Family Games night featuring National Parks Bingo & Trivia! Plus ghosts at the Homestead (in the graveyard!) to end the night!! < Back Family Games Night - April 21, 2023 Family Games night featuring National Parks Bingo & Trivia! Plus ghosts at the Homestead (in the graveyard!) to end the night!! Previous Next

Outdoor fun during covid. < Back Sips & S'mores - February 6, 2021 Outdoor fun during covid. Previous Next

PLEIN AIR ARTISTS Thank you to the many artists who spent time on the Mather Homestead Property during June, 2020-23. Artwork below is currently on display in the Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center, a.k.a., the Barn. Ginny Awn "I have a lifelong experience in art and design, including sculpture, drawing and interior design. I began painting about three years ago when I realized how much I missed color. And plein air painting is my favorite when the weather cooperates. Although it can be challenging, I love being out in nature as much as possible, and painting outdoors can be very meditative as well." Elizabeth Agresta Elizabeth is a third generation artist, carrying on a family legacy in the creative arts, which includes: kimono design, Japanese ceramics, culinary arts, photography, writing, and poetry.  Elizabeth studied painting, print-making, and exploratory mixed media at Silvermine Art. She currently works out of her studio in Cos Cob and is the leading member of the Fairfield County Plein Air Painters, an active member of the New York Society of Women Artists, the Federation of Canadian Artists, and has served on the board of the Loft Artists Association. Donna Atkins "I have been painting for more than 30 years, working mainly in watercolor and photography, but have become increasingly fond of pastels, pencils and acrylics for their flexibility and diversity. My time is spent in and around Wilton, CT in the summer, painting with the Fairfield County Plein Air painters, but live in Venice, FL in the winter where I paint and spent time with my husband at the beaches and playing golf. Donna atkins playhouse Donna atkins well Donna atkins playhouse 1/2 Nancy Cannon A long-time interest in sketch and drawing has lead me to pick up painting in recent years. I am fascinated with all aspects of color, light, and 2-dimensional art. My goal is to represent and re-create a beautiful and memorable scene. I experiment with paint, including oil, acrylic and watercolor. Having worked with talented artists/instructors in Fairfield County area, I am grateful and hope to further develop my own skill and style. Painting with Fairfield County Plein Air Painters has given me added inspiration and opportunity to paint from life and nature. Nancy Cannon3 Nancy Cannon2 Nancy Cannon1 Nancy Cannon3 1/3 Diana Mikkidou Galik Darien resident. Architect/Interior Designer. Enjoys gardening and taking classes at Silvermine Arts Center. Diana Galik front of houes and barn oil. Diana Galik house barn and tree oil Diana Galik well oil Diana Galik front of houes and barn oil. 1/3 Betsy Higgins Elizabeth Higgins was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1960. As a Helena Rubenstein Award recipient, Higgins earned her MFA from Parsons School of Design, where she studied with Leland Bell, Paul Resika, Albert Kresch and Robert deNiro,Sr. Prior to coming to New York in 1983, Higgins received her BFA from Queen’s University, Canada, where she studied painting and printmaking with JC Heywood, Ralph Allen and David Andrew. Higgins’ solo shows include the Prince Street Gallery, New York, The Argazzi Gallery, Lakeville, CT and the Nancy Poole Studio, Toronto, Canada. She has also exhibited in group shows at the Ingber Gallery, New York, the Mangel Gallery, Philadelphia, the Addison/Ripley Fine Art gallery, Washington, DC, the ART/PLACE gallery, Fairfield CT, and the Carriage Barn Arts Center, New Canaan, CT. MORE IMG_1066 IMG_1063 IMG_1064 IMG_1066 1/3 Peter Kinseley coming soon Trudie Larrabee Trudie graduated from Williams College with a degree in Art History, preparing her for a lifetime appreciation of the artistic experience. As the muse, wife and business partner of the acclaimed photographer Ben Larrabee for over 30 years, she’s honed her creative abilities and developed a point of view that she expresses thru the iPhone. Werner Liepolt My career as a painter is short. So is my statement. I respond to what’s happening and how it affects me. Both of my submissions reflect my mood and my relationship to Long Island Sound. My interests are grow from travel and staying put… the soil, trees, the sea and our relation to them… so whether I, painting a still life or a plein air landscape, whether I’m working oil water color, pastels, or oil, my goal is to capture fleeting beauty and communicate it. In addition to a life devoted to teaching, I have written several