We welcomed 10 kids including eight scouts for our first "Become a Stephen Mather Junior Junior Ranger" event. Kids learned about the National Parks and Stephen Mather's important role in creating the National Park Service and the system of 61 parks that we enjoy today. We then took a hike on the Darien Land Trust's Mather Meadows property across the street. Finally, we played fun games to learn more about our national parks! ​ Please reach out to us to schedule a Junior Ranger event for your group of kids! Recommended for 2nd to 7th grade. < Back Become a Stephen Mather Junior Ranger! October 9, 2022 We welcomed 10 kids including eight scouts for our first "Become a Stephen Mather Junior Junior Ranger" event. Kids learned about the National Parks and Stephen Mather's important role in creating the National Park Service and the system of 61 parks that we enjoy today. We then took a hike on the Darien Land Trust's Mather Meadows property across the street. Finally, we played fun games to learn more about our national parks! Please reach out to us to schedule a Junior Ranger event for your group of kids! Recommended for 2nd to 7th grade. Previous Next

St. Nicholas returned for a third visit to the Homestead. Ho ho ho! Click "read more" for photos by George Foster. < Back A Visit from St. Nicholas - December 10, 2022 St. Nicholas returned for a third visit to the Homestead. Ho ho ho! Click "read more" for photos by George Foster. Previous Next

Fifth Annual Fall Harvest Festival! < Back Harvest Festival - October 21, 2023 Fifth Annual Fall Harvest Festival! Previous Next

Our music series includes a variety of musicians from singers to instrumentalists, and from classical to contemporary. More information on past music events at the Mather Homestead can be found here. Past Music-at-Mather Dan Zlotnick - December 3, 2023 Family holiday concert featuring Dan Zlotnick: songs, sing-a-long and santa! Music-at-Mather: Superneutral and James Crafford - March 11, 2023 First at the Mic ... Superneutral, featuring Jon Jensen, singing favorites from the past 300 years! Then singer/songwriter James Crafford! Con Fuoco String Quartet - December 2, 2022 Con Fuoco performed a holiday set for the third year. Amazing musicians! On the Trail - June 26, 2022 On the Trail is just back from their tour of the Netherlands, bringing us bluegrass to the Mather Homestead! Con Fuoco String Quartet - June 19, 2022 Con Fuoco returned for a Spring concert featuring Haydn and Mendlessohn Acabella - June 5, 2022 Acabella celebrated its 20th year with a Spring concert at the Homestead! The group, led by Heather Raker and Carolyn Woodberry, include singers Brooke Beck, Kelly Galvin, Amanda Martocchio, Jennifer Mathissen, Cathleen Morgan (our newest member!), Claire Runyan, Susan Seelert, Rachel Steib, Tere Stevens, Jenny Zonis. View on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matherhomesteadfoundation/videos/588855689504615. Concert starts around 7 minutes Jazz featuring Lissy Newman - May 22, 2022 Jazz in the garden featuring Lissy Newman on vocals and Tony Lombardozzi on guitar. Plus wine & cheese! Nick Depuy - February 12, 2022 First up, Nick will entertained and educated kids about American Folk music, playing folk songs from the 40s through the present, think Woodie Guthrie, Pete Segar, and talking about the historical influences behind these songs and how they've inspired the music that followed. Next, he performed his original music (he has penned over 60 songs and counting!) and a few cover favorites for adults and young adults. 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. Acabella - December 10, 2021 Acabella, an all women's a cappella group, performed a holiday program for a jolly audience! View concert on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=528926435575944. Concert starts around 8 minutes. Con Fuoco String Quarter - December 5, 2021 Back by popular demand, the Con Fuoco String (Italian for “with fire”) Quartet returned to the Homestead. These accomplished young musicians performed an hour long program including Bethoven's String Quartet in C minor, Mozart's String Quartet in C Major and holiday music. Con Fuoco String Quartet - October 16, 2021 Con Fuoco returned for a fall performance. David Higgins Band - October 8, 2021 Dan performs tirelessly around New York's Hudson Valley and beyond, taking the stage at the 2018 Pleasantville Music Festival, the Paramount Hudson Valley (opening for Grammy winner Marc Cohn twice), the Towne Crier (opening for Patty Larkin), Garica's at The Capitol Theater, and more. On the Trail - August 29, 2021 On the Trail returned by popular demand! On the Trail is a modern acoustic quartet that explores everything from bluegrass to contemporary pop, from stunning instrumentals to beautiful songs. The band bonded from their love of bluegrass and the band Punch Brothers, and has already