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HOMESTEADING WORKSHOPS
Homesteading is a term for a "lifestyle of self-sufficiency" which describes the life of the Mather family back in 1778 when Deacon Joseph and Sarah Mather built the Homestead. Their surrounding 100 acre farm provided everything an 11 person family needed to be self-sufficient. They raised animals, grew vegetables and other crops, cooked, sewed and embroidered their clothing, canned fruits and vegetables, made candles ... and more. Our workshops give participants knowledge and hands-on experience with activities that would have been undertaken by Homesteaders. Join us!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Multiple DatesOct 10, 2025, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PMNight at the Museum returns for the fourth year! Can you escape the tories to find the secret treasure? 5 to 6:30 pm, ages 5 to 9; 7:30 to 9 pm ages 10 to 13. Limited to 25 kids per session. Headlamps provided for outdoor spooky fun!!
Multiple DatesOct 13, 2025, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AMRefresh your mind and energy with this revitalizing practice to uplift and restore your entire system. Enjoy a well-paced flow that will offer you just the right amount of challenge while encouraging strength, resistance, and flexibility while reducing tension in the hips, back and shoulders.
Oct 14, 2025, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PMThe Mather Homestead in partnership with CT Public will host an exclusive preview of Ken Burns’ long awaited documentary series. 36 minute film "sneak peek" followed by a panel discussion with historians Friederike Baer and Thomas Balcerski, moderated by Lucy Nalpathanchil of CT Public.
Oct 22, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMOur first fall poetry evening will feature the work of Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784). Wheatley, born in West Africa, sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight, and brought to Boston, is considered the first African-American author of a published book of poetry.
Oct 25, 2025, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PMJoin us for pony rides, petting zoo, hay rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, crafts, games, cider & donuts, and live music! Tickets - members: $15 adult/$10 child, non-members: $20 adult/$15 child.
Multiple DatesNov 05, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMNeedlepoint a 1776 flag ornament for your holiday tree. We’ll kick off on Nov 5 with stitching, then return on Nov 19 to finish the ornament. Wine, cheese & sweet treats!
Nov 12, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PMJoin Christopher Wigren of Preservation Connecticut and Chris Fagan, architect of Darien's newly restored Pond Weed House for a discussion of Connecticut's Revolutionary Era homes and the preservation efforts that have sustained them, including Bertha Mather McPherson's pioneering work in Darien.
Multiple DatesDec 04, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PMCreate your holiday wreath! We provide all the materials -- plus a holiday cocktail or two for inspiration. Bring clippers please! Click on "select different date" to register for the 2nd session. $95/$85 members
Dec 07, 2025, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PMWith gratitude for our generous donors and members, we invite you to celebrate the season + our outgoing Executive Director, Heather Raker, plus extend a warm welcome to incoming Executive Director Samantha Gault. Festive cocktails, hors d'oeuvres & sweet treats!
Dec 10, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMJoin MH Literary Guru Samantha Gault as we explore the many portrayals of George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776 -- from art, to poetry and more.
Dec 20, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PMFamily Fun presented by the Junior Board. Crafts, cookie decorating, live music and a visit from St. Nick! Plus festive bevs & sweet treats.
Jan 22, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMJoin acclaimed author and historian Kostya Kennedy for a talk on his new book about Paul Revere—the famed man of the midnight ride. With Kennedy's signature storytelling and fresh insights, this event will reveal the real Revere: artisan, revolutionary, innovator.
Jan 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PMJanuary is "hot tea month" and we are celebrating with a traditional tea by Carolyn's Absolutely Fabulous Events plus talk tbd.- Jan 24, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PMJanuary is "hot tea month" and we are celebrating with a traditional tea by Carolyn's Absolutely Fabulous Events. Bring your American Girl dolls!
Jan 29, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIn celebration of our country’s 250th birthday, come join our creative mixed media workshop. Jasper Johns’s iconic work will inspire our collage making and painting. All art supplies are included plus wine, cheese & sweet treats for inspiration.
Feb 11, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMArtScapades will look at how artists depicted the events that led up to the Revolution, the battles that raged during the conflict, the creation and signing of a Declaration of Independence, and images that reflect the early days of a new country
Feb 26, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PMEric Chandler returns for a lively lunchtime lecture: Slaves, Freemen & Haitians in the American Revolution -Between a Rock and a Hard Place. BYO lunch. We'll provide bevs & dessert.
Mar 05, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMWe celebrate Women's History Month by welcoming Cornelia Dayton, Professor of History at the University of Connecticut and author of Women's America: Refocusing the Past. She will dive into the history of American women in CT - focusing on the 18th and 19th century. Who were they? What did they do?
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