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Con Fuoco returned for a holiday performance. < Back Con Fuoco String Quartet - December 13, 2020 Con Fuoco returned for a holiday performance. Previous Next

England; last quarter 18th century. Mahogany, oak; 28 ⅜” h. x 29 ½” w. x 17 ¾” d. < Back Small Chippendale Dressing Table Second Floor - Guest Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings England; last quarter 18th century. Mahogany, oak; 28 ⅜” h. x 29 ½” w. x 17 ¾” d. A molded edge two-board top over small center drawer flanked by two small deep side drawers (6” sq.), brass bail pulls, a shaped skirt, tapered square legs. Condition is good. Previous Next

Samuel Sturgeon (working 1811-1835) Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1815-1825 Walnut, hard pine, brass movement, painted iron dial < Back Tall Case Clock First Floor - Keeping Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings Samuel Sturgeon (working 1811-1835) Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1815-1825 Walnut, hard pine, brass movement, painted iron dial The eight-day, striking clock movement is in a tall case with scrolled pediment bonnet. The imported whitepainted dial has a moon arch, seconds dial, elaborately painted spandrels that embody raised scrollwork, and raised beads around the chapter ring. Painted on the dial: Sam’l Sturgeon / Shippensburgh below date aperture. The waist has chamfered corners and a figured walnut door with scalloped top. The base stands on French bracket feet. Condition notes: The lower backboards of the clock case have been rebuilt. Previous Next

The Mather Homestead is not just a 1778 Revolutionary War house, it is a home that was lived in by six generations of Mather descendants over 2 1/2 centuries. The Mather Homestead tells stories of the Revolutionary War, about the life and legacy of Stephen Tyng Mather, first Director of the National Park Service, and it was the home for nearly 60 years of Bertha Mather McPherson, her husband and three children who donated the home to the Mather Homestead Foundation. ABOUT THE MATHER HOMESTEAD The Mather Homestead The Mather Homestead was built in 1778 and has been impeccably preserved over two and a half centuries. Read More Revolutionary War Times The Homestead was built in 1778 during the Revolutionary War as a safe house and raided by Tories in 1781. Read More The Mather Family The Mather family ancestry traces back to 17th century England Read More Stephen Tyng Mather (1867-1930) The most notable member of the Mather family, Stephen Tyng Mather, founded the National Park Service and served as its first director. Read More Bertha Mather McPherson (1906-1993) Bertha Mather McPherson was the only child of Stephen and Jane Mather. She owned the Homestead from 1930, following her father's death, until her death in 1993. Read More Mather Garden The Mather Homestead property originally consisted of 100 acres in 1778, which is what it took for a family to sustain itself. By 1906, when Stephen Tyng Mather acquired the property, it consisted of 22 acres. Stephen Mather hired Walter Burley Griffin, a renowned architect and landscape architect to create the sunken garden at the Homestead. Read More Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center 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. Read More Donn's Blogs Docent Donn Smith has been busy in the attic and has many stories to tell about the Homestead and its inhabitants Read More The Story of the Mather Homestead ... ... as told by Gordon Hastings Read More

We traveled to downtown NYC for a tour and lunch at Fraunces Tavern, a historical landmark and the oldest bar in the city. It was the watering hole for many of the founding fathers. George Washington gathered his troops there to thank them for their service after the British troops left America. < Back Fraunces Tavern, October 10, 2023 We traveled to downtown NYC for a tour and lunch at Fraunces Tavern, a historical landmark and the oldest bar in the city. It was the watering hole for many of the founding fathers. George Washington gathered his troops there to thank them for their service after the British troops left America. Previous Next