gained recognition and praise for their execution of challenging music, as well as fore their new original music. On the Trail features Darien Middlesex Music Teacher, Austin Scelzo on fiddle and vocals, To Polizzi on mandolin and vocals, Chet Duke on banjo and Charlie Widmer on guitar and vocals. Dan Zlotnick - July 11, 2021 Dan is an American singer songwriter. With a contemporary Americana flair, Dan’s music reflects his love of classic rock and blues. His evocative lyrics, captivating melodies, and energetic performances exude Dan’s passion for creating and sharing his music with everyone around him. On the Trail - June 13, 2021 On the Trail is a modern acoustic quartet that explores everything from bluegrass to contemporary pop, from stunning instrumentals to beautiful songs. The band bonded from their love of bluegrass and the band Punch Brothers, and has already gained recognition and praise for their execution of challenging music, as well as fore their new original music. On the Trail features Darien Middlesex Music Teacher, Austin Scelzo on fiddle and vocals, To Polizzi on mandolin and vocals, Chet Duke on banjo and Charlie Widmer on guitar and vocals. Con Fuoco String Quartet - May 23, 2021 Back by popular demand, the Con Fuoco String Quartet returned to the Homestead. These accomplished young musicians, Ari Matsushita, Kay McIlhenny, Josh Bustamente and Ami Matsushita will perform an hour long program including Mendelssohn's Quartet Op. 81, Prokofiev's String Quartet No. 2, and Vivaldi's Spring. Caryn Lin, Electric Violinist - March 6, 2021 Caryn performed three shows for Mather guests on March 6 in order to adhere to covid-19 restrictions and social distancing guidelines. She mesmerized young kids, middle and high school students and adults of all ages. Thank you Caryn! About Caryn: Caryn plays her four, five and six string electric violins, using looping to create short, on-the-spot recordings of her violin, voice, and percussion instruments. As she plays the violin, the recorded snippets play back in a continue loop adding fascinating layers of sound over deceptively simple melodies. The result is a live show that is spectacular and like no other - catchy, mesmerizing, and very entertaining! Con Fuoco String Quartet - December 13, 2020 Con Fuoco returned for a holiday performance. Con Fuoco String Quartet - October 4, 2020 We introduced our "Music at Mather" series with the classical sounds of the Con Fuoco String Quartet. These accomplished young musicians, Ari Matsushita, Kay McIlhenny, Josh Bustamente and Ami Matsushita, performed an hour long program including: String Quartet in G Major KV 156, Mozart; String Quartet no. 11 in F Major Op. 96 "American," Dvorak; and Eine Kleine Nacht Musik in G Major KV 525, Mozart.

Our family fun events bring kids and caregivers to the Homestead for good old fashioned fun. Past events have included a our fall harvest festival, traditional Easter egg roll, a Visit with St. Nicholas, Mather Games celebrating Stephen Mather's birthday, outdoor s'mores. Past Family Fun A Revolutionary Day featuring Sheldon's Horse - April 27, 2024 A Revolutionary Day featuring Sheldon's Horse: the Second Regiment Light Dragoons! Calvary drills, crafts, live music, tours of the Homestead and Revolutionary education and fun! Read More Harvest Festival - October 21, 2023 Fifth Annual Fall Harvest Festival! Read More 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!! Read More A Visit from St. Nicholas - December 10, 2022 St. Nicholas returned for a third visit to the Homestead. Ho ho ho! Click "read more" for photos by George Foster. Read More Harvest Festival - October 22, 2022 Our fourth annual Fall Harvest Festival was a smashing success. Nearly 600 people enjoyed hay rides, a petting zoo, face painting, apple bobbing, crafts, games and music by On the Trail. We were lucky to have a beautiful day for fall fun! Photos by Katharine Calderwood. Read More A Visit from St. Nicholas - December 11, 2021 St. Nicholas visited the Homestead for the second time. Children enjoyed a visit with Santa and lots of fun stations with games & crafts (and candy!) Read More Heritage Day - October 23, 2021 Darien's Bicentennial Celebration included a reenactment of the 1781 Tory raid of the Mather Homestead and a skirmish between Patriots and Loyalists, plus a cannon demonstration! Read More Mather Games - June 26, 2021 Good old fashioned games and competition in honor of Stephen Mather's birthday (July 4, 1867). And cake! Read More 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. Read More Sips & S'mores - February 6, 2021 Outdoor fun during covid. Read More A Visit from St. Nicholas - December 19, 2020 Covid didn't keep St. Nicholas from visiting the Homestead! Children enjoyed a socially distanced visit with Santa and received a stocking filled with old fashioned games. Read More Harvest Festival - November 2, 2019 Third annual Fall Harvest Festival! Read More

