Connecticut's Historical Gardens < Back Connecticut's Historical Gardens - May 17, 2023 Connecticut's Historical Gardens Previous Next

< Back Plein Air Weeks 2022 May 29 to June 12 We invite all artists and aspiring artists to head over to the Mather Homestead in order to enjoy the grounds and paint, draw, photograph, etc during June, 2022! Previous Next

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 BOARDS Thank you to our dedicated board members! THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman: Sarah Nickerson Matthew Dougherty Jennifer L. Foster Joellyn Gray Ania Janis Ronald LaMorte Ginger Morgan Melissa Noonan Penny Rashin Chelsea Staniar Tammy Sload Kelly Stewart Tiffany Van Elslander Alison von Klemperer Lisa Washburn Chairman Emeritus: Richard L. Chilton, Jr. JUNIOR BOARD The purpose of the Mather Homestead Foundation (MHF) Junior Board is to involve MHF supporters who may not have the time to serve on the Board of Directors, but are interested in being involved. Junior Board members will provide guidance to the Mather Homestead Foundation Board, plan an annual fundraising event, and also serve as ambassadors for MHF in the community. Chair: Aly Sommer Nathalie Chiavaroli Blair, Jessica Carreiro, Diana Demirjian, Candice Dias, Carolyn Elmi, Amanda Forth, Danielle Gaglio, Annie Haas, Kate Holderness, Dana Koebbe, Sarah McMackin, Jessica Merrill, Alison Muench, Laura Nolen, Mariana Rosario Junior Board members at June, 2025 Summer Soiree ADVISORY BOARD Thank you to the following people for your service to the Mather Homestead Board of Directors and thank you for your continued engagement as Advisory Board member: Stephen Berger Margot Congdon Meredith Edwards Andrea Huntington Kevin Peraino Tracey Riccardi Kevin Treesh Carolyn Woodberry TEEN BOARD CLICK HERE for more information The Mather Homestead Teen Board offers high school students with an interest in history an opportunity to both contribute to and learn from the Mather Homestead, including its rich collection of original documents and antiques. 2026-2027 Chairs: Eliza DeChristopher and James DiBiasio Lachlan Blair Maya DeChristopher Thomas Ehrbart Cole Fiordalis Skyler Johnson Jake Kelley Alex Kettell Quincy Kettell Jack Lang Sean Mihopoulos Holden Mohr Sabrina Mohr Caroline Murphy Trevor Nelson Will O'Malley Luke Riley Nishka Sahgal Lucas Selph Ellie Shpetner Jack Stricker

New York or Southwestern Connecticut, 1810-1840. Tulip poplar; 8" h. x 15 ¾" w. x 7 ¼" d. < Back Small Lidded Box Attic Other Decorative Arts New York or Southwestern Connecticut, 1810-1840. Tulip poplar; 8" h. x 15 ¾" w. x 7 ¼" d. The finely dovetailed box has a lid attached with two cast iron hinges, which opens to a lidless till on right side. Applied moldings on lid and base; resting on ball feet; with original red stain. Previous Next

The Mather Homestead Easter egg roll included, of course, egg rolling, plus other outdoor games, Easter treats and live music. Did you know that the Easter egg roll has been a White House tradition since 1878? The roll is symbolic of rolling away the rock from Jesus Christ's tomb before his resurrection. < Back Easter Egg Roll - April 3, 2021 The Mather Homestead Easter egg roll included, of course, egg rolling, plus other outdoor games, Easter treats and live music. Did you know that the Easter egg roll has been a White House tradition since 1878? The roll is symbolic of rolling away the rock from Jesus Christ's tomb before his resurrection. Previous Next

The Mather Homestead was built in 1778 during the Revolutionary War. It became a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1963 and was included on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. < Back 1778 Homestead Listen to Audio Tour for this location: 00:00 / 02:14 The Mather Homestead was built in 1778 during the Revolutionary War. It became a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1963 and was included on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Image Gallery Photo of the Homestead today The earliest photograph of the Homestead, circa 1800s Site Description Welcome to the Mather Homestead! This home was built almost 250 years ago in 1778 during the Revolutionary War. The original house included the main box - not the two additional wings which were added on ~100 years ago. The house is a typical ‘salt box’ structure with rooms around a central fireplace which was the only source of heat. It is considered one of the finest examples of 18th century architecture, a wood frame structure with two stories plus a basement and an attic. The house did not have running water or indoor bathrooms. It was built by Joseph and Sarah Mather on 100 acres of land that he inherited from his mother and it was a working farm. They built the house in this location, four miles from the shoreline hoping it was a safe distance from the Tories, who were loyal to the King of England, who were raiding homes along the shoreline during the Revolutionary War. Joseph Mather was the son of Moses Mather, the first minister of the First Congregational Church of Darien and a fiery Patriot who was very actively opposed to the Tories and fought in several Revolutionary War campaigns. Stephen Mather added on the two wings in 1927 - One wing included a kitchen with guest room, bathrooms and two ‘servants’ bedrooms above. The other wing included the covered porch and later a bedroom above. The home became a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1963 and was included on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. In 2017, after seven generations of Mather family ownership, it was donated to a newly created foundation to be operated as a museum for public education and deemed a Darien Protected Landmark. The interior of the house is filled with original furnishings, family heirlooms and interesting artifacts from the original times of the house. Tours of the interior are offered by appointment. Check out the website for more details! https://www.matherhomestead.org/. Please proceed to Site #2: The Well - which is on the other side of the house. Previous Next

Wreath Making & Merriment! < Back Holiday Wreath Making Wreath Making & Merriment! Previous Next

The Mather family ancestry traces back to 17th century England

Con Fuoco returned for a fall performance. < Back Con Fuoco String Quartet - October 16, 2021 Con Fuoco returned for a fall performance. Previous Next

Good old fashioned games and competition in honor of Stephen Mather's birthday (July 4, 1867). And cake! < Back Mather Games - June 26, 2021 Good old fashioned games and competition in honor of Stephen Mather's birthday (July 4, 1867). And cake! Previous Next

Our music series includes a variety of musicians from singers to instrumentalists, and from classical to contemporary. Weather permitting, concerts are outside on the lawn. BYO blanket, beverage and snacks! A list of all concerts, past and future, can be found here. MUSIC AT MATHER Our music series includes a variety of musicians from singers to instrumentalists, and from classical to contemporary. Coming up ... No events at the moment Past Concerts Please consider becoming a patron of our music events! We will add you to our program and to our list below! Music at Mather Patrons THANK YOU! Lynn Chistopher Meredith Edwards Heather Raker Jolanda Sutherland Tammy Sload

England or Northern Europe, 1760-1800. Walnut veneer, pine, mirrored glass; 23 ½" h. x 12" w. < Back Looking Glass Second Floor - SE Bedroom Other Decorative Arts England or Northern Europe, 1760-1800. Walnut veneer, pine, mirrored glass; 23 ½" h. x 12" w. Rectangular with a scalloped and scrolled, veneered crest; ogee-molded cross-banding surrounds the glass. Condition is good with restorations to the crest and backboard. Previous Next