Search Results

< Back American Poetry: Women's Month Tues., Mar. 8, 7 pm Previous Next

New York or Southern New England, 1760-1800. Cherry (possibly maple), tulip poplar; 27 ½" h. x 43" w. x 14 ¼" d. (42” open). < Back Round Drop Leaf Table Second Floor - Entrance Hall Furniture and Hard Furnishings New York or Southern New England, 1760-1800. Cherry (possibly maple), tulip poplar; 27 ½" h. x 43" w. x 14 ¼" d. (42” open). Round drop leaf top is attached to a rectangular frame with cabriole legs, two of which are hinged to support the leaves. Legs are carved to a shallow cabriole shape ending in pad feet. Condition: Fixed top has a strip of wood added in the center, presumably to repair a split. Several plugs in the top cover reattachment screws. Previous Next

New York or New England, 1835-1865. Cherry, tulip poplar; 26 ¾” h. x 16 ½” l. x 20 ½” w. < Back One drawer stand First Floor - Entrance Hall Furniture and Hard Furnishings New York or New England, 1835-1865. Cherry, tulip poplar; 26 ¾” h. x 16 ½” l. x 20 ½” w. A slightly overhanging top, over one drawer with a replaced Chippendale-style brass; standing on turned tapered legs with rings above and below, and tapered feet. Fair condition. Previous Next

