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The Mather Homestead Foundation is overseen by the Board of Directors: Chair: Richard L. Chilton, Jr., Stephen Berger, Diane Boston, Meredith Edwards, Jennifer L. Foster, Carol Glassmeyer, Ania Janis, Ronald LaMorte, Maeve McGovern, Ginger Morgan, Penny Rashin, John Sini, Tammy Sload, Lauren Swenson, Tiffany Van Elslander. Other boards include: Advisory Board, Junior Board, Teen Board. MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION BOARDS Thank you to our dedicated board members! THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman: Sarah Nickerson Matthew Dougherty Jennifer L. Foster Joellyn Gray Ania Janis Ronald LaMorte Ginger Morgan Penny Rashin Chelsea Staniar Tammy Sload Kelly Stewart Tiffany Van Elslander Alison von Klemperer Chairman Emeritus: Richard L. Chilton, Jr. JUNIOR BOARD The purpose of the Mather Homestead Foundation (MHF) Junior Board is to involve MHF supporters who may not have the time to serve on the Board of Directors, but are interested in being involved. Junior Board members will provide guidance to the Mather Homestead Foundation Board, plan an annual fundraising event, and also serve as ambassadors for MHF in the community. Chairs: Laura Nolen, Stephanie Tucker Taylor Carlson, Jessica Carreiro, Diana Demirjian, Ashley Diamond, Carolyn Elmi, Amanda Forth, Danielle Gaglio, Kate Holderness, Dana Koebbe, Sarah McMackin, Jessica Merrill, Alison Muench, Mariana Rosario, Aly Sommer Junior Board members at June, 2025 Summer Soiree ADVISORY BOARD Thank you to the following people for your service to the Mather Homestead Board of Directors and thank you for your continued engagement as Advisory Board member: Stephen Berger Margot Congdon Meredith Edwards Andrea Huntington Kevin Peraino Tracey Riccardi Kevin Treesh Carolyn Woodberry TEEN BOARD CLICK HERE for more information and application The Mather Homestead Teen Board offers high school students with an interest in history an opportunity to both contribute to and learn from the Mather Homestead, including its rich collection of original documents and antiques. 2025-2026 Chairs: Bella Fiordalis, Ava Mohr, Neev Sahgal Lachlain Blair Consuelo Bowman Eliza DeChristopher James DiBiaso Jackie Gordon Jake Kelley Alex Kettell Quincy Kettell Jack Lang Luke Mihopoulos Sean Mihopoulos Holden Mohr Sabrina Mohr Trevor Nelson Luke Riley Nishka Sahgal Olivia Stricker Finn Wild 2024-25 Teen Board

