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Our literary series is led by Samantha Gault, a seasoned educator who brings American literature to life! Our discussions include "book club" discussions of historical fiction and non-fiction, poetry discussions, and other discussions of literature. These discussions include events for both adults and kids. Samantha makes learning fun and accessible for all. UPCOMING LITERARY EVENTS BOOK CLUB, POETRY & MORE 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 Our literary series is led by Samantha Gault, a seasoned educator who brings American literature to life! Our lively discussions include "book club" discussions of historical fiction and non-fiction, poetry discussions, and other discussions of literature. And our discussions include events for both adults and kids. Samantha makes learning fun and accessible for all. JOIN US! And please consider purchasing from our friends at Barrett Bookstore or Elm Street books - buy local! Do you have a book/topic to recommend? Email us! About Samantha Gault A career educator, Samantha taught high school English at Greenwich Academy for eight years and at The Dalton School for five. She currently teaches ninth grade English at New Canaan Country School. She holds a Bachelor's in English from Dartmouth College and a Master's in English from Middlebury, with a specialty in poetry and American and modern literature. Samantha and her family live in Darien.

In 2023, The Mather Homestead Foundation hired Heritage Landscapes to conduct a Cultural Landscape Report of the property. The report provides a better understanding of the property, its history and usage, and informs a Master Plan for the future which will provide for a better visitor experience and enable the property to better tell the stories of the six generations of Mathers. More to come soon as we unveil the exciting plan! MATHER HOMESTEAD PROPERTY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT Artwork by Elizabeth Agresta. MATHER HOMESTEAD 2024 MASTER PLANNING PROJECT In 2023, The Mather Homestead Foundation hired Heritage Landscapes to conduct a Cultural Landscape Report of the property. The report provides a better understanding of the property, its history and usage, and informs a Master Plan for the future which will provide for a better visitor experience and enable the property to better tell the stories of the six generations of Mathers. More to come soon as we unveil the exciting plan! At the end of 2021, the McPherson family (Mather descendants) gifted an additional five acres of land, ensuring the preservation of the beautiful meadow bordering the North side of the Homestead property. This land is now owned and cared for by the Mather Homestead Foundation (1.1 acres) and the Darien Land Trust (3.8 acres). This generous contribution further enhances the beautiful "four corners" of Darien, which already included the 10-acre "Mather Meadows" on the Southern corners, acquired but the Land Trust in 2003, and the Mather Homestead six-acre property on the Northwest corner, donated by the McPherson family to the Mather Homestead Foundation in 2017. In total, these four corners now include 21 acres of property to be preserved in perpetuity. 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. Donate to Property Enhancement Project Donate via Check In 2021, we removed several mature trees, including the huge holly trees ( 1 1/2 times the height of the house!) which obscured the North side of the Mather Homestead and "Big Ben," a dangerously large evergreen on the which threatened the East side of the house. We then replanted these gardens. In addition, we added plants behind the barn to obscure the electric box, propane tank and AC units. We selected non-invasive plants, many of which are already represented in the Mather Homestead gardens as planted by Bertha Mather. Thank you to the donors who helped us to bring this project to life! MATHER HOMESTEAD 2021 BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT Thank you to our donors! Amy and John Cholnoky Meredith and Banks Edwards Bet sy and Bill Jones Brandi and Anthony Maniscalco Jane and Bill Nickerson Heather and Todd Raker Michelle and Rich Riley Tiffany and Brian Van Elslander Cathy and Bill Wappler then now Thank you Bartlett Tree Experts for caring for our trees!

The Mather Homestead is open for tours by appointment. Tours of the beautifully preserved 1778 home and property focus on the home's Revolutionary War history, and the impact of the six generations of the Mather family, including Stephen Tyng Mather, first Director of the National Park Service, and his daughter, Bertha Mather McPherson, one of Connecticut's earliest female architects and a visionary preservationist. VISIT THE HOMESTEAD Events We have a robust schedule of events, most of which take place in the Elizabeth W. Chilton Center ("the barn"). We hope to see you! UPCOMING EVENTS Tours We offer tours for individuals, families, groups and more! We are open by appointment Tuesday - Thursday 11 to 3, or by appointment when docents are available. For tours outside of regular hours please email info@matherhomestead.org. SCHEDULE A TOUR Location The Mather Homestead is located at 19 Stephen Mather Road on the corner of Brookside and Stephen Mather Roads in Darien, Connecticut, just on the border of New Canaan and Norwalk. The Mather Homestead is located in a residential neighborhood - please be respectful of our neighbors! Parking on the road is not allowed and neighborhood speed limits are 25 mph.

