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The Mather Homestead is bringing history to life through educational programs designed for all ages. Come for an event or tour to learn more about the rich history of the Mather family and their home. HOMESTEAD HAPPENINGS There's lots happening at the Homestead! We are bringing history to life through lectures , literary workshops , kids learning & fun , family events including historic reenactments , art-at-mather , music-at-mather , field trips and more! Sun, Dec 07 Merry Mather: Celebrate the Season and our Staff! / Details Dec 07, 2025, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM With 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! Thu, Dec 18 Poetry with Samantha / RSVP Dec 18, 2025, 7:00 PM Cozy up at the Homestead with a night of winter poems and warm beverages! Celebrate the season with selections by Robert Frost, ee cummings, and more. Sat, Dec 20 Colonial Christmas with a Visit from St. Nicholas / RSVP Dec 20, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Family Fun presented by the Junior Board. Crafts, cookie decorating, live music and a visit from St. Nick! Plus festive bevs & sweet treats. Wed, Jan 14 A Conversation about Ken Burns' PBS Documentary Series: An American Revolution / RSVP Jan 14, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Whether you watched a couple hours or all twelve, join us for a roundtable discussion! What did you learn? What did you love? What left you wanting ... more??! Come weigh in. All are welcome! Wed, Jan 28 Lecture featuring Kostya Kennedy: Paul Revere and the Ride that Saved America / Details Jan 28, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Join 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. Thu, Jan 29 Mixed Media Art with Lisa Thorén / Details Jan 29, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM In 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. Wed, Feb 11 The Art of American Independence: Beyond the Declaration / Details Feb 11, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ArtScapades 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 Thu, Feb 26 America 250 Brown Bag Lunch with Eric Chandler / Details Feb 26, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eric 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. Thu, Mar 05 Lecture featuring Cornelia Dayton: Snapshots of 18th & 19th Century American Women / Details Mar 05, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM We 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? Sat, May 02 Revolutionary War Reenactment / Details May 02, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM We will welcome the 5th Connecticut Regiment for a Revolutionary War Reenactment. Earlier in the day, the Museum of Darien will host the 5th Regiment for Fifth Ct Regiment for colonial cooking and artisan demonstrations. Sat, Jun 13 Middlesex Parish Open House Day! / RSVP Jun 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Celebrate America 250 with Middlesex Parish! Local historic museums and Revolutionary War sites will be open for tours and fun on Connecticut's "Open House" Day. Date and time is TBD Literary Evening: Washington Crossing the Delaware and the stories we’ve told since - in art, in poetry, and first hand / Details Date and time is TBD Join 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. Monday & Wednesday 9:30 am Vinyasa yoga with Mary Ann / RSVP Monday & Wednesday 9:30 am Refresh 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. Past Events

Refresh 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. It includes movement through yoga poses and breathwork to get your morning or week started in a positive and uplifting way. YOGA IN THE MATHER HOMESTEAD BARN Holiday Schedule 2025! Last class of 2025 is Monday, December 22 NO CLASS December 8, 24, 29, 31. See you back for Yoga Monday January 5, 2026!! Multiple Dates Vinyasa yoga with Mary Ann Dec 10, 2025, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Refresh 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. Buy Tickets Join us for Yoga Vinyasa Style Yoga in the MH Barn Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 am - plus a few pop ups! Yoga at the Mather Homestead with Mary Ann Morning Flow and Breathwork Mondays & Wednesdays at 9:30 am $30 per class, $250 pack of 10. Refresh 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. It includes movement through yoga poses and breathwork to get your morning or week started in a positive and uplifting way. BYO mat and water. We've got three ways ... wait now five ways to pay for a single class in an effort to make it easiest for you! See which works best ... Pay via Apple Pay: click here or scan QR code below! Pay via Zelle : In banking app, scan QR code below or pay to info@matherhomestead.org ! Pay via Venmo: @mather-homestead-foundation or can QR code below x9649 Quick View Yoga 10 pack Price $250.00 Quick View Yoga in the Mather Homestead Barn - drop in Price $30.00 Buy Single Class via cc