Off-Broadway play and scripts for movies, developed computer software, rescued numerous dogs, and enjoyed to exploits of the members of my family. Rob Lokody ARTIST STATEMENT: “I prefer discovery over manipulation. To me, this way-of-seeing is especially expressive in Photography. While my other artistic pursuits often require measured constructs and conceits, the spontaneity of Photography lightens and liberates.” BIOGRAPHY: ReBeL remembers rambling around Mather Homestead as a boy, when Four Seasons Farm grew crops in the surrounding fields and horses grazed in the tall grass. ReBeL received his first photographic assignment in 1982, when an architectural firm hired him to capture iconic buildings such as New York’s Chrysler Building, World Trade Center, Morgan Library and Boston’s Prudential Center. As an international Creative Director, ReBeL produced work for such global icons as British Airways, Canon Cameras, Nokia, De Beers, Toyota and Dove Chocolates, among many others. ReBeL also directed several noteworthy commercials in Europe. As a Photographer, ReBeL has exhibited in both regional and national exhibitions. A one-man-show (postponed due to the pandemic) will be rescheduled in Budapest at the former Moroccan Embassy. Beyond Photography, ReBeL is an Author, Traveler (two dozen countries on six continents) and ardent nature lover. ReBeL rebels by respectfully serving the community and peacefully cultivating God’s garden. Catherine Leitao I have always loved art. The beautiful and the sublime captured my interest at a young age and still motivate me. Over the past fifteen years, I have been immersed in art both as a studio art student and as a museum educator. I struggle to balance these two interests but am grateful to have that challenge. As an independent museum educator, I have developed and led a wide-range of programs working with fine art in museum galleries and classrooms. I have especially enjoyed the opportunity to interact with underserved museum audiences. I am looking for opportunities to continue working in museum galleries and classrooms in the Mountain West. In the studio, I have focused primarily on the human figure. I have enjoyed learning to draw and paint in classical realist tradition in programs in Florence and New York. I am expecting to work more on landscapes now that I live in the foothills of Utah’s Wasatch Front. Working in university museums, I have also had the opportunity to incorporate art history into my museum education and studio art work. My interest in art history and my travels to many of the finest museums, churches and cities in the history of Western art have also led me to study how Christian art reflects the theology and traditions of the Catholic Church. I have enjoyed developing and presenting a series of lectures on Encountering Mary in Art. Domenick Maldari Domenick Maldari was born in Giovinazzo, Province of Bari, Italy in1948. He emigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina and then lived in New York City from 1961 until until 2017 when he moved to Norwalk, Connecticut. Maldari is mostly self taught. He works predominantly in the medium of painting, however, he has also created works in ceramics, and enjoys carving bone, wood and low relief on slate. While he focuses principally on watercolor, he also enjoys painting in oil, as well as drawing in pencil and pen/ink. Maldari is foremost a craftsman interested in the uniquely human ability to use one's physical and intellectual capacity for artistic expression using inspiration from nature and our surroundings. He learned how to draw and paint at an early age under the direction and guidance of his father. He graduated from the High School of Art and Design in New York City, and later matriculated to Bronx Community College. MORE Domenick Maldari playhouse Domenick Maldari neighbors Domenick Maldari playhouse 1/2 Dave Miller Dave Miller has enjoyed photography as a means to connect with, and chronicle, our community and our heritage. Ginger Morgan Ginger Morgan has lived in Darien for over a quarter of a century and enjoyed the many beautiful gardens and parks in town. She finds photography enables her to take a deep look into the flowers and fauna around Darien. Additionally Ginger enjoys expressing her art in floral design and gardening. Ginger Morgan IMG_8048 Ginger Morgan IMG_8007 Ginger Morgan IMG_8044 Ginger Morgan IMG_8048 1/5 Jan Raymond Jan Raymond is a Connecticut artist who’s primary interest is in how color can be used to delineate objects. She has exhibited in various juried shows including; Art of the Northeast, Washington & Jefferson University’s American Artists Show, New Haven Paint and Clay and The Faber Birren Color show where she won the color award. She has exhibited in group shows at the Stamford Museum, The State University of New