The Mather Homestead will produce a video - The Mather Family: An American Legacy which tells the compelling story of the Mather family juxtaposed against the dynamic timeline of American and Connecticut history, illustrating how individuals and ideas can shape a nation. THE MATHER LEGACY: AN AMERICAN STORY The Mather Homestead Foundation will produce a 15-minute film chronicling the 400-year legacy of the Mather family to coincide with America’s 250th celebration. The Mather Legacy: An American Story tells the compelling story of the Mather family juxtaposed against the dynamic timeline of American and Connecticut history, bringing to life how individuals and ideas can shape a nation. Gives viewers a personal passport into our nation's & our state's amazing past. Will serve as an essential educational tool for Connecticut American history classes in the 8th and 11 grades - with an accompanying on-line teacher’s guide and curriculum. And also will be made available to all the Connecticut libraries and history museums. CBS News’ Scott Pelley will be the narrator. Will be premiered in late June 2026 at the Darien Public Library. Let’s Make History Together! Please give. HELP US MAKE HISTORY!

The Mather Homestead's 1778 Restoration Project will ensure that the Mather Homestead is preserved for generations to come. HELP US PRESERVE/RESTORE THE 1778 MATHER HOMESTEAD The Mather Homestead Foundation received a grant from the Connecticut State History Preservation Office in 2022 to conduct a "Condition Assessment" of the historic house and other buildings on the property to evaluate their structural condition and recommend repairs and assign associated costs. The Foundation hired Rose Long and Carl Rothbart of Architectural Preservation Studios of New Canaan to complete the project. 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 ~$500K. Phase One is nearly completed including: Replace deteriorated storms, select siding, trim, windowsill & cornices Repair windows Repoint all open joints, chimney mortar joints; recaulk where necessary Paint outside of house Remove existing lift and rebuild original stair for second egress Remove and replace kitchen floor (asbestos) Thank you to those who contributed to Phase One including the 1772 Foundation/Preservation CT, First County Bank Foundation, Baywater Properties, and over 70 other individual donors listed below . Phase Two will enable us to preserve our collection historic documents, art, textiles, books and furniture and includes: AC installation throughout the 1778 house, Preserving/restoring the most valuable and vulnerable items in the Mather Homestead collection. Thank you to the Darien Foundation for funding this important preservation work!! Phase Three New Roof for house and cottage New fence to replace rotting fence. We are currently fundraising for phase 3 and appreciative of all support GIVE to the 1778 House Renovation Phase Two: Preservation of the Collection Thank you to our donors! Alice and Sherman Baldwin Susan and Michael Barr Lois and Robert Baylis Suzanne Beatty and Sandor Babos Deborah and Mark Blackman Diane and Dave Boston Cathy and Jack Butcher Gina and Doug Cannaliato Connie and Mike Casey Jordan and Larry Castellani Megan and Rob Cioffi Sophie and Keith Davey Mary Jo and Rob Dyer Alex and Robert Eising Liz and Chris Ezbiansky Chris Filmer Lynne and Mark Florian Rob and Margaret Fryer Millyn and Eric Gaaserud Michele Gartland Carol and Ward Glassmeyer Edward Glassmeyer Jennifer Gordon Candace and Mike Grant Kirsten and Mike Gregorio Joellyn and Kevin Gray Sara Hesli Gary and Margaret Holmes Sally and Pat Houlihan Eliot and Phil Jacobs Karyne Johnson Jane Kellogg Karen Kreitzberger and David Polett Kate and Steve Larson Jennifer Mathissen Tina and Richard McCann Allan McDonnell Harry and Marjolein McLachlin Sheila McMann Tracy and Sean McManus Catherine and John McNear Brooke Megrue Ginger and Howard Morgan Liz and Greg Myers Tasha and Christian Nagler Jane and Bill Nickerson Laurie and John Orem Lesley and John Osborne Ryann and Hutch Pegler Robert Perkin Frank Persico Heather and Todd Raker Penny and Daniel Rashin Michelle and Rich Riley Lisa and Mike Rintoul Mary and Bill Rooney Megan and Chris Ruppenstein Lauren and Doug Ryder Asma Samadani and Doug Mehagian Sally and Everett Schenk Mary Lou Schwemle Michael Sgroe John and Michelle Sini Margaret and Dan Smith Kelly Stewart Katharine and Dennis Swanson Lauren and Harris Swenson Charlotte and Andrew Symons Colleen and Jon Thompson Tiffany and Brian Van Elslander Amy and Rob Walton Cathy and William Wappler Lisa Washburn Sue and Bob Weaver Terrie and Jay Wood Robin and Dick Woods Annie Roberts and Charles Ziga

