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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!

Mather Homestead drawing

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

  • 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Multiple Dates
    Wed, Mar 19
    The Mather Hometead
    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
    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
    Join us for our fifth annual garden tea! More details to follow soon.
  • Plein Air at the Mather Homestead June 7 to June 14 - please RSVP for lunch on June 10th!
    Plein Air at the Mather Homestead June 7 to June 14 - please RSVP for lunch on June 10th!
    Tue, Jun 10
    Mather Homestead Barn
    Jun 10, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
    Artists and aspiring artists are invited to enjoy the Mather Homestead property from June 7 through June 14. Come to paint, draw, photograph and be inspired!! Join us for lunch on Wednesday, June 10th compliments of the Mather Homestead! Raindate June 11th. Please RSVP!
  • Exhibit: Stephen Mather and the National Parks
    Exhibit: Stephen Mather and the National Parks
    by appointment
    The Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Cntr
    by appointment
    Learn about the life and legacy of Stephen Tyng Mather (1867-1930), the first Director of the National Park Service and the owner of the Homestead from 1906 to 1930. Exhibit geared towards adults PLUS "kids corner" for kids of all ages. Open hours Thurs. 6 to 7:30, Sat. 11 to 1, Sun. 1 to 3
  • Yoga with Mary Ann
    Yoga with Mary Ann
    Mon., Weds. 9:30 am
    Mather Barn
    Mon., Weds. 9:30 am
    Vinyasa style yoga in the barn. No class Pres. Day Week Feb 19 & 21.
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