The Mather Homestead is a historic home in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Built in 1778, the home was raided by Tories during the Revolutionary War and was later the summer home of Stephen Tyng Mather, founder of the National Parks Service. Tours by appointmentment and the Mather Homestead Foundation hosts a wide range of educational programs designed for all ages. The Mather Homestead, Darien's only Registered National Historic Landmark, was built in 1778 by Deacon Joseph Mather, son of the fiery Patriot Reverend Moses Mather, and raided by Tories during the Revolutionary War. The Homestead was later the home of Stephen Tyng Mather, an avid conservationist and the first Director of the National Park Service. Following his death, his daughter, Bertha Mather McPherson, one of Connecticut's first female architects and a visionary preservationist, preserved the home and left it as it is today. In 2017, Mather descendants generously donated the Homestead to a newly created foundation to be operated as a museum dedicated to historical education. The Mather Homestead Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Mather Homestead is Darien's only Registered National Historic Landmark Stephen Tyng Mather (1867-1930) First Director of the National Park Service Owner of the Homestead 1906-1930 MH CELEBRATES AMERICA250! The Mather Homestead will celebrate its Revolutionary War history this year as our country celebrates America 250 -- the semiquincentennial. Join us for lectures, literary discussions, homesteading workshops, a Revolutionary War Reenactment and more. The Mather Homestead Foundation is excited to work with other local organizations—including the Museum of Darien, Historic Rowayton, the Darien Library, the Rowayton Library, Lockwood Mathews Mansion, the DAR (Good Wife’s River Chapter), and the Darien Town Historian—to celebrate America’s founding and the shared Revolutionary War history of Darien and parts of Norwalk, which were once united as Middlesex Parish. Learn More VISIT THE HOMESTEAD The Mather Homestead is rich in history and open for public education and enjoyment. We are open for tours Tuesday through Thursday 9 am to 2 pm, Fridays and Saturdays by appointment. Email us at info@matherhomestead.org to inquire about and schedule a tour. UPCOMING EVENTS Tour The Mather Homestead Today at 9a, 10a, 11a, 12p, or 1p Wed, Apr 15 More info RSVP Records Erased - Professor Chris Brown on Abolition and American Revolution Thu, Apr 23 More info RSVP Painting Patriotism, Healing Wounds: The Art of Col. John Trumbull with Walter W. Woodward Tue, Apr 28 More info Details The British are Coming! Revolutionary War Reenactment at The Mather Homestead Sat, May 02 More info RSVP Field Trip to Yale's Beinecke Library and University Art Gallery Thu, May 14 More info RSVP It Girl Book Group Tue, May 26 More info RSVP The Mather Homestead's 6th Annual Garden Tea Thu, Jun 04 More info RSVP Celebrate The Summer Solstice with The Mather Homestead Junior Board Sat, Jun 13 More info RSVP Plein Air Week September 14 through 18. Please RSVP for lunch September 16 Mon, Sep 14 More info RSVP Middlesex Parish Open House Day Date and time is TBD More info RSVP Book a Tour T-Th 9a to 2p More info RSVP Vinyasa Yoga with Mary Ann Wednesday/Saturday 9:30a More info RSVP BECOME A MEMBER When you become a member of the Mather Homestead you support our mission and help to secure our future. Mission Statement: The Mather Homestead Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the Mather Homestead, built in 1778 and enjoyed by seven generations of Mather descendants, as a treasured place for public education and enjoyment. The Foundation is committed to raising awareness of the Homestead’s unique history, dating back to the Revolutionary War, and Stephen Tyng Mather’s legacy as an important conservationist and the founder of our modern National Parks System. Membership Benefits include: Invitations to free member-only events, d iscounts on Mather Homestead events, f ree tours for you, family and friends, 10% off in our (new!) gift shop, m embership to NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum Association), offering free entry to over 1,400 museums*. $150 Family Membership $100 Individual Membership Become a Member THANK YOU! The Mather Homestead Foundation is thankful to the generosity of the Mather-McPherson family, Richard L. Chilton, Jr., the Darien Foundation, Fox Hill Builders, and our many other supporters . Give

63 National Parks Acadia 50 mi SE of Bangor, ME Read More American Samoa 2,600 mi SW of Honolulu, HI Read More Arches 230 mi S of Salt Lake City, UT Read More Badlands 75 mi SE of Rapid City, SD Read More Big Bend 235 mi S of Midland, TX Read More Biscayne 10 mi S of Miami, FL Read More Black Canyon of the Gunnison 12 mi E of Montrose, CO Read More Bryce Canyon 268 mi S of Salt Lake City, UT Read More Canyonlands 244 mi SE of Salt Lake City, UT Read More Capitol Reef 220 mi S of Salt Lake City, UT Read More Carlsbad Caverns 145 mi NE of El Paso, TX Read More Channel Islands 93 mi W of Los Angeles, CA Read More