Stephen Tyng Mather (1867-1930) Early Life (1867-1887) Stephen Tyng Mather, the great-grandson of Deacon Joseph Mather who built the Mather Homestead in 1778, was born on July 4, 1867 in Berkeley, California. He was named after the prominent New York Episcopal Minister, Stephen Tyng, who married his parents, Joseph W. Mather and Bertha Walker Mather, three years earlier in New York. Another son, Josie, was born in 1869. He passed at the age of 19 from spinal meningitis. Mather was educated at Boys' High School (now Lowell High School) in San Francisco, and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1887. While Mather grew up in California, he spent summers at the Mather Homestead in Darien, CT and considered it his "true home." He loved the outdoors and spent much time both in California and Connecticut exploring. Mather was attracted to nature in part because he found it helpful in moderating the debilitating bouts of chronic depression from which he privately suffered, while presenting to the world as ever- charming, friendly and garrulous. The New York Sun (1887-1893) Mather worked as a journalist for the New York Sun for five years following his graduation from Berkeley in 1887. By family lore, he met Jane Thacker Floy of Elizabeth, New Jersey whose father did not think journalism was a suitable career for his daughter. Mather left journalism in 1893 and joined the Borax Company where his father worked. Jane Thacker Floy (1868-1944) Jane Thacker Floy was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on February 7, 1868. She and Stephen Mather were married in October 12, 1893 in New York City. She gave birth to one daughter, Bertha in 1906. Following her husband's death in 1930, she lived with her daughter's family at the Mather Homestead until her death. She passed on August 19, 1944 and is buried in the Mather Cemetery on Stephen Mather Road. 20 Mule Team Borax (1893-1914) After leaving the New York Sun in 1893, Mather joined the Pacific Coast Borax Company, where his father worked, in the New York office. In 1894, he moved with his new wife to Chicago, where he established a distribution center for the company. Mather proved to be a marketing genius and is credited with creating the slogan "20 Mule Team Borax" which propelled Borax to become a household name throughout the country. In 1898, Mather helped his friend, Thomas Thorkildsen, start another borax company. After suffering a severe episode of bipolar disorder in 1903 and having his salary withheld during extended sick leave, Mather resigned from Pacific Coast and joined Thorkildsen full-time in 1904. They named their firm the Thorkildsen-Mather Borax Company. Their company became prosperous, and they were millionaires by 1914. He then retired to pursue his interest - the National Parks. 1904 Trip to Europe Mather’s interest in national parks was influenced by a 1904 trip to Europe he took with his wife, Jane. Climbing the Swiss Alps and seeing how accessible they were to visitors inspired Mather to bring this model to park management in the United States. On his return, he became a dedicated conservationist, a friend and admirer of the influential John Muir, joined the Sierra Club, and climbed Mount Rainier. Through his activities in the Sierra Club, Mather made numerous allies who supported the creation of the National Park Service. In 1916, the Sierra Club made him an honorary vice-president. Note: vintage photo of the alps from "The Alps 1900. A Portrait in Color" published by Taschen. Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior - 1915 Mather traveled to Yosemite in 1914 and noticed the abysmal conditions of the park which were then managed by the US Army: bumpy, dangerous roads, inadequate lodging, cattle and sheep grazing and destroying pristine meadows, plus logging, hunting, mining and more. Mather wrote a letter to Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane, also from the University of Berkeley, espousing the deplorable conditions in the park. He received a letter back stating, "Dear Steve, If you don't like the way the parks are being run, come on down to Washington and run them yourself." And so he did. Mather went to Washington and became Assistant Secretary of the Interior in January 1915 and tirelessly made the case for the National Park Service. The Mather Mountain Party - 1915 In his first 12 months as special assistant for national park concerns to the Secretary of the Interior, Mather worked the corridors of Washington, D.C., traveled 30,000 miles and hosted one of the most spectacular lobbying sessions in American history. Nineteen politicians, businessmen, and scientists, along with the vice-president of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the editor of National Geographic, the president of the American Museum of Natural History and a congressman, who later became the Speaker of the House, accepted Mather’s invitation for a two-week camping trip in July of 1915 through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Known as the Mather Mountain Party, the purpose of the trip was to lobby this captive audience to support the creation of the National Park Service. Mather paid for the entire trip, hiring touring cars, horses, mules, and providing everyone with the latest in camping comfort–an air mattress. He hired a cook to prepare gourmet meals served on white linen tablecloths with fine china in remote areas of the park. In addition to having a memorable experience, the members of the Mountain Party saw the poor conditions of the campsites, the barely passable roads, the vulnerability of the ancient Sequoia groves to logging interests, and how grazing cattle were decimating meadows. At the end of the trip, Mather said to the group: "I think the time has come … that I should confess why I wanted you to come along with me on this adventure–not only for your interesting company, but to hope you’d see the significance of these mountains in the whole picture of what we are trying to do. Hopefully you will take this message and spread it throughout the land in your own avenue and style." In the end, Mather’s charisma coupled with the amazing scenery of the Sierra Nevada mountains created a memorable trip that won everyone over. “If he was out to make a convert,” one participant said of Mather, “the subject never knew what hit him.” Back in Washington, D. C., the men from the Mather Mountain Party lobbied successfully to create the National Park Service. Director of the National Park Service On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, thereby creating the National Park Service. Mather was appointed its first director in May of 1917. During his tenure, and working closely with his assistant Horace Albright, Mather created a professional and highly respected organization to administer the parks, including a cadre of Park Rangers to oversee the parks and educate visitors. He expanded the parks, nearly doubling the land in the system to include some of the nation’s best-known natural wonders and landscapes such as Grand Canyon, Zion, Hawaii Volcanoes, Denali, Acadia, Hot Springs, and Shenandoah. Mather hired, with his own funds, Robert Sterling Yard, a former co-worker at The New York Sun and friend, to publicize the parks and promote American tourism. He initiated the development of lodges and campsites, as well as railroad access and new roadways to make the park lands accessible. He even contributed generously to the parks from his personal fortune. Mather was firm in preventing private development in the parks that would mar their natural beauty. He built public appreciation for preserving and publicized the nation’s natural beauty and history. MORE about Stephen Mather and the history of the National Parks. The Mather Homestead (1906-1930) In 1906, Mather became the sole owner of the house and 22 acres following the passing of his father, Joseph Wakeman Mather, in 1905. He immediately made changes to the house, giving the house a more Colonial Revival appearance, building a barn, a cottage for a gardener, and in 1909, establishing a sunken garden designed by Walter Burleigh Griffin who went on to design Canberra, Australia's new capital city. In 1927, Mather nearly doubled the size of the house using architect Thomas Harlan Elliott. He added a porch to the side of the house and a two-story addition to the rear included a modern kitchen with bedrooms upstairs, and the portico over the main entrance was renovated. The interior of the house retained its original character and finishes during these renovations except for the old kitchen ("keeping room"), which was converted into a living room. Death and Legacy Stephen Mather suffered a heart attack in 1927, ten years after he became director of the NPS. A month later, he was mountain climbing and back at his desk maintaining his frantic work schedule. One year later, he suffered a massive stroke that left him incapacitated, forcing him to retire. He died on January 22, 1930 and is buried in the family cemetery on Stephen Mather Road in Darien. He left behind a huge legacy. Stephen Mather recognized the need for and met the challenge of creating a National Park system. He expanded the park lands and created the first parks in the East (Shenandoah and Acadia). He established professionals to manage the parks - the National Park Rangers who are among the most respected professionals in our country. He prevented industries from destroying park resources for their own gain. Most importantly, he welcomed Americans to the parks and encouraged them to experience the natural wonders of their country. His life is well summarized — on a series of bronze markers which were posthumously cast in his honor and distributed through many parks: "He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved, unimpaired for future generations. There will never come an end to the good he has done . . ." More about STM and the National Parks We've created a timeline of the National Parks. Click here . He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved unimpaired for future generations. There will never come and end to the good that he has done. Stephen Tyng Mather Photo Gallery stephenhorse IMG_4211 scan0001_Page_01 stephenhorse 1/52 The Ted Mack Radio Hour! A record player with a single vinyl record was found in the Mather Homestead cabinet -- the record includes 2 1/2 minutes honoring Stephen Mather from the 1951 Ted Mack Hour. Take a listen! Donn's blog tells more. 1951-06-04 Stephen Mather Tribute, ETC Side A copy Artist Name 00:00 / 02:40 Just for fun: VINTAGE BORAX ADS The National Parks: America's Best Idea The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a 2009 six-episode series produced by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan and written by Dayton Duncan. Episode 3: The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919) pays tribute Stephen Mather. Available on amazon prime video. Stephen Mather Videos from Harpers Ferry In 2025, the Mather Homestead Foundation acquired Stephen Mather's personal videos from Harpers Ferry, the archival arm of the NPS. Take a look below! https://vimeo.com/1063671326

