NC/TN Border < Back Great Smoky Mountains NC/TN Border 1934 Established: Size: 522,419 acres Visitors: 14,137,812 in 2020 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

England, 1750-1780. Walnut, mirrored glass; pine; 32 ¾" h. x 16 ½" w. < Back Looking Glass Second Floor - SW Bedroom Other Decorative Arts England, 1750-1780. Walnut, mirrored glass; pine; 32 ¾" h. x 16 ½" w. Rectangular with a scalloped crest, the central pierced roundel containing a gilded foliate motif. Walnut crossbanding veneer with a carved and parcel gilt inner edge surrounds the glass. Previous Next

Watercolor on ivory; 3 ⅛” h. and 2 ⅝” h., (respectively). < Back Two Oval Painted Portrait Miniatures of Young Couple, on Ivory Second Floor - Guest Room Other Decorative Arts Watercolor on ivory; 3 ⅛” h. and 2 ⅝” h., (respectively). A blue-eyed young woman in side curls, coral necklace, and white lace bonnet, and a young gentleman in black waistcoat and cravat; circa 1830-1840. Framed in black painted, cove-molded frames. Condition is good. Previous Next

Cherry, chestnut; 43 ½" h. x 44" w. x 18 ⅝" d.; New England, circa early 19th century. < Back Lidded Blanket Chest Over Two Drawers Attic Furniture and Hard Furnishings Cherry, chestnut; 43 ½" h. x 44" w. x 18 ⅝" d.; New England, circa early 19th century. Replaced lid hinges and 1890s brasses. Previous Next

7 ¼” h. x 5 ⅛” w. Framed and glazed. < Back Framed 1824 Needlework Bible Cover, Wool-on-Linen Second Floor - NE Bedroom and Hallway Furniture and Hard Furnishings 7 ¼” h. x 5 ⅛” w. Framed and glazed. Polychrome work in flame stitch bargello needlework; center section with signature in black yarn: Margaret W Henderson’s / Bible <> 1824. Condition is fair given age and use; cleaning and conservation should be considered. Previous Next

In this year of national celebration, you helped us keep The Mather Homestead alive with learning for another 250 years! THANK YOU. Thanks to your generosity we raised $75,325 in this $250 for 250 campaign. Every gift made a difference. Anne and Peter Ardery Kathryn Baruch Adria Bates Suzy Beatty Elizabeth Bennett Mark and Deborah Blackman Karen Boccadoro Jane and John Branigan Susan Brewer Eileen Butler Julie Callery Lou Converse Marian Cope Amy Cholnoky Simon Darnell Suzanne Domenici Heather Drugge Kelly and Doug Dupont The Esmond Family Ryan Fleenor Tripp Freeman, Carlson and Carlson Joanna Garrett Judy Garvin Samantha Gault Joellyn Gray Kristina Grimshaw Lisa and Jonathan Haas Florence and Steve Heubeck Julie and Todd Halloran Sally Houlihan Eliot and Philip Jacobs Ania Janis Rich Agresta and Joan O'Connell Eric Jokinen Bill and Betsy Jones Aynsley and Sean Joyce Patricia Kelley Courtney Kelly Kate and Matthew Kelly Kathleen Kenyon Robert Koch The Kramer Family Carrie Kurtz Kim and Warren Lane Laura Lane Chris Halabi and Karen Langelier Kelly Lesko Harry McLachlin Ruth and Steven Messina Mia Mihopoulos David Miller Sage Minella Allison Molkenthin Ginger and Howard Morgan Jessica and Robert Murphy Debbie Murray Jane Nickerson Sarah Nickerson Melissa Noonan Jonathan Olmsted Stephen and Enid Oresman Anne Pankowski Mary Park Rob Perkin Karen Perry Frank Persico Karen Kreitzberger and David Polett Charles and Ellen Powis Heather Raker Penny Rashin Jan Raymond Beatrice Repking John Rigo Michelle Riley Mary and Bill Rooney Ryan Salvatore, Ryan Salvatore Architects Sue Scannell Everett and Sally Schenk Karla Schimmeck Maria and Paul Selian Christine Selph Rhonda Sherwood Alexander Shriver Tamsin Sickinger Tim Smith and Kelly Costigan Chelsea and Jud Staniar Jayme Stevenson Kelly Stewart Heather Stricker Lisa Stuelpnagel Charlotte and John Suhler Lisa Thoren Anne Tracy Theresa Van de Graaf Tiffany and Brian Van Elslander Terry Vanderheyden Alison von Klemperer Cathy Wappler Wendell Willkie Sarah Woodberry Robin and Dick Woods Carrie Wysocki If you would still like to make a donation, checks can be made out to Mather Homestead Foundation and mailed to PO Box 1054, Darien, CT 06820. One time One time Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly Amount $25 $25 $250 $250 $2,500 $2,500 0/100 Comment (optional) Give $25