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 11 am to 2 pm, Fridays and Saturdays by appointment. Email us at info@matherhomestead.org to inquire about and schedule a tour. UPCOMING EVENTS Private tour of the Met's American Wing - the American Revolution Tue, Sep 30 More info Details Night at the Museum...Celebrate America's 250th! Fri, Oct 10 More info Details Ken Burns new cinematic documentary: The American Revolution Exclusive CT Preview Tue, Oct 14 More info Details Poetry with Samantha: Phillis Wheatley Wed, Oct 22 More info Details Fall Harvest Festival - sponsored by BMW of Darien Sat, Oct 25 More info Details Homesteading Workshop: 1776 Needlepoint Ornament - stitching Wed, Nov 05 More info Details Discover Connecticut's Revolutionary War Sites and the Preservation Movement that Saved Them Wed, Nov 12 More info Details Homesteading Workshop: 1776 Needlepoint Ornament - finishing Wed, Nov 19 More info Details Literary Evening: Washington Crossing the Delaware and the stories we’ve told since - in art, in poetry, and first hand Date and time is TBD More info Details Colonial Christmas with a Visit from St. Nicholas Sat, Dec 20 More info RSVP Lecture featuring Kostya Kennedy: Paul Revere and the Ride that Saved America Wed, Jan 28 More info Details The Art of American Independence: Beyond the Declaration Wed, Feb 11 More info Details Lecture featuring Cornelia Dayton: Snapshots of 18th & 19th Century American Women Thu, Mar 05 More info Details Revolutionary War Reenactment Sat, May 02 More info Details Vinyasa yoga with Mary Ann Monday & Wednesday 9:30 am 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

PAST EVENTS Homesteading Workshop: 1776 Needlepoint Ornament - finishing Nov 19, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM More info Details Discover Connecticut's Revolutionary War Sites and the Preservation Movement that Saved Them Nov 12, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM More info Details Fall Harvest Festival - sponsored by BMW of Darien Oct 25, 2025, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM More info Details Poetry with Samantha: Phillis Wheatley Oct 22, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM More info Details Ken Burns new cinematic documentary: The American Revolution Exclusive CT Preview Oct 14, 2025, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM More info Details Night at the Museum...Celebrate America's 250th! Oct 10, 2025, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM More info Details Private tour of the Met's American Wing - the American Revolution Sep 30, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM More info Details Fall Scholars Lecture with Pulitzer Winner Alan Taylor: Joseph Plumb Martin - The Ordeals of a Continental Army Soldier Sep 18, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM More info Details Tory Hole Community Book Discussion: Adults Sep 10, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM More info Details Tory Hole Community Book Discussion: Kids & Families Sep 07, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM More info Details MH Little Historians Aug 07, 2025, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM More info Details Literary Lyrics with Samantha + Music by Parkway Ramblers: Dylan! Jul 31, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM More info Details Stephen Mather's Birthday -- fun in the National Parks! Jun 29, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM More info Details What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? A reading of Frederick Douglass with Samantha Jun 26, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM More info Details Field Trip to Sleepy Cat Farm, Greenwich - 2nd date by popular demand! Jun 18, 2025, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM More info Details Plein Air painting workshop with Lisa Thorén Jun 12, 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM More info Details Plein Air at the Mather Homestead June 8 to June 15 - please RSVP for lunch on June 10th! Jun 12, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM More info Details Field Trip to Sleepy Cat Farm, Greenwich Jun 12, 2025, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM More info Details Load More

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 STAFF Heather Raker Samantha Gault Kelly Dupont Cristi Mohr Samantha Gault Executive Director samanthagault@matherhomestead.org Samantha joined the Mather Homestead Foundation in 2020 as leader of the Homestead's Literary Series and became Executive Director in 2025. Samantha studied English, history, and French at Dartmouth College (B.A.) and Middlebury's Bread Loaf School of English (M.A), and she has held teaching and leadership roles at Greenwich Academy, The Dalton School, and New Canaan Country School. For Samantha's children, William (13) and Georgia (10), the Mather Homestead is a home away from home! Cristi Mohr Assistant Director cristimohr@matherhomestead.org Kelly Dupont Events & Operations kdupont@matherhomestead.org Gulay Philip Accounting General questions: info@matherhomestead.org , 203-202-7602

