discovered. A bible from 1743. A girl's dress from the 1860's. Stephen Mather's camera. AND MORE! Enjoy tea, cookies and treasures abound! Free. RSVP
Fall Book Club Event on Founding Gardeners
Wednesday, November 6th, 7pm
Explore the American Revolution through a new prism, our country's original gardens and horticulture. Writer and local historian Kevin Peraino will lead a discussion for all history lovers. Free. RSVP
3rd Annual Fall Harvest Festival
Saturday, November 2nd, 12-3pm
Our popular Harvest Festival is back! Save the date for pony rides, historical crafts and fall treats! Online ticket sales closed - please purchase at the homestead
Cocktails and Conversation
Sunday, October 20, 5-7pm
Over 40 guests joined us to celebrate the groundbreaking of our new Education Center and the second year of the foundation.
Fall Clean Up Day in the garden
Saturday October 12, 1-4pm
Community members and Darien scouts joined us to weed, paint, rake and wash the terrace and surrounding property. Thank you to all volunteers!
Kids Book Club on Tory Hole
Children 7-12 joined Darien children's librarian Elisabeth to discuss of Tory Hole on July 30th, 2019. Written in 1940, Tory Hole tells the story of British troops who took refuge in a cave in Tokeneke during the revolution. It's an exciting tale about spies, smugglers and marauding Tories that became a hit with young history students everywhere!
Scholars Lecture on Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
Scholars Lecture: Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 6:30 pm
On April 24, 2019, Gordon Wood, Professor Emeritus for the History Department of Brown University and Pulitzer Prize winner, discussed his most recent book Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to a sold out audience. Little trivia fact ... Professor Gordon Wood was mentioned by Matt Damon in the film "Good Will Hunting"!
Story time for Kids
Sunday, December 16, 2018, 4:00 pm
Kids 5 to 10 listened to the classic American Christmas poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas", made a popcorn and cranberry garland and had snacks and cocoa. Join us next year for a repeat event!
Harvest Festival
November 3rd, 11-2
Our 2nd annual Fall Harvest Festival was once again a huge success with pony rides, historical crafts, scavenger hunt, fall treats and fun! Join us next year!
The Mather Homestead Scholars Lecture
The Mather Homestead welcomes esteemed academics of American History for lectures. On Thursday, April 19 at 7 pm, the Homestead welcomed Harold Holzer, scholar of Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the American Civil War Era. He won the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize and four other awards in 2015 for his book, Lincoln and the Power of the Press. His topic: "Lincoln and the Press: Fake News 19th Century Style". Stay tuned for information on our next event.