In the Mandarin palate with red and gold painted floral sprays against a crème ground; cylinder shape with flared rim and base, 8 ½” h. < Back Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Vases Mounted as Lamps First Floor - Parlor Ceramics and Glass and Objects of Vertu In the Mandarin palate with red and gold painted floral sprays against a crème ground; cylinder shape with flared rim and base, 8 ½” h. Condition is good; presumed pierced bases for lamp mounts; ca. 1800-1825. Previous Next

Including: Shoehorn with repoussé work on handle, 6 ¾” l. Hand mirror with silver frame, 9 ½’ l. Brush with natural bristles, Sterling handle, 9” l. Nail file, Sterling handle, 6 ⅝” l. < Back Sterling Silver Dresser Set, Four Pieces Second Floor - Guest Room Other Decorative Arts Including: Shoehorn with repoussé work on handle, 6 ¾” l. Hand mirror with silver frame, 9 ½’ l. Brush with natural bristles, Sterling handle, 9” l. Nail file, Sterling handle, 6 ⅝” l. Shoe-horn is marked, Hamilton & Diesinger Sterling; circa 1900. 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 IN THE NEWS! Darien Living - Jan 9, 2026 - Mather Homestead's New Executive Director, Samantha Lane Gault Bedford New Canaan Magazine - July 3, 2024 - Bringing History to Life at the Mather Homestead - July 3, 2024.- Out & About: Mather Homestead Garden Tea Luncheon Darien Magazine - Spring/Summer 2024 - House Tour - The Mather Homestead: Bringing History to Life Now We're Talking Darien Podcast - September 3, 2021 - Jennifer Foster & Heather Raker Darien Times - August 13, 2020 - The Mather Homestead Completes Work on Education Center - May 10, 2017 - The Mather Homestead Becomes Darien Museum The Norwalk Hour - December 1, 2016 - Darien’s historic Stephen Mather homestead now town museum Darien Times - July, 2011 - The History Behind the Mather Homestead in Darien The New York Times - February 21, 1964 - Mather Homestead In Darien Becomes National Landmark