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! Past Homesteading 101 Workshops Holiday Wreath Making Wreath Making & Merriment! Photos Spring Flower Arranging - April 5, 2023 Flower arranging for Easter, Passover or just Spring! Thank you Maeve! Photos Cutting Garden 101: Cosmos & Zineas - March 8, 2023 Ania led a group through the basics of starting a cutting garden from seeds during the winter months, then planting in the spring for beautiful summer blooms. Photos Knitting 101 with Liz Zeist Adults and kids learned to knit guided by expert knitter and educator Liz Zeist. Photos Modern Patchwork Quilting with Denyse Schmidt - Feb. 1, 2023 We learned the art of hand-sewn improvisational patchwork quilting from quilt maker, fabric designer, and author Denyse Schmidt! Photos Holiday Greenery - Nov. 30, 2022 Another fun evening of creating holiday wreaths and centerpieces while sipping on holiday beverages! Photos Grow Along at Mather with Ania Janis - 4 classes Spring 2022 Create your own CUTTING GARDEN with help from local gardening enthusiast, Ania Janis. This four-session program provided all the tips, instructions, plans and supplies you need to create your own cutting garden at home. Session 1: Wed., Feb. 16, 7 - 8:30 pm: Intro and Cutting Garden Basics: Sweet Peas, Session 2: Wed., Feb. 23, 7 - 8:30 pm: Pinching & Watering: Snapdragons, Stock, Session 3: Wed., March 9, 7 - 8:30 pm: Succession Planting, Hardening Off: Zinnias, Cosmos & Phlox, Session 4: Wed., April 6, 7 - 8:30 pm: Direct Sowing, Planting Out: Poppies & Sunflowers All supplies included. Photos Colonial Breadmaking with Leah Jones - March 10, 2022 Leah Jones, pastry chef at Grace Farms and owner of Black Market Bread, led us in a colonial breadmaking workshop which involved baking AND tasting! First, Leah gave us a little history on bread and some information which helped us understand the "gluten free" craze a little better. Then we tasted various breads, baked by Leah, and drank wines chosen to pair with each bread. Finally, we made our own bread! Photos Valentine's Flower Arranging - February 10, 2022 25 women created gorgeous Valentines arrangement while enjoying rosé prosecco, bon bons by Carolyn's Absolutely Fabulous Events, and time with friends old and new. Image courtesy of Mary Wade, Leap Year Images Photos Holiday Greenery - December 1, 2021 Participants created their holiday wreath, garland or centerpiece using live greenery and other decorative elements. Mather flower arranging guru Maeve McGovern demonstrated greenery techniques and helped participants create their original creations while enjoying a cocktail and time with friends. Photos Embroidery with Heather Ross - July 28, 2021 Author and Textile Designer Heather Ross brought her love of all things hand-made and resourceful living to MH. Heather is passionate about teaching new uses for the creative arts and skills that even the earliest residents of Mather Homestead relied upon. During HAND EMBROIDERY FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN, Heather will helped workshoppers develop their own personalized embroidery design, and demonstrated simple ways to complete a very special project to take home. Heather Ross is an American illustrator, textile designer, and author. Much of her work explores themes of resourceful and creative living, the natural world, and handmade, drawing often on both her rural upbringing and an early career as a naturalist. She is known for her highly collectible textile designs and books written for the handmade and craft markets, and as the originator and host of a popular series of weekend craft retreats held around the country. Her critically acclaimed memoir, How To Catch a Frog, is based on her childhood and early success as an entrepreneur and designer. She has also illustrated numerous children’s books, including the award winning Fergus and Zeke series and the “Crafty Chloe” books, the latter a winner of the Kirkus Star, and is both author and illustrator BOYS, an Illustrated Field Guide. She is represented by Steven Malk of Writers House, and lives in New York City and the Catskill Mountains with her husband, daughter and dog. Photos Flowers and Fun - April 1, 2021 MH flower arranging guru led guests through the creation of unique and beautiful spring centerpieces. Photos

Tavern Food + Tavern Drink + Tavern History + Tavern Games = Tavern Fun! < Back An Evening at the Mather Tavern - Feb 16, 2023 Tavern Food + Tavern Drink + Tavern History + Tavern Games = Tavern Fun! Previous Next

SUPPORT THE MATHER HOMESTEAD AND WIN GREAT PRIZES! We invite you to support the Mat her Homestead's restoration projects by buying raffle tickets for great prizes! You do not need to be present at the event to win. Buy more tickets and m ore chances to win! P rize packages below. PAY VIA CC BELOW OR VENMO: @mather-homestead-foundation last 4 digits x9649 THANK YOU!

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!

Educator Samantha Gault led a discussion of the first book in Aaron Johnson's National Park Mystery Series: "Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park." Then the kids acted out the book! < Back Book Club for Kids! Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park - March 25, 2023 Educator Samantha Gault led a discussion of the first book in Aaron Johnson's National Park Mystery Series: "Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park." Then the kids acted out the book! Previous Next

Wool-on-Wool, Ferraghan, handmade; 6’ 4” x 13’ 7”. < Back Oriental Rug First Floor - Parlor Other Decorative Arts Wool-on-Wool, Ferraghan, handmade; 6’ 4” x 13’ 7”. Featuring a deep alternating border surrounding central design field in natural dyes of red and indigo, with flowerheads and herati motifs. Condition shows several areas of wear, including a 6” repaired tear in the center; circa first quarter 20th century. Previous Next

D.W. Kellogg and Co., Hartford, Connecticut, dated 1843. Lithograph on paper, watercolor, ink 12 ⅜" h. x 15" w. (sight), 17" h. x 22 ¼" w. (frame) < Back Hand-colored Memorial Print for Joseph and Sarah Mather Second Floor - SE Bedroom Other Decorative Arts D.W. Kellogg and Co., Hartford, Connecticut, dated 1843. Lithograph on paper, watercolor, ink 12 ⅜" h. x 15" w. (sight), 17" h. x 22 ¼" w. (frame) A large funeral urn in the center with a green willow tree in the rear ground, a grieving woman in black gown at the right. Multicolored painted flowers and foreground. In ink LC: Joseph Mather who died / Feb 29th 1840 / Aged 86 years 7 months / And of / Sarah Mather his wife / who died Aug 27th 1840 / Aged 85 years 6 months. Front of memorial pedestal printed: TO THE / MEMORY / OF Condition note: Matte that should be replaced by acid-free matte. Previous Next