The Mather Homestead offers many opportunities for sponsorship. We are appreciative of your support and look forward to promoting your business! Sponsor payment may be made via check payable to "The Mather Homestead Foundation" or by credit card (link right). Please send checks to: The Mather Homestead Foundation, 19 Stephen Mather Road, Darien, CT, 06820 SUPPORT THE MATHER HOMESTEAD BY SPONSORING ONE OF OUR EVENTS! The Mather Homestead Foundation offers numerous sponsorship opportunities and gratefully acknowledges the support of businesses that contribute through financial and in-kind donations. We recognize our donors through various channels including events, social media, publicity, and on-site signage at the Homestead. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! SUMMER SOIRÉE 2025 The MH Summer Soirée on May 31, 2025 raised over $22,000 for Mather Homestead preservation projects thanks to Junior Board Chair Sally Houlihan, Event Chair Jessica Merrill, and the entire junior board! Plus, our generous sponsors! GARDEN TEA 2025 Our fifth annual Garden Tea featured Fred Landman, visionary for the remarkable Sleepy Cat Farm. Despite rain and cold, the event was a remarkable success and raised over $30,000 for beautification projects at the Homestead! Thank you to our sponsors and raffle donors, plus all that attended, for your generous support WOMEN + ARCHITECTURE SERIES 2025 Thank you to the many donors who supported our Women + Architecture series in honor of Bertha Mather McPherson, one of Connecticut's earliest female architects and a visionary preservationist. The series included lectures, book discussions, field trips, and an exhibit featuring the life and legacy of Bertha Mather McPherson. JUNIOR BOARD SUMMER SOLSTICE 2024 The Junior Board welcomed 140 guests for cocktails on the patio followed by dinner in the field prepared by Ardens. A magical night! FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL 2024 Our sixth annual Fall Harvest Festival welcomed families (~500 people) from Darien, New Canaan and surrounding towns to the Homestead for good old fashioned fun including a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, face painting, crafts, hay rides and more! GARDEN TEA 2024 The May 30, 2024 Garden Tea welcomed 150 women for tea, lunch and a conversation with Pieter Estersohn, author of Back to the Land , and local book PR guru Nancy Sheed. FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL 2023 Our fifth annual Fall Harvest Festival welcomed families (~500 people) from Darien, New Canaan and surrounding towns to the Homestead for good old fashioned fun including a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, face painting, crafts, fire truck rides and more! GARDEN TEA 2023 The June 1, 2023 Garden Tea welcomed over 130 women for tea, lunch and a presentation by Calvert Crary of NY/LA Flower School. APRÈS SKI 2023 Our second annual Après Ski event welcomed nearly 150 people for fun and fundraising. PLAYHOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT 2023 Our historic playhouse was enjoyed by generations of Mathers but was sadly in disrepair. Thanks to Dan Lamontagne of Creative Builders, Rings End and many other donors, the playhouse has been restored future generations of children who will come to learn and play. FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL - OCTOBER 22, 2022 We appreciate the financial support of Harbor Point Dental Group at our fourth Fall Harvest Festival. We also appreciate our in kind sponsors including Palmers Market , Stop & Shop , Stew Leonards and Cabana . Over 600 people from Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and other surrounding towns joined us for hay rides, a petting zoo, crafts, face painting, games, tours of the Homestead, pumpkin decorating, live music and more! To inquire about 2023, please email info@matherhomestead.org or call 203-202-7602. Thank you! STEPHEN MATHER AND THE NATIONAL PARKS EXHIBIT Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Our first exhibit welcomed hundreds of people to learn more about the life and legacy of Stephen Tyng Mather, the first Director of the National Park Service and owner of the Mather Homestead from 1906 to 1930. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS! Many thanks to the businesses who provide services pro bono in order to maintain the beautiful Mather Homestead buildings & grounds: Bartlett T ree Davis Tree & Logging .