The Mather Homestead offers many opportunities for sponsorship. We are appreciative of your support and look forward to promoting your business! Sponsor payment may be made via check payable to "The Mather Homestead Foundation" or by credit card (link right). Please send checks to: The Mather Homestead Foundation, 19 Stephen Mather Road, Darien, CT, 06820 SUPPORT THE MATHER HOMESTEAD BY SPONSORING ONE OF OUR EVENTS! The Mather Homestead Foundation offers many opportunities for sponsorship and appreciates the support of our businesses who have contributed with financial and in kind donations. Donors are recognized in various ways - through our events, social media and publicity, and signage at the Homestead. SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL 2024 Our sixth annual Fall Harvest Festival on October 26th will feature fun for the entire family including hay rides, pony rides, face painting, the red fire truck, crafts, games and this year … a visit from George Washington! Funds raised will support restoration projects at the Mather Homestead. In the past, over 500 people have attended the event over three hours. These include families with young children from Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and surrounding towns. We are also looking for in-kind donations to our raffle and food for the event, e.g., donuts, cider, apples, and more. In-kind donors will be recognized at check in. Sponsorship offers a great marketing opportunity with the 500+ attendees! We are seeking financial sponsors for our various activities and look forward to recognizing businesses through the following: Lead sponsor $5,000: Branded Logo Banner (3' x 8') on Brookside/Stephen Mather Roads intersection for weeks leading up to event Lawn signs throughout town with brand logo Table and presence at event check-in. Product display. Other benefits below - signage at event, logo on website and event communications, recognition in 'boosted" social media, PR through local magazines and papers, email promotion to 2,000+ list. George Washington/Ponies sponsors $2,500: Prominent table and presence at event with product display. Other benefits below - signage at event, logo on website and event communications, recognition in 'boosted" social media, PR through local magazines and papers, email promotion Storytime/Hayride sponsors $1,000: Presence at event with product display. Signage at the event (e.g., “hay ride sponsored by …”) Logo prominently displayed on website and event communications according to giving level Recognition in “boosted” social media - instagram and facebook Thank you recognition in MH email to 2,000+ list. PR through magazines (e.g., Bedford New Canaan Magazine), local newspapers, Darien patch and others. Face Painting/Crafts in the Barn/Candy Land/Firetruck sponsors $500: Signage at the event (e.g., “face painting sponsored by …”) Logo prominently displayed on website and event communications according to giving level Recognition in “boosted” social media - instagram and facebook Thank you recognition in MH email to 2,000+ list. Note: firetruck sponsor - we will make donation directly to the Noroton Fire Department Pumpkin patch/Apple Bobbing/Colonial Photo "Booth" sponsors $250: Signage at the event (e.g., “pumpkin patch sponsored by …”) Logo prominently displayed on website and event communications according to giving level Recognition in “boosted” social media - instagram and facebook In-kind donations We are also looking for in-kind donations to our raffle and food for the event, e.g., donuts, cider, apples, and more. In-kind donors will be recognized at check in. SPONSOR PAYMENT via CC THANK YOU TO OUR PAST SPONSORS! JUNIOR BOARD SUMMER SOLSTICE 2024 The Junior Board welcomed 140 guests for cocktails on the patio followed by dinner in the field prepared by Ardens. A magical night! GARDEN TEA 2024 The May 30, 2024 Garden Tea welcomed 150 women for tea, lunch and a conversation with Pieter Estersohn, author of Back to the Land , and local book PR guru Nancy Sheed. FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL 2023 Our fifth annual Fall Harvest Festival welcomed families (~500 people) from Darien, New Canaan and surrounding towns to the Homestead for good old fashioned fun including a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, face painting, crafts, fire truck rides and more! GARDEN TEA 2023 The June 1, 2023 Garden Tea welcomed over 130 women for tea, lunch and a presentation by Calvert Crary of NY/LA Flower School. APRÈS SKI 2023 Our second annual Après Ski event welcomed nearly 150 people for fun and fundraising. PLAYHOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT 2023 Our historic playhouse was enjoyed by generations of Mathers but was sadly in disrepair. Thanks to Dan Lamontagne of Creative Builders, Rings End and many other donors, the playhouse has been restored future generations of children who will come to learn and play. FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL - OCTOBER 22, 2022 We appreciate the financial support of Harbor Point Dental Group at our fourth Fall Harvest Festival. We also appreciate our in kind sponsors including Palmers Market , Stop & Shop , Stew Leonards and Cabana . Over 600 people from Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and other surrounding towns joined us for hay rides, a petting zoo, crafts, face painting, games, tours of the Homestead, pumpkin decorating, live music and more! To inquire about 2023, please email info@matherhomestead.org or call 203-202-7602. Thank you! STEPHEN MATHER AND THE NATIONAL PARKS EXHIBIT Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Our first exhibit welcomed hundreds of people to learn more about the life and legacy of Stephen Tyng Mather, the first Director of the National Park Service and owner of the Mather Homestead from 1906 to 1930. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS! Many thanks to the businesses who provide services pro bono in order to maintain the beautiful Mather Homestead buildings & grounds: Bartlett T ree Davis Tree & Logging . SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT - THANK YOU! Sponsor payment may be made via check payable to "The Mather Homestead Foundation" or by credit card (link right). Please send checks to: The Mather Homestead Foundation 19 Stephen Mather Road Darien, CT. 06820 An acknowledgement form will be mailed to Thank you!