When you become a member of the Mather Homestead you support our mission and help to secure our future. Benefits include: Discounted/free tickets to events, Reduced rate for usage of the Homestead for private events, Free private tours. MEMBERSHIP 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. $150 Family Membership $100 Individual Membership Membership Benefits include: Invitations to free member-only events, like our June family ice cream social and December Merry Mather celebration party, Discounts on Mather Homestead events, Free tours for you, family and friends, 10% off in our (new!) gift shop. Membership to NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum Association), offering free entry to over 1,400 museums*, We hope you will consider an increased level of support in order to support the work of the Mather Homestead which includes: Preservation, maintenance & restoration of the 1778 house, seven acre property and collection of antiques, papers, books, portraits, textiles and more. Educational programming which "brings history to life" including lectures, tours, kids events and more. Payments via check: Please send payments to "The Mather Homestead Foundation" to PO Box 1054, Darien, CT 06820. Please notate "membership" in memo.

Probably Massachusetts, 1760-1790. Birch, maple, rush slip-seat; 31 ¼” h. x 27” w. x 25” d. < Back Corner Chair First Floor - Keeping Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings Probably Massachusetts, 1760-1790. Birch, maple, rush slip-seat; 31 ¼” h. x 27” w. x 25” d. An arm bow with shaped arms and circular handholds has a molded crestrail in back over a woven rush slip seat, two ‘owl’s eye’ splats, double ogee-shaped front seat rails; carved Spanish front foot, others baluster-turned ending in turned ball feet, joined by box stretchers; Left foot (facing chair) is a replacement, otherwise good condition. Previous Next

Lone Pine, CA < Back Death Valley Lone Pine, CA 1994 Established: Size: 3,422,024 acres Visitors: 1,128,862 in 2022 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

1) Green-painted (Boston-type) Sheraton rocking chair; 21” h. x 12” w. 2) Black-painted, solid crest with one slat, caned seat; 8 ½” h. x 10 ½” w. 3) Wooden baby cradle, solid form; 15” h. x 35” w. < Back Two Child Chairs and Rocking Baby Cradle Attic Furniture and Hard Furnishings 1) Green-painted (Boston-type) Sheraton rocking chair; 21” h. x 12” w. 2) Black-painted, solid crest with one slat, caned seat; 8 ½” h. x 10 ½” w. 3) Wooden baby cradle, solid form; 15” h. x 35” w. 1) Solid crest rail and seat, turned spindles, legs; paint decoration a later addition as restoration. 3) stripped of earlier paint. Both chairs dating to first quarter 19th century, cradle may be somewhat earlier; condition is good given age and use. Previous Next

Hawaii County, HI < Back Hawaii Volcanoes Hawaii County, HI 1916 Established: Size: 344,812 acres Visitors: 1,620,294 in 2023 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

The Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center was completed in 2020 in order to provide a space for public education and enjoyment at the Mather Homestead thanks to the generosity of the Chilton family and many other donors.

Honey tasting with the Queen Bee < Back Queen Bee Marina Marchese - April 28, 2022 Honey tasting with the Queen Bee Previous Next