Middlesex Parish 250 will host a year-long series of events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The initiative brings together local organizations—the Mather Homestead, the Museum of Darien, Historic Rowayton, the Darien Library, the Rowayton Library, Lockwood Mathews Mansion, the DAR, and the Darien Town Historian—to celebrate America’s founding and the shared Revolutionary War history of Darien and Rowayton, once united as Middlesex Parish. MIDDLESEX PARISH CELEBRATES AMERICA250 Beginning August 2025, Middlesex Parish 250 will host a year-long series of events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The initiative brings together local organizations—including the Mather Homestead, 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 Rowayton, once united as Middlesex Parish. Enjoy lectures, reenactments, exhibits, a self-guided tour, and family-friendly activities throughout the year. For details and the full schedule, visit www.middlesexparish250.org and follow us on Instagram @middlesexparish250. Questions? Email: middlesexparish250@gmail.com EVENTS AT THE HOMESTEAD Lecture featuring Kostya Kennedy: Paul Revere and the Ride that Saved America Wed, Jan 28 Darien More info Details Mixed Media Art with Lisa Thorén Thu, Jan 29 Mather barn More info Details The Art of American Independence: Beyond the Declaration Wed, Feb 11 Mather Barn More info Details America 250 Brown Bag Lunch with Eric Chandler Thu, Feb 26 Mather Barn More info Details Lecture featuring Cornelia Dayton: Snapshots of 18th & 19th Century American Women Thu, Mar 05 The Mather Homestead More info Details Revolutionary War Reenactment Sat, May 02 The Mather Homestead More info Details Middlesex Parish Open House Day! Sat, Jun 13 Middlesex Parish - 12 local sites More info RSVP Literary Evening: Washington Crossing the Delaware and the stories we’ve told since - in art, in poetry, and first hand Date and time is TBD Mather Homestead Barn More info Details More Middlesex 250 Events at middlesexparish250.org

Our lectures explore a variety of topics and a variety of formats. Some of our lectures are traditional lecture format, while others involve a bit of hands on learning (e.g., honey tasting). All Mather Homestead lectures, past and future, are listed here. LECTURES Our lectures explore a variety of topics and a variety of formats. Some of our lectures are traditional lecture format, while others involve a bit of hands on learning (e.g., honey tasting). We are eager to hear ideas you might have for lectures that would be a good fit with the Mather Homestead. Email us ! UPCOMING EVENTS Lecture featuring Kostya Kennedy: Paul Revere and the Ride that Saved America Jan 28, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Join 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. Details The Art of American Independence: Beyond the Declaration Feb 11, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ArtScapades 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 Details America 250 Brown Bag Lunch with Eric Chandler Feb 26, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eric 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. Details Lecture featuring Cornelia Dayton: Snapshots of 18th & 19th Century American Women Mar 05, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM We 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? Details Fall Scholars Series: Revolutionary Voices (3 events) Sept 18, Oct 14, Nov 12 Join us for three events celebrating America 250 on September 18, October 14 and November 12. Please consider supporting our educational programming by becoming a Patron of this Series. Patrons will receive a special gift and be recognized at events. Thank you! Buy Tickets Past Lectures

Annual gifts provide for the ongoing preservation and maintenance of The Mather Homestead and property, educational programming, tours and administrative expenses. Your gifts are much appreciated! See more information on the Challenge Grant and joining the Mather Homestead Society here. GIVE Celebrating our Past We celebrate our storied and unique history ... a home enjoyed by seven generations of Mathers, raided by Tories during the Revolutionary War, and later owned by Stephen Tyng Mather, the first Director of the National Park Service. Enriching our Present We enrich our community by "B ringing History to Life" for all ages through lectures, tours, book clubs, reenactments, family fun events, field trips, workshops, and more! Securing Our Future We are securing the future of Darien’s only Registered National Historic Landmark. As responsible stewards of the Mather Homestead, we are midway through a two-phase 1778 house restoration and preservation project. We need your help complete this work! The Mather Homestead Foundation relies on contributions from our Mather friends who recognize the importance of the Mather Homestead in our local and national history and are dedicated to the preservation of the 1778 home and surrounding seven acres of property as a place for historical education. We hope you will remain a dedicated supporter for years to come and appreciate all gifts. Donations support the following: Preservation, maintenance & restoration of the 1778 house, grounds and other buildings. Master planning projects to enhance our historic property and create a more visitor-friendly experience. Educational programming which "brings history to life" including lectures, tours, kids events and more. Continual research of