Oil on canvas; 33 ¾” h. x 26 ¾” w. (sight size). < Back American School, Portrait of Michael Floy, Sr. (1775-1854) First Floor - Keeping Room Fine Art Oil on canvas; 33 ¾” h. x 26 ¾” w. (sight size). In three quarter pose, against a dark ground, a dark haired gentleman in white cravat and black waistcoat, with hands folded, sitting in a Sheraton armchair. Framed in gold-painted frame; unsigned; circa 1815-1820. Condition is good in spite of old relining; a conservation report is attached verso, dated, October 23, 1964 from Margaret Watherston, NY, NY Previous Next

< Back Field Trip to the Keeler Tavern Museum, Ridgefield Date TBD If you find the Mather Homestead to be fun and interesting, I bet you'll love the Keeler Tavern Museum! Let's take a visit together! Previous Next

MH flower arranging guru led guests through the creation of unique and beautiful spring centerpieces. < Back Flowers and Fun - April 1, 2021 MH flower arranging guru led guests through the creation of unique and beautiful spring centerpieces. Previous Next

145 mi NE of El Paso, TX < Back Carlsbad Caverns 145 mi NE of El Paso, TX 1930 Established: Size: 46,766 acres Visitors: 440,691 in 2019 Summary Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in southeastern New Mexico, is a subterranean wonderland renowned for its vast underground chambers, intricate limestone formations, and awe-inspiring caverns. The park's centerpiece, Carlsbad Cavern, features an extensive network of caverns adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and draperies, creating a surreal landscape unlike any other. Visitors can explore the caverns via self-guided or ranger-led tours, marveling at the sheer size and beauty of these underground marvels. Above ground, the park's desert landscape provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, bats, and a diverse array of bird species. Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers a unique blend of geological wonders and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. Wildlife Carlsbad Caverns National Park, while renowned for its breathtaking underground wonders, also boasts a diverse array of wildlife thriving in its above-ground desert ecosystem. Visitors to the park may encounter mammals such as mule deer, coyotes, and foxes roaming the rugged terrain, while birdwatchers can spot a variety of avian species, including roadrunners, hawks, and numerous migratory birds. One of the park's most notable inhabitants is its bat population, with several species calling the caverns home. Each evening, from spring to fall, thousands of bats emerge from the caverns in a spectacular display of nature's splendor. Additionally, the park is home to reptiles such as lizards and snakes, as well as insects and other small creatures adapted to the desert environment. Exploring Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers not only a glimpse into its stunning geological formations but also an opportunity to appreciate the resilience and diversity of its wildlife. Sounds of the Park Things to Do Visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park can enjoy exploring the cave, or above ground, hiking, stargazing, or bat watching. Note that timed entry permits are required to enter the cavern, and reservations are strongly recommended. When to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters, and relatively scant precipitation year-round. The transitional seasons of spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) present pleasantly warm weather and are an ideal time to visit, though the park may be more crowded than in other times of the year. To avoid crowds, consider visiting in the middle of the week rather than the weekend, and plan your visit well in advance. Ties to Stephen Mather Carlsbad Cave National Monument, the park's predecessor, was established in 1923, during Mather's tenure as Director of the National Park Service. It was formally established in May 1930, less than four months after Stephen Mather's death. Carlsbad Caverns National Park has a Stephen Mather plaque, located on a limestone wall next to the Cavern Foot Trail entrance. Fun Fact Carlsbad Cavern's "Big Room" is the largest cavern chamber in North America, standing at 4000 feet long, 625 feet long, and up to 255 feet high. Previous Next