MH Events 2022 Tickets to events 2021 events American Poetry with Samantha Gault: Inaugural Poems Weds., Jan 19, 7 pm, parlor, $20/$15 members Read More Book Club: "The Cause" by Joseph Ellis Thurs., Jan 20, 7 pm, parlor, free Read More Scholars Lecture featuring Thomas Wickman: "Winter's Past and Winter's Future" Weds., Jan 26, 7 pm, Barn, $25/15 members Read More Paint and Sip with Lisa Thoren Thurs., Feb 3, 7 pm, Barn, $50 Read More Valentines Flower Arranging Thurs.,, Feb. 10, 7 pm Read More Music at Mather featuring Nick Depuy Sat., Feb 12, 4 pm KIDS, 6:30 pm ADULTS, Barn, $10 kids, $35 adult concert Read More American Poetry with Samantha Gault Weds., Feb. 16, 7 pm Read More Grow Along - create your own cutting garden Weds., Feb 15, 23, March 9, 30 Read More Book Club: The Scarlet Letter Weds., March 2, 7 pm Read More SEE MORE EVENTS

Dated LC: 1797; framed and glazed; 6 ½” h. x 4 ½” w. (sight size). < Back Framed 1797 Needlework, Silk-on Linen Second Floor - SE Bedroom Other Decorative Arts Dated LC: 1797; framed and glazed; 6 ½” h. x 4 ½” w. (sight size). Vine decoration across the top, under which is a nine-line verse (in part): Lord of this lower/ World the creatures/ All to him….. God did him once/ Condemn has neither/ Master of himself/ Or them. Condition is good; acid-free framing materials should be utilized. Previous Next

7 ⅝” h. x 5 ¾” w. x 3 ⅜” d.; late 18th century. Containing an 18 kt. yellow gold Jules Jürgensen/Copenhagen pocket watch. < Back Watch Hutch with Yellow Gold Jules Jürgensen Pocket Watch Second Floor - Guest Room Other Decorative Arts 7 ⅝” h. x 5 ¾” w. x 3 ⅜” d.; late 18th century. Containing an 18 kt. yellow gold Jules Jürgensen/Copenhagen pocket watch. Cube-form pine box with a tombstone-shaped door and small glazed windows each side; wire hinges on door, carved latch. Watch is stamped: 13453 with patent mark: Patent 1867 January 15, along with maker’s crown/ JJ mark and K/ 18 mark. Condition of watch is very good; working condition is unknown. Previous Next

< Back Playhouse Previous Next

Back in the 18th century, some things were the same (three meals a day, sleeping and playing), but some things were VERY different! The family operated a farm and everyone had to help. They got up really early in the morning to do chores - like milking the cows and collecting the eggs. If kids were lucky, they went to school. They had toys, but definitely no video games - have you seen jumping jacks? the ball and cup? and marbles? KIDS AT MATHER The Mather Homestead Foundation is dedicated to bringing history to life for kids of all ages through various programs. Click on "more" for more info. Tours Tours of the house are customized for kids to be interactive and fun. Learn about Revolutionary War History and Stephen Mather, the first Director of the National Park Service. We are happy to follow up the tour with a scavenger hunt which will lead kids around the property in search of silver! By appointment. 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 provide you with tour materials and you invite your family/friends to tour. Events for kids We have many events geared towards educating kids while having fun. Events include kids book club, Night at the Museum, Fall Harvest Festival and more. MORE Visit the Homestead for a customized program We offer programs for kids which can be scheduled at any time. Great for homeschool groups, play groups, scouts, etc. MORE Teen Board The Mather Homestead teen board, now in its second year, offers high schoolers (grades 9 to 12) an opportunity to both contribute to and learn from this treasured National Historic Landmark. MORE Essay Contest The Teen Board will chose an essay topic each fall with November deadline for submissions. Open to middle schoolers. MORE UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KIDS Election Day Camp for Young Creators, K-5 Nov 03, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Spend the day creating art inspired by the original WPA National Parks posters. Children will go home with four gorgeous projects as well as a little knowledge about our National Parks, the WPA, and how The Mather Homestead is part of the National Parks story. For students in grades K-5. Buy Tickets

Alamosa, CO < Back Great Sand Dunes Alamosa, CO 2004 Established: Size: 149,028 acres Visitors: 527,546 in 2029 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next