Self-Guided Tour 1778 Homestead The Mather Homestead was built in 1778 during the Revolutionary War. It became a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1963 and was included on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 02:14 The Well The well served as the source of water for the house—as well as a crucial hiding place during Tory raids. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 00:37 The Garden Designed by famed architect Walter Burleigh Griffin, this garden has evolved under the care of multiple generations of Mathers. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 00:54 The Cottage Built in 1927, the cottage built here was replaced by a guest house in 1936, which still stands today. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 00:31 The Field This field is the site of what was once a 100 acre self-sustaining farm managed by the Mather family which provided everything the family needed centuries ago. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 00:54 The Playhouse Recently renovated, this playhouse serves as place of fun for generations past, present, and future. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 00:43 The Barn The history of Mather barns goes back well over 100 years. The most recent iteration, the Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center, was built in 2020. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 01:26 The Root Cellar The root cellar was an essential component of a colonial farm in Connecticut. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 01:08 Stephen Mather The grandson of Joseph Mather, Stephen was the first director of the National Park Service, and more than doubled the park system's land area. Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 02:40 The End Thank you for visiting the Mather Homestead! Read More Listen to Audio 00:00 / 00:32

Item List 1778 Home This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Barn This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Gardens This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Playhouse Read More

Eagle Scout Projects Abhilash Polaki Nature Trail, Bench & Sign Read More Connor Blenke Kitchen Garden Read More Dennis Glassmeyer Outdoor Classroom & Seating Read More Owen Miller Woodshed Read More

The Mather Homestead Foundation is working on an "Oral History" project to interview members of the community who have a history with the Mather Homestead and its inhabitants, particularly Bertha Mather McPherson (1906-1993). We welcome your stories! TESTIMONIALS The Mather Homestead Foundation is working on an "Oral History" project to interview members of the community who have a history with the Mather Homestead and its inhabitants, particularly Bertha Mather McPherson (1906-1993). We welcome your stories ! Instructions : Please record your experiences with the Mather family and home/property for 2 to 5 minutes by using the link below (coming soon). Areas of interest : 1) The Mather family Did you know Bertha Mather McPherson? In what context and when? What stories do you remember about her? If not Bertha, please feel free to elaborate about other family members who lived at the Homestead. 2) The Mather Homestead and property What memories do you have about the buildings and property? E.G., features of the property that are no longer there? Experiences you had on the property or in the house? 3) Importance of the Mather Homestead in Darien's and our nation's History The Mather Homestead is thankful for Dr. Fiona Vernal, Associate Professor, University of Connecticut, and Connecticut Humanities for making this project possible!