artifacts in our collection to develop new exhibitions and programs. Oversight of the Mather Homestead Foundation. * Donors contributing $150 or more will automatically become members of the Mather Homestead. BENEFITS Please consider joining the Mather Homestead 1778 Society of donors giving $5,000 and above to the annual fund! The 1778 Society is a community of our most dedicated supporters who value the significance of preserving this R egistered National Historic Landmark and supporting our educational programs. In appreciation for their commitment and philanthropy, 1778 Society donors will be invited to special events and programs throughout the year. Please use form to make your gift via credit card. Alternatively, checks, made out to "The Mather Homestead Foundation" (please remember "Foundation"!) may be mailed to: The Mather Homestead Foundation PO Box 1054 Darien, Connecticut 06820 THANK YOU! The Mather Homestead Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Tax ID number 47-5555968. Your gift to the Mather Homestead is considered tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Planned Giving We encourage donors to consider the Mather Homestead in their estate plans in order to help secure the future of the Mather Homestead. We welcome planned gifts large and small and appreciate your consideration of this treasured historic landmark. For questions, please reach out to Heather Raker at 203-202-7602 or heatherraker@matherhomestead.org . Thank you to our 2024 Annual Fund Donors!

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. Our workshops give participants knowledge and hands-on experience with activities that would have been undertaken by Homesteaders. 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 Dates Vinyasa yoga with Mary Ann Nov 24, 2025, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Refresh 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. Buy Tickets Middle School Essay Contest! Dec 02, 2025, 5:00 PM Our 4th annual essay contest is open to middle schoolers (grades 5 to 8). Essays due Tuesday, Dec. 2 by 5 pm. Submit essay with name and grade to info@matherhomestead.org with "Essay Contest" in the subject line. Topic below. RSVP Multiple Dates Homesteading 101: Holiday Greenery - 5:30 and 7:30 pm workshops Dec 04, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Create 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 Buy Tickets Merry Mather: Celebrate the Season and our Staff! Dec 07, 2025, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM With 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! Details Poetry with Samantha Dec 18, 2025, 7:00 PM Cozy up at the Homestead with a night of winter poems and warm beverages! Celebrate the season with selections by Robert Frost, ee cummings, and more. RSVP Colonial Christmas with a Visit from St. Nicholas Dec 20, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Family Fun presented by the Junior Board. Crafts, cookie decorating, live music and a visit from St. Nick! Plus festive bevs & sweet treats. Buy Tickets A Conversation about Ken Burns' PBS Documentary Series: An American Revolution Jan 14, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Whether you watched a couple hours or all twelve, join us for a roundtable discussion! What did you learn? What did you love? What left you wanting ... more??! Come weigh in. All are welcome! RSVP Afternoon Tea Jan 23, 2026, 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 tbd. Buy Tickets American Girl Doll Parent Child Tea: Felicity Jan 24, 2026, 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. Bring your American Girl dolls! Buy Tickets Lecture featuring Kostya Kennedy: Paul Revere and the Ride that Saved America Jan 28, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Join 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. Details Mixed Media Art with Lisa Thorén Jan 29, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM In 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. Details The Art of American Independence: Beyond the Declaration Feb 11, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ArtScapades 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 Details America 250 Brown Bag Lunch with Eric Chandler Feb 26, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eric 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. Details Lecture featuring Cornelia Dayton: Snapshots of 18th & 19th Century American Women Mar 05, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM We 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? Details Revolutionary War Reenactment May 02, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM We will welcome the 5th Connecticut Regiment for a Revolutionary War Reenactment. Earlier in the day, the Museum of Darien will host the 5th Regiment for Fifth Ct Regiment for colonial cooking and artisan demonstrations. Details Middlesex Parish Open House Day! Jun 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Celebrate America 250 with Middlesex Parish! Local historic museums and Revolutionary War sites will be open for tours and fun on Connecticut's "Open House" Day. RSVP Literary Evening: Washington Crossing the Delaware and the stories we’ve told since - in art, in poetry, and first hand Date and time is TBD Join 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. Details Fall Scholars Series: Revolutionary Voices (3 events) Sept 18, Oct 14, Nov 12 Join us for three events celebrating America 250 on September 18, October 14 and November 12. Please consider supporting our educational programming by becoming a Patron of this Series. Patrons will receive a special gift and be recognized at events. Thank you! Buy Tickets Load More Past Workshops