York, Purchase, and The Connecticut Gallery. She has had solo shows at the Pindar Gallery (NYC), Portfolio Gallery (Stamford, CT) and Merkin Hall (NYC). She is an exhibiting member of The Rowayton Art Center. Her work is in numerous corporate and private collections. Jan studied and Syracuse University, Parsons Institute and was a student of the late Abstract Expressionist Theodore Stamos. Eunice Roy Born and educated in Scotland, Eunice Roy found her way to Rowayton some thirty-eight years ago after many years of residence in Europe. A lifelong interest in the arts has taken her to galleries and museums throughout Europe, North America and the Middle East. A long break from the easel to focus on writing and handicrafts, not to mention family and business commitments, followed early training with the Scottish painter, William B Taylor. Over fifteen years ago with the encouragement of noted pastelist, Margaret Dyer, and the support of many friends in the arts community, Eunice returned to painting and drawing. In search of new opportunities for learning, she spent many years and many happy hours in the studio of the Pastel Society of America in New York under the guidance of former PSA President, Barbara Fishman, and more recently, PSA Education Director, Maceo Mitchell. MORE Eunice Roy 8x10 bench Eunice Roy 10x12 playhouse Eunice Roy 8x10 well Eunice Roy 8x10 bench 1/3 Patricia Shean Many moons ago Patricia worked as the student photographer for her undergraduate college. Following several career changes, Patricia moved to Darien with her husband, David, and two wonderful daughters. She returned to the visual arts to study digital photography, then pursued drawing, watercolor and oil painting at The Silvermine School of Art, the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and The Florence Academy of Art. She is grateful for the opportunities to have studied with many talented instructor artists, especially Justin Weist, Dean Fisher, Josephine Robinson, Jesus Villarreal and Igor Naskalov. A524742F-5FCA-4A42-B27A-A31D4BBA7E99_1_105_c C4356A44-E7B0-4AAB-BDF6-6B55321DBDD1_1_105_c Patricia Shean 5 A524742F-5FCA-4A42-B27A-A31D4BBA7E99_1_105_c 1/16 Lisa Thoren Lisa Thorén is an award-winning mixed-media artist. She began her career studying printmaking in Florence, Italy, and earned her BFA from Parsons School of Design. Lisa was an art director at Travel + Leisure Magazine, a creative director in advertising, and board president of the Darien Arts Center in Darien, Connecticut. Lisa was accepted into the Silvermine Guild after being juried into the 65th Annual Art of the Northeast Show at Silvermine Arts Center in 2015. She has participated in the Parsons School of Design alumni shows and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Fabir Birren Color Award. Lisa has exhibited as a solo artist in galleries in Connecticut. Her art hangs in the permanent collections of the Greenwich Library, the Darien Nature Center, and the Stanford University Medical Center in California. Lisa Thorén's work has been featured in Darien/New Canaan Magazine, Brooks Brothers stores, and historical societies in Greenwich and Darien. She resides in Darien, CT with her husband Peter. AF6C58FE-4CCA-488C-9A50-6F9DFB4628DA_1_105_c 91305028-5EB3-4401-A7BE-5571917839E2_1_105_c 34D5255F-7E26-4876-AF16-55EC7CEE3B52_1_201_a AF6C58FE-4CCA-488C-9A50-6F9DFB4628DA_1_105_c 1/3 Christina Tugeau Artist Statement: I love to paint - the delightful surprise each time as ‘something’ comes from nothing - pushing and pulling paint on paper, panel, or canvas - an image that has never existed before! I paint scenes, large and small, that capture my attention with their subject, shapes, light play, color, or story. I have an intention for the piece when I start but I am an intuitive painter and ‘listen’ to the moment and the paint itself once I begin. Often it has other intentions for me… thus the surprise! Christina Tugeau_edited A524742F-5FCA-4A42-B27A-A31D4BBA7E99_1_105_c Patricia Shean 5 Christina Tugeau_edited 1/17 Mary Wade Mary Wade offers family and landscape photography based in Darien, CT, and Nantucket, MA. While her versatile photography skills range from headshots to beachscapes. One of her favorite subjects to capture is the family unit and she loves working with children. Mary Wade Aeriel 2 Mary Wade Aeriel 1 Mary Wade Aeriel 2 1/2 Kathleen Weinstock Kathleen came to painting after a career in finance and retail management in New York City. She rediscovered her creative passion as she raised her three children in Darien. While working in decorating, she squeezes in time for painting. Kathleen’s award-winning oil painting depict subjects ranging from landscapes, still life, portraits and abstractions. Kathleen Weinstock 1 Kathleen Weinstock 2 Kathleen Weinstock 1 1/2 IMG_3404 IMG_3434 IMG_3403 IMG_3404 1/5