Learn more about the Mather Homestead through video, podcast, historical papers and more. VIDEO 2020 The Story of the Mather Homestead This video was "premiered" at our 2020 Barnraiser event. It tells the story of the Mather Homestead from 1778 to present. Thank you Pablo Villa, Allie Bernene, Gordon Hastings, the McPherson sisters, Penny Rashin and all who brought this story to life! PLEASE GIVE THE VIDEO A FEW SECONDS TO LOAD! CHECK OUT "NOW WE'RE TALKING DARIEN" PODCAST WITH TAYLOR & LIZ LISTEN: The Story of the Mather Homestead Taylor Carter and Liz Geiger, local Darien residents, are taking Darien by storm by interviewing local figures and business owners. They interviewed Heather Raker, Executive Director of the Mather Homestead Foundation, and Jennifer Foster, founding board member, on September 3, 2021. Jennifer and Heather shared stories about the Mather Family and Homestead, and highlighted the generosity of the individuals and community that brought this incredible asset to life. LISTEN DOCUMENTS FROM THE ARCHIVES The Mather house is filled with two and a half centuries of antiques, artifacts and papers. We are working on organizing and digesting all of the fascinating documents. A few below ... Letter from the "Old Homestead", 1877 Letter from Rev. C. G. Selleck, grandson of Joseph and Sarah Mather, 1878 Anne McPherson paper on the Homestead 1956 National Register of Historic Places - Nomination Form prepared by Bertha Mather McPherson Library of Congress - Historic American Buildings Survey - prepared July, 1967 Margaret Henderson letters Check out Donn's Blog for more information on what's been found "in the attic"! THE STORY OF THE MATHER HOMESTEAD As told by Gordon Hastings Docent Gordon Hastings has blogging since 2011 about books and subjects that he enjoys. Lucky for us that the Mather Homestead is a subject he enjoys! It begins like this .... Now that you are all sitting comfortably, I want to ask you to leave the 21st Century and go back with me 240 years and picture yourself here with Deacon Joseph Mather, son of Reverend Moses Mather, his wife Sarah and eight of their 11 children still living at home. One child is an infant, another just two years old. It is 15 degrees outside with a 25 mile per northeast wind blowing snow through tiny cracks in these walls and around the windows. Candles flicker, as there is no electricity. A fire glows in the hearth and in the pot above the hot coals is a rich stew which Sara prepared this morning and will be ready for an early dinner after Joseph and the oldest boys return from the barn following milking their four cows and making them safe for the night. continue The Story of the Mather Homestead as told by Gordon Hastings Check out more of Gordon's blogs at gordonsgoodreads.com . FROM THE PULPIT On April 22, 2018, Pastor Gary Morello gave a sermon on the the history of The First Congregational Church of Darien and its connection with the Mather Homestead, the home of Deacon Joseph Mather, the son of Reverend Moses Mather. He honored the Mather's determination to stand up against the British and for what they believed was right. Read an excerpt from his sermon BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Mather Homestead This information was compiled for the Bicentennial of the Mather Homestead in 1978. The Mather Homestead was erected in 1778 by Deacon Joeseph Mather on land inherited from his mother, Hannah Bell, a descendant of Francis Bell, one of the early settlers of Stamford. This house, properly modeled after the usual style of New England architecture of the second half of the 18th Century, was built in the extreme corner of the township now known as Darien, the land lying partly in that township, partly in Norwalk and partly in New Canaan. It was hoped that a house erected thus far from Old King's Highway and the Sound would not be bothered by raiders during the Revolutionary War. Deacon Joseph and his wife Sarah Scott, with their oldest child, Hannah, took possession of their new dwelling in early July 1778. At this time, the Deacon's father, the Rev. D. Moses Mather, sixty years pastor of the Congregational Church of Darien, was present, and when a fire first was wanted, he took his solar glass from his pocket, ignited the tobacco in his box and from that kindled the fire, remarking, "The first fire in the new house came from Heaven." This house, being on the outskirts of the settlement, was considered a safe repository by the neighbors for their silver and valuables. These were hidden down the well and also suspended by straps under the top of the highboy, still standing in the homestead. But the house was discovered and one evening a band of Tories came, plundered the house, and compelled Mrs. Mather, at the point of a bayonet, to prepare them supper at the huge fireplace. They then ordered