The Mather Homestead Foundation relies on contributions from community members who are dedicated to the preservation of the Mather Homestead and its important and unique place in Darien's history. Donations support the following: Ongoing maintenance of the Mather Homestead and property, Educational programs, Public tours, and Oversight of the Mather Homestead. HELP US BRING HISTORY TO LIFE! The Mather Homestead Foundation relies on its generous supporters to fund the ongoing operations of the Homestead as well as special projects related to preservation and beautification. We also rely on our volunteers who generously offer their time - get involved! The Mather Homestead Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All gifts to the Mather Homestead are considered tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Annual Fund The Mather Homestead relies on annual contributions from our Mather friends who recognize the importance of the Mather Homestead in our local and national history and are dedicated to the preservation of the 1778 home and surrounding seven acres as a place for historical education. SUPPORT Membership When you become a member of the Homestead your support our mission and help us secure our future. Members enjoy discounted/free tickets to events and free private tours. SUPPORT 1778 Restoration Project In 2022, the Mather Homestead Foundation completed a "Condition Assessment" of the historic house and other buildings on the property. The resulting 152 page document concluded that while the ~250 year old house was well maintained by the Mather-McPherson family, there is still much work to be done to keep the house in shape with projects totaling $400 - $500K. SUPPORT Beautification The Mather Homestead property was originally 100 acres of farmland. The property now consists of seven acres, surrounded by Land Trust property which was also part of the Mather farm. In 2023, The Mather Homestead Foundation hired Heritage Landscapes to conduct a Cultural Landscape Report of the property. The report will provide a better understanding of the property, its history and usage, and inform a Master Plan for the future. The Mather-McPherson family has seeded a fund which will enable us to execute our Master Plan. Please consider a gift to help us plant and beautify the property! Our goal is to create a park like setting to be enjoyed by the community. SUPPORT Sponsor The Mather Homestead Foundation offers many opportunities for sponsorship and appreciates the support of our business sponsors who have contributed with financial and in kind donations. Donors are recognized in various ways - through our events, social media and publicity, and signage at the Homestead. SUPPORT Planned Giving We appreciate individuals who will consider the Mather Homestead in their giving plans through bequest, life insurance beneficiary or trust. Help us to secure the future of the Mather Homestead for another 250 years! SUPPORT Volunteer We welcome the help of volunteers and offer many wants to get involved - join us as a docent, lend us your green thumb, help us plan events ... and more! Thank you to our volunteers! VOLUNTEER T hank you to the McPherson Family The Mather Homestead Foundation thanks the McPherson family (descendants of the Mather Family) for their generous contribution of the Mather Homestead and its six acres of property in 2017, plus an additional acre of property in 2021, for the benefit of the Darien community. The family has maintained and preserved the Mather Homestead for over two and a half centuries. Now, future generations will enjoy the homestead and be educated about its important place in Darien's rich history. Thank you to the Chilton Family The Mather Homestead Foundation thanks the Chilton family whose generous contributions have made possible the creation of the Mather Homestead Foundation in 2017, the building of the Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center in 2020, the seeding of the new endowment in 2021 which will ensure the long time sustainability of the Mather Homestead, and the creation of the Stephen Tyng Mather exhibit in 2022. Thank you to The Darien Foundation The Darien Foundation proudly supports The Stephen Mather Foundation. "Whether a harvest festival for families or a scholarly lecture over tea in the garden, Mather caters to a range of ages and local constituencies, preserving the past and making history relevant to the future." - Sarah Woodberry, Executive Director, The Darien Foundation Thank you to our grantors We are grateful to CT Humanities, the 1772 Foundation & Preservation CT, Baywater Properties and the First County Bank Foundation for their generous support of the Mather Homestead. T hank you to our Lead Sponsors The Mather Homestead Foundation appreciates the support of Rings End, in kind donor to the 1778 House Restoration Project and BMW of Darien, lead sponsor of the Fall Harvest Festival. Many other sponsors have contributed to various events and projects and we are very grateful. Thank you to our Donors! The Mather Homestead Foundation appreciates the support of the 600 donors who have supported us since inception in 2017. We hope you will help us continue to "bring history to life!" 2024 supporters below.