< Back A Visit from St. Nicholas Sat., Dec., 10, 11 am A Visit from St. Nicholas! Previous Next

Join us for three events celebrating America 250 on September 18, October 14 and November 12. As we approach the momentous 250th anniversary of American independence, our Fall Scholars Series invites you on a journey through the Revolutionary era—from the intimate experiences of ordinary soldiers to the grand sweep of cinematic storytelling, and the hidden histories preserved within our own community. This Fall, we present three events that illuminate different facets of America's founding struggle, each offering unique perspectives on the courage, sacrifice, and vision that shaped our nation. Come to one or come to all! Series tickets available. Please consider becoming a P atron of our Fall Scholars Series Celebrating America250 to help support the Mather Homestead mission of bringing history to life! Your gift will help us to bring this exciting series to audiences in the Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center on the Mather Homestead property. In addition, we are excited to partner with Connecticut Public to bring The American Revolution preview to Darien and New Canaan Middle School Students. They will view the preview together at New Canaan's Saxe Middle School followed by a presentation by Series Producer Sarah Botstein. Stay tuned for information on additional events including homesteading and literary workshops, kids events and field trips, all to celebrate America's Semiquincentennial! Purchase Series Tickets Discover Connecticut's Revolutionary War Sites and the Preservation Movement that Saved Them Nov 12, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Join Christopher Wigren of Preservation Connecticut and Chris Fagan, architect of Darien's newly restored Pond Weed House, for a discussion of Connecticut's Revolutionary Era sites and the preservation efforts that have sustained them, including Bertha Mather McPherson's pioneering work in Darien. Details Upcoming Events: Our Revolutionary Journey Joseph Plumb Martin: The Soldier's Story Featuring Alan Taylor, Two-Time Pulitzer Prize Winner We begin with the raw, unfiltered account of Joseph Plumb Martin—the teenage Milford, CT Continental soldier whose vivid memoir offers the most detailed surviving record of an ordinary soldier's Revolutionary War experience. Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Alan Taylor, Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia, brings forgotten voices of the American Revolution to life in this gripping portrait of Joseph Martin. Drawing from his renowned expertise in social history, Taylor immerses readers in the raw realities of war—from the brutal winter at Valley Forge to the battlefield hardships that forged American resilience. This vivid, human-centered narrative challenges traditional founding myths and reveals the diverse, multicultural roots of the Revolution, offering a fresh, deeply personal perspective on the birth of the nation. The American Revolution: A Cinematic Vision Preview of Ken Burns' Highly Anticipated Documentary Next, we'll experience an exclusive preview of Ken Burns' monumental new documentary series, "The American Revolution," premiering on PBS November 16, 2025. This six-part, 12-hour epic—eight years in the making—promises to be Burns' most ambitious Revolutionary War project yet. The series weaves together accounts of political leaders with the perspectives of ordinary people who waged and witnessed war, presenting an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of America's founding struggle. From Lexington Green to Yorktown, this documentary captures the full scope of a conflict that was simultaneously a war for independence, a civil war, and a global struggle that turned the world upside down. This event will include the ~20 minute preview of the film followed by moderated discussion with historians and those intimately involved in the creation of the film. Darien's Revolutionary War Houses and the Preservation Movement that Saved Them Featuring Christopher Wigren of Preservation Connecticut, and Chris Fagan, Architect of the Newly Restored Pond Weed House Our series wraps up with an exploration of Revolutionary War-era architecture in our own community. Nearly 70 years ago, Bertha Mather McPherson—one of Connecticut’s first female architects, a Darien Historical Society co-founder, and dedicated preservationist—worked to identify and protect these historic homes. This presentation will highlight the Revolutionary War houses still standing in Darien today, and the efforts that helped preserve them. Christopher Wigren, architectural historian and Deputy Director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, will discuss the preservation movement of the 20th century which ensured that homes would be saved for generations to come. Chris Fagan will share his work to restore the Pond Weed House, one of Darien's oldest homes. A Revolutionary Perspective Together, these three events offer a unique view of the Revolutionary experience: the personal sacrifice of those who fought, the artistic interpretation that helps us understand its meaning, and the physical structures that witnessed it all. From Joseph Plumb Martin's firsthand account of continental soldiers' struggles to the architectural evidence of Revolutionary life preserved in our own backyard, this series connects the grand narrative of American independence to the human stories and local histories that give it meaning. Join us this fall as we explore how the Revolutionary generation's courage, vision, and sacrifice continue to shape our understanding of American identity and democratic ideals. These are the voices—soldier, filmmaker, and preservationist—that help us comprehend not just what happened 250 years ago, but why it still matters today. October 14 CT Premier of Ken Burns The American Revolution The Mather Homestead hosted the exclusive Connecticut Premier of Ken Burns new monumental series The American Revolution, followed by panel discussion with CT Public's Lucy Nalpathanchil and historians Friederike Baer and Thomas Balcerski. Earlier in the day, the film was viewed by Darien and New Canaan High School students at the New Canaan High School. Photos below: Joel Calloway, CT Public

