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The Mather Homestead Foundation is working on an "Oral History" project to interview members of the community who have a history with the Mather Homestead and its inhabitants, particularly Bertha Mather McPherson (1906-1993). We welcome your stories! TESTIMONIALS The Mather Homestead Foundation is working on an "Oral History" project to interview members of the community who have a history with the Mather Homestead and its inhabitants, particularly Bertha Mather McPherson (1906-1993). We welcome your stories ! Instructions : Please record your experiences with the Mather family and home/property for 2 to 5 minutes by using the link below (coming soon). Areas of interest : 1) The Mather family Did you know Bertha Mather McPherson? In what context and when? What stories do you remember about her? If not Bertha, please feel free to elaborate about other family members who lived at the Homestead. 2) The Mather Homestead and property What memories do you have about the buildings and property? E.G., features of the property that are no longer there? Experiences you had on the property or in the house? 3) Importance of the Mather Homestead in Darien's and our nation's History The Mather Homestead is thankful for Dr. Fiona Vernal, Associate Professor, University of Connecticut, and Connecticut Humanities for making this project possible!

Essay question: Why are the National Parks good for people Details: Open to students in grades 6 through 8. No more than 500 words. 1 winner per grade to be chosen. ESSAY CONTEST - readers page Essay question: Why are the National Parks good for kids? Details: Open to students in grades 6 through 8 No more than 500 words 1 winner per grade to be chosen. Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria: Your essay demonstrates an appreciation for the National Parks. Your essay is well written with proper punctuation and grammar. Deadline: Submit by December 5th to MHessay@gmail.com . Winners will be announced on December 16th Prizes: Book by Jonathan Waterman: Atlas of the National Parks

Coastal Connecticut, 1775-1810. Maple, tulip poplar, ash, rush seat; 40 ½" h. x 19 ¾" w. x 15 ¾" d. < Back “York” Side Chair Second Floor - Entrance Hall Furniture and Hard Furnishings Coastal Connecticut, 1775-1810. Maple, tulip poplar, ash, rush seat; 40 ½" h. x 19 ¾" w. x 15 ¾" d. The turned side chair, known in the period as a York chair, has a yokeshaped crest above elongated baluster turnings with complex ball, ring, and baluster turnings above and below. The solid tulip poplar splat is tenoned into a stay rail above a rush seat; turned and tapered front legs have small columnar turnings at the top and offset-turned pad feet, the proper left of which has partially split off. Front turning has opposing balusters and reel in the center. Ash double side stretchers and a single rear stretcher secure the legs. Previous Next

Including: Five plates, 7 ¼” d. Six (each) coffee cups and saucers, 5 ¾” d. (saucers). 6 cup plates, 4 ½” d. Teapot, 8” h. Creamer, 6 ¼” h. Lidded sugar bowl, 7 /4” h. Bowl, 6 ½” d. Circa 1845-1865. < Back White Porcelain “Old Wedding Ring” Tea Service First Floor - Dining Room Ceramics and Glass and Objects of Vertu Including: Five plates, 7 ¼” d. Six (each) coffee cups and saucers, 5 ¾” d. (saucers). 6 cup plates, 4 ½” d. Teapot, 8” h. Creamer, 6 ¼” h. Lidded sugar bowl, 7 /4” h. Bowl, 6 ½” d. Circa 1845-1865. White porcelain with gold trim around rims, handles, and finials; unmarked, French manufacture; 27 pieces total; condition is good. Previous Next

The Mather family ancestry traces back to 17th century England < Back The Mather Family The Mather family ancestry traces back to 17th century England Previous Next

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. < Back 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. Previous Next

The Elizabeth W. "Liz" 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. MATHER BARNS AND OTHER OUTBUILDINGS The first barn north and west of the house was built by Joseph Wakeman Mather's brother William for Joseph in 1891. Joseph Wakeman on front porch. Superintendent J. Darwin Burger next to barn. Joseph Wakeman Mather in front of barn. 1891 barn in background. Second documented barn built after first burned 1905, shown with sunken garden in foreground. Stephen Tyng Mather and J. Darwin Burger, Superintendent. Jane Thacker Floy Mather, unknown, Harriet Gilbert McPherson, Bertha Floy Mather Third documented barn & three-car garage built 1965 Barn originally painted a light color. Third barn with sunken garden in foreground. 1965 barn originally painted a light color, later painted red with white trim. 1960s view of greenhouse, added by Stephen Mather in 1915. Greenhouse 1960s Playhouse left, potting shed, right, circa 1974 Original gardener's cottage, left, built by Stephen Mather, was connected to the house with a connecting high fence/trellis. Gardener's cottage left. Gardener's cottage behind house circa 1915 Gardener's cottage behind house after 1927. Gardener's cottage with trellis extending west circa 1944 Guest house circa 1965, built 1965 on foundation of the previous gardener's cottage. Guest house with 2 car garage was built in 1965 on the foundation of the previous gardener's cottage. The first documented barn was built by Joseph Wakeman Mather's brother, William, for