Woodshed < Back Owen Miller Woodshed Previous Next

FALL SCHOLARS LECTURE Featuring Edward O'Keefe author of The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt Thursday, September 25, 2024 The Mather Homestead, 19 Stephen Mather Road Help us Bring History to Life! We are honored to welcome the renowned author and historian Edward O’Keefe, who will discuss his recent book, The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President . This book is a “dazzling and lyrical look at the making of one of America’s most remarkable presidents. It celebrates five extraordinary yet unsung women – his mother, sisters, and wives who opened the door to the American Century and pushed Theodore Roosevelt through it.” “With meticulous research... [and] perceptive insights... O’Keefe has performed a most valuable service by reminding us how much Theodore Roosevelt, the most virile of presidents, owed to the brilliant women in his life.” - The New York Times Edward O’Keefe is the CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation. He previously spent two decades in broadcast and digital media at ABC News, CNN, and NowThis, during which he received a Primetime Emmy Award for his work with Anthony Bourdain, two Webby Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and a George Foster Peabody Award for ABC’s coverage of 9/11. A former fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, he graduated with honors from Georgetown University. This book is of particular interest to the Mather Homestead: Theodore Roosevelt and Stephen Mather shared a profound commitment to conservation, both finding solace and purpose in the natural world. Roosevelt, known for his vigorous advocacy for preserving America's natural landscapes, established five national parks and numerous national monuments, thus laying the groundwork for the modern conservation movement. Inspired by Roosevelt's vision, Stephen Mather became the first director of the National Park Service, dedicating his life to protecting and expanding the national parks. Both men believed in the restorative power of nature and worked tirelessly to ensure public access to these natural treasures, safeguarding America's natural beauty for future generations. Like the loves of Theodore Roosevelt, Bertha Mather McPherson, Stephen Mather's daughter was an unsung hero. Bertha was one of the first female architects in Connecticut, a founding member of the Darien Historical Society, and Bertha McPherson, applied for and successfully received the designation of the Mather family homestead as a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The homestead was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, again thanks to her efforts. Scholars Lecture featuring Edward O'Keefe September 26th, 2024 6 - 9 PM The Mather Homestead, Darien, CT Mint Julip Welcome Reception in the Mather Homestead’s Sunken Garden Presentation featuring Edward O’Keefe in the Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center Dessert Bar and Champagne Toast honoring Bertha (Mather) McPherson and all of the Women Who Inspire Each of Us In the weeks leading up to O’Keefe’s presentation, The Mather Homestead will bring “history to life” through exciting excursions to National Historic Sites in New York City and the Long Island shore that will offer a deeper understanding of Roosevelt's world and the remarkable women who influenced him. We hope you will join us for a visit to Teddy Roosevelt's birthplace as well as his summer home, Sagamore Hill . The Mather Homestead is a museum dedicated to historical education, aiming to inspire a deeper appreciation for America’s past. We hope you will join us for this extraordinary journey, offering important new insights into Teddy Roosevelt’s life and legacy. We ask for your support of this event which will be our sole fall 2024 fundraising event. Event Patron levels (below) honor both Bertha Mather and the contributions of Teddy Roosevelt's mother, Mittie, his sisters Bamie and Connie, his first wife, Alice, and his second wife Edith, all shaped and supported Roosevelt, contributing significantly to his success as one of America's most influential presidents. We encourage you to make your contribution in honor/memory of one of the many women who influenced your life. All levels will receive event tickets and autographed books. Ticket quantities and additional offerings will vary based on level. Event proceeds will benefit The Mather Homestead Foundation’s 1778 Home Restoration Project. Donations are tax-deductible _____$10,000 The Bertha Mather Sponsorship Special recognition at the event 10 VIP tickets and autographed books Teddy Roosevelt excursion to his birthplace in NYC Mather Homestead membership ______$5,000 The Mittie Roosevelt Sponsorship (Teddy’s Mother) Special recognition at the event 10 VIP tickets and autographed books Mather Homestead membership ______$2,500 The Bamie Roosevelt Sponsorship (Teddy’s Sister) Eight event tickets and autographed books Mather Homestead membership ______$1,000 The Connie Roosevelt Sponsorship (Teddy’s Sister) Six event tickets and autographed books ______ $500 The Edith Roosevelt Sponsorship (Teddy’s First Wife) Four event tickets and autographed books _______$250 The Alice Roosevelt Sponsorship (Teddy’s Second Wife) One event ticket and one autographed book The Mather Homestead Foundation is a 501 ©(3) dedicated to preserving the Mather Homestead, established in 1778 and home to seven generations of Mather descendants, as a treasured place for historical education and enjoyment.

The Mather Homestead was built in 1778 and has been impeccably preserved over two and a half centuries. < Back The Mather Homestead The Mather Homestead was built in 1778 and has been impeccably preserved over two and a half centuries. Previous Next

The Mather family ancestry traces back to 17th century England

Wool-on-Wool, Bokhara; handmade; 7’ x 11’. First quarter 20th century. < Back Oriental Rug First Floor - Dining Room Other Decorative Arts Wool-on-Wool, Bokhara; handmade; 7’ x 11’. First quarter 20th century. Featuring a red ground with red, crème and blue medallions or “elephant’s foot” motif, surrounded by a narrow floral border; natural dyes. Condition is fair with several threadbare areas of 12”. Previous Next