< Back American Poetry with Samantha Gault: Inaugural Poems Weds., Jan 19, 7 pm, parlor, $20/$15 members One year after Amanda Gorman's memorable reading of "The Hill We Climb" we'll look at the cultural impact of her poem and read it alongside the inaugural poems of Maya Angelou, Miller Williams, Elizabeth Alexander, and Richard Blanco.... perhaps Frost too Previous Next

Recently renovated, this playhouse serves as place of fun for generations past, present, and future. < Back The Playhouse Listen to Audio Tour for this location: 00:00 / 00:43 Recently renovated, this playhouse serves as place of fun for generations past, present, and future. Image Gallery A photo of the playhouse today A photo of the playhouse in 1953 Site Description The playhouse was moved to this location In the late 1930s or early 1940s from its former location at Grace Floy’s House, built by Bertha Mather on the opposite side of Brookside Road. Jane McPherson Nickerson, the Bertha's youngest daughter, had her own small flower bed located southeast of the playhouse. There was even a grass-surfaced tennis court nearby. The Mather Homestead Foundation recently completed the historic renovation of the playhouse which was enjoyed by generations of Mathers. The playhouse can now be a place of learning and play for future generations of children. Please proceed to the Site #7: The Barn. Previous Next

The most notable member of the Mather family, Stephen Tyng Mather, founded the National Park Service and served as its first director. < Back 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. Previous Next

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. PLANNED GIVING The Mather Homestead: ~250 years of history Help us preserve the Homestead for another 250 years! There are many ways to make a planned gift to the Mather Homestead Foundation nd your financial and/or legal advisor can help you evaluate which option is right for you. 1) Make a Bequest Leave a gift of cash, securities or other assets, such as real property, by making a bequest in your will or trust. This allows you to make a generous gift that will not compromise your lifestyle. Name The Mather Homestead Foundation as a Beneficiary 2) One of the easiest ways to make a planned gift is to name the Mather Homestead Foundation as a beneficiary of your life insurance, IRA, or other retirement plan. You can allocate a specific percentage or a set amount to Horizons at NCCS. 3) Establish a Charitable Lead or Charitable Remainder Trust Create a charitable trust, naming Horizons at NCCS as a beneficiary during your life (Lead) or in the future (Remainder). Charitable trusts can provide tax advantages for capital gains, gift and estate taxes. Please contact Heather Raker at 203-202-7602 heatherraker@matherhomestead.org to discuss! The earliest photo of the homestead, circa 1800s

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

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

< Back Music at Mather featuring Nick Depuy Sat., Feb 12, 4 pm KIDS, 6:30 pm ADULTS, Barn, $10 kids, $35 adult concert Kid's concert (reco ages 5 to 12): First up, Nick will entertain and educate kids about American Folk music. He'll play folk songs from the 40s through the present, think Woodie Guthrie, Pete Segar, and talk about the historical influences behind these songs and how they've inspired the music that followed. Adult/Young Adult concert: Singer/Songwriter Nick Dupuy will perform his original music (he has penned over 60 songs and counting!) and a few cover favorites. Nick calls his music “folksy with a few twists" -- think a combination of James Taylor meets Mumford & Sons. His goal, he said, is to tell a meaningful story through his music. His recent album "Don't Be Sorry" is out on iTunes, amazon and spotify - check it out! Nick Depuy, an American University graduate majoring in music and literary studies, is an evocative and haunting singer-songwriter. Nick boasts a unique sound that is rooted in old time folk, jazz and blues. But his influences do not define him, as he puts his own stamp on the likes of rock, pop, and hip-hop in the songs that he writes and sings. Previous Next