KIDS PROGRAMS Bringing History to Life! UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KIDS Middle School Essay Contest! Dec 02, 2025, 5:00 PM Our 4th annual essay contest is open to middle schoolers (grades 5 to 8). Essays due Tuesday, Dec. 2 by 5 pm. Submit essay with name and grade to info@matherhomestead.org with "Essay Contest" in the subject line. Topic below. RSVP Colonial Christmas with a Visit from St. Nicholas Dec 20, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Family Fun presented by the Junior Board. Crafts, cookie decorating, live music and a visit from St. Nick! Plus festive bevs & sweet treats. Buy Tickets KIDS PROGRAMS In addition to kids and family events which happen throughout the year, including Fall Harvest Festival, Night at the Museum, Book Club with Samantha and more, we offer custom programs for group visits. Home School groups, Pre School Field Trips, Play Groups, Scout troops etc. - we will customize to the ages of your group, season, interests, etc. Call us to schedule! "Escape the Tories" The Mather Homestead during Revolutionary Times Kids will learn about the Revolutionary War, a time when Tories came across the Long Island Sound to raid homes in Darien, then Middlesex Parish. Includes: - Tour of the 1778 home - Scavenger Hunt or "Escape the Tories" (depending on age) - Craft our outdoor games "Colonial Living" The Sustainable/Homesteading lifestyle during Colonial Times Kids will learn about how people lived back in Colonial Times when Joseph and Sarah Mather built the Mather Homestead (1778) on 100 acres of farmland. Includes: - Visit to the Mather "keeping room" where Sarah Mather baked bread in the beehive oven for her 11 children. - Interactive presentation with workbook in the barn. - Homesteading stations: candle making, embroidery, butter making. - Dress up in the playhouse and Colonial games. "Become a Junior Ranger" The National Parks & Stephen Mather Kids will learn about the National Parks and Stephen Mather's important role in creating the National Park Service and the system of 63 parks that we enjoy today. They will earn a "Stephen Mather Junior Ranger Badge". Includes: - Interactive presentation about the National Parks with workbook - Fun games - Walk through Mather Meadows - Craft, e.g., leaf painting "Become a Junior Docent" We invite kids to learn an abbreviated tour of the house and then to lead others through the house! We will provid e you with tour materials and you invite your family/friends to tour. "Tea Party!" Kids will drink tea, nibble on scones and other goodies, and learn about etiquette, e.g., what to do with that pinkie finger! After tea, we'll do a craft and, play tea party games and read "How to Behave at a Tea Party". Tea party in the garden, weather permitting, or in the barn. All programs are $30/child, up to 20 children per visit. 1 1/2 hours. Mutually agreeable time. Please contact Cristi Mohr at cristimohr@matherhomestead.org to plan a group visit. Click here to test your knowledge at KIDS CORNER Past Kids Events