the Deacon to accompany them to Long Island Sound to prevent his giving alarm in the community until they were a safe distance away. The Deacon fought as a soldier in the Revolution on a number of occasions, following the custom of the period in returning to his farm between campaigns. He first entered service in 1775, was engaged in the siege and capture of St. John's in Canada and went on to Montreal. In 1776 he was a member of the militia guarding the coast along Stamford. He enlisted as a sergeant in the Coast Guard again in 1779 and in 1780 he was appointed an Ensign in the Connecticut Militia. As the family increased and, in the process of time, the children married and had many little children of their own. The annual Thanksgiving celebration around the table of the Grandparents was a gathering of great happiness for all ages. "Dinner being served, always sumptuous and ample, first to the grown people and then to the numerous children, the table was removed and the afternoon was given up to chat and hilarity. No wine and no smoking, but all satisfied and serious, the elder members sat by the fire in the west room and talked of the crops and the profits realized, the genealogy of the families, of marriages, births, and deaths, and of experiences of the Revolution, so recently passed." In the West room also, where the same clock that now stands there indicated that it was bedtime, the family gathered for evening worship around the hearth. All stood up and turned toward their chairs and the grand-sire lead in prayer to give thanks for the blessing of another day just passed and to commit the household to the safekeeping of God for another night. Here in this house the Deacon and his wife resided for the remainder of their long lives, he dying in 1840 and she in 1843. Here all of their eleven children, with the exception of the oldest, were born and here some of their descendants still live. Their little daughter Clara, who died in infancy in 1786, was the first to be buried across the field in what is now the Mather Cemetery. Upon his death, the Deacon left the house, valued at $500 in the inventory of his estate, to his widow for the remainder of her life and then to his two maiden daughters, Rana and Pheobe. They continued to live here all their lives, beloved by their brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews who were always welcome at the Homestead and were frequent visitors. A widowed sister, Betsy Lockwood, with her daughter Ann Elizabeth also lived with them for many years. At Aunt Rana's death in 1880, aged 96, it was written of her "Her life has run on parallel with the existence of this nation which at her birth was in its infancy. She has been a member of the Congregational Church for 72 years. As a Christian, she was quiet, consistent, and devoted, always hopeful and cheerful and ever pleased to see all friends and neighbors who called." Ann Elizabeth Lockwood, daughter of Aunt Betsy, was bequeathed the house in 1886 at the death of Aunt Pheobe. Shortly thereafter, in 1887, she sold the house and twelve acres for $1,000 to her first cousin Joseph Wakeman Mather. He made various improvements on the place, erecting a new barn 120 feet west of the house, in 1891, which was constructed by his brother William F. Mather. Joseph W. Mather occupied the Homestead in the summers and during the winters lived at the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn so that he did not experience the discomforts of a house without central heating which must have been difficult for the "old aunties" in their declining years. The new barn burned in 1905 and the exertions and excitement caused by this event were supposed to have hastened the death of the 85-year-old owner who died shortly after. In his will, he left the house to his sole surviving child, Stephen Tyng Mather of Chicago, and to his niece, Bertha Mather, daughter of his brother Henry. She had been his constant companion and he had been devoted to her. The house and twenty-two acres were valued at this time at $1,300. Stephen bought his cousin's interest in the place and began to make changes almost immediately, building a new barn further from the house, a cottage for a gardener, lying a sunken garden, and changing the front porch of the house to one that extended across the front. Stephen Mather, with his wife and baby daughter, first occupied the house in 1930. In spite of his absorbing interest in the National Parks and his busy life on their behalf for the last 15 years of his life, his affection for the Homestead was always keen. He made two other series of alterations on the house, one in 1915 and the last one, leaving the house in the present condition in 1927. In spite of much change, many features remain as they originally were or have been returned to their original condition. Bertha Mather McPherson inherited the Homestead upon the death of her father in 1930. She and her husband, Edward R. McPherson, Jr., made it their year-round home for 70 years. Their three children, Anne McPherson Tracy, Stephen Mather McPherson, and Jane McPherson Nickerson grew up here, generously gifted the homestead to the Foundation to open for the publics enjoyment. Their children and grandchildren are the seventh and eighth generation to visit the Homestead, built by their great-great-great-great-great grandfather in 1778. BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION DARIEN In 2021, Darien celebrated its 200th anniversary ... one year late due to COVID. The events included a reenactment of the raid on the Congregational church of Darien as well as a reenactment at the Mather Homestead. RAID ON THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Raid of Mather Homestead CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORT In 2023, The Mather Homestead Foundation hired Heritage Landscapes to conduct a Cultural Landscape Report of the property. T he report will provide a better understanding of the property, its history and usage, and inform a Master Plan for the future. LANDSCAPE HISTORY CHAPTER

We welcome the help of volunteers who can help with the following: Tours, Fall & Spring Clean Ups, Gardening, Research, Scholar Lectures, THE MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION The Mather Homestead is overseen by the Mather Homestead Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization which was created in 2016 to operate the Mather Homestead as a museum dedicated to historical education. The Mather Homestead, Darien's only Registered National Historic Landmark, is a historic home and property on the four corners of Brookside and Stephen Mather Roads. The home was built in 1778 by Deacon Joseph Mather, raided by Tories during the Revolutionary War, and later the home of Stephen Tyng Mather, an avid conservationist and the first Director of the National Park Service. The Homestead is now open for tours and a wide variety of events intended to bring history to life! More about the Mather Homestead More about the Mather Family Learn More - Donn's Blog,

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 9a to 2p. For tours outside of regular hours please email info@matherhomestead.org. We are happy to accommodate you! 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 property originally consisted of 100 acres in 1778, which is what it took for a family to sustain itself. When Stephen Tyng Mather acquired the property in 1906, it consisted of 22 acres. In 1909, Stephen Mather hired renowned architect and landscape artist Walter Burley Griffin to create the Homestead's sunken garden that still exists today. THE MATHER PROPERTY AND GARDENS The Mather Homestead property originally consisted of 100 acres, which is what it took for a family to sustain itself. The working farm included vegetables, flax and wheat and farm animals providing milk, eggs and meat. By 1906, when Stephen Tyng Mather became the sole owner of the Homestead, the property consisted of 22 acres. Stephen, his wife Jane, and their baby daughter, Bertha, first occupied the house in the summer of 1907. In addition to making changes to the house, they added a sunken garden in 1909 which still exists today. Walter Burleigh Griffin Garden 1909 Stephen Mather hired Walter Burley Griffin, who was both an architect a nd a landscape architect, to design the sunken garden. As a member of "The Prairie School," he worked with Frank Lloyd Wright and oversaw the construction on many of Wright's houses. Wright met Stephen Mather when they were both members of the Prairie Club of Chicago which, among other things, sought to "raise public awareness of special areas and to create an interest in their conservation." In 1911, an international competition was held for the design of a capital for Australia. Walter and his partner and wife, Marion Mahoney Griffin, entered the competition and won. They emigrated to Australia in 1914 and did not return. MORE ON DONN's BLOG 1909 Sunken Garden designed by Walter Burley Griffin Pictures by Herbert W. Gleason. cont. 1909 Sunken Garden designed by Walter Burley Griffin Pictures by Herbert W. Gleason. 1/2 Lillian Egleston Garden 1938 Upon S tephen Mather's death in 1930, his daughter, Bertha, inherited the house. She changed the sunken garden to be a bit less formal in 1938. The plans were prepared by Lilian Egleston of Elizabeth, NJ, where Bertha's mother grew up. MHA 1951 uk garden P McPherson # 0 - Egleston plan 1938 MHA 1953-05 uk garden flowers P MHA 1951 uk garden P 1/11 Charles Middeleer Terrace 1962 Berth a added the terrace a round the well and additional plantings in 1962 with plans by Charles Middeleer. Bertha cared for the gardens until her death in 1993. MHA 1969-05 uk house from garden P MHA 1969-05 uk well P MHA 1969-05 uk well and garden P MHA 1969-05 uk house from garden P 1/8 Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center Garden 2020 In 2020, a new barn-like structure, the "Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center, " was added to the property to provide a place for education. The Mather Homestead Foundation is grateful to the Garden Club of Darien, who generously contributed foundation plantings to the barn. The Garden Club of Darien selected plantings with considerations of sunlight, water, deer resistance, pollinator attraction, color, size and other growing conditions. Plants include Ilex, Viburnum, Spirea, and more. The Garden Club of Darien and Mather Homestead are grateful for the expertise of Ungemack-Mccool Landscape Associates, Inc. for their help with this project. "The Barn" Plants courtesy of the Garden Club of Darien Cont. "The Barn" 1/3 Mather Garden Today Fast forward to today. The Mather Homestead gardens were quite unkempt when the Mather Homestead Foundation took over the property in 2017. Thanks to the efforts of Mather Homestead volunteers, in particular Andy Huntington, the gardens have been restored and beautified. In addition to leading extensive clean up of the gardens, Andy has incorporated roses, peonies and other herbaceous perennials to give the garden more visual appeal throughout the spring and summer season. Thank you Andy and our other volunteers! Cultural Landscape Report 2023-24 In 2023, The Mather Homestead Foundation hired Heritage Landscapes to conduct a Cultural Landscape Report of the property. T he report will provide a better understanding of the property, its history and usage, and inform a Master Plan for the future. If you are interested in helping our organization with our gardens, please send us an email he re! GET IN TOUCH!

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. MISSION MISSION The Mather Homestead Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the Mather Homestead, established in 1778 and home to seven generations of Mather descendants, as a treasured place for historical education and enjoyment. The Foundation will raise 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. The Mather Homestead Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the Mather Homestead, established in 1778 and home to seven generations of Mather descendants, as a treasured place for historical education and enjoyment. The Foundation will raise 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. MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION MISSION STATEMENT The Mather Homestead Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the Mather Homestead, established in 1778 and home to seven generations of Mather descendants, as a treasured place for historical education and enjoyment. The Foundation will raise 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.

Dan performs tirelessly around New York's Hudson Valley and beyond, taking the stage at the 2018 Pleasantville Music Festival, the Paramount Hudson Valley (opening for Grammy winner Marc Cohn twice), the Towne Crier (opening for Patty Larkin), Garica's at The Capitol Theater, and more. < Back David Higgins Band - October 8, 2021 Dan performs tirelessly around New York's Hudson Valley and beyond, taking the stage at the 2018 Pleasantville Music Festival, the Paramount Hudson Valley (opening for Grammy winner Marc Cohn twice), the Towne Crier (opening for Patty Larkin), Garica's at The Capitol Theater, and more. Previous Next

Caryn performed three shows for Mather guests on March 6 in order to adhere to covid-19 restrictions and social distancing guidelines. She mesmerized young kids, middle and high school students and adults of all ages. Thank you Caryn! About Caryn: Caryn plays her four, five and six string electric violins, using looping to create short, on-the-spot recordings of her violin, voice, and percussion instruments. As she plays the violin, the recorded snippets play back in a continue loop adding fascinating layers of sound over deceptively simple melodies. The result is a live show that is spectacular and like no other - catchy, mesmerizing, and very entertaining! < Back Caryn Lin, Electric Violinist - March 6, 2021 Caryn performed three shows for Mather guests on March 6 in order to adhere to covid-19 restrictions and social distancing guidelines. She mesmerized young kids, middle and high school students and adults of all ages. Thank you Caryn! About Caryn: Caryn plays her four, five and six string electric violins, using looping to create short, on-the-spot recordings of her violin, voice, and percussion instruments. As she plays the violin, the recorded snippets play back in a continue loop adding fascinating layers of sound over deceptively simple melodies. The result is a live show that is spectacular and like no other - catchy, mesmerizing, and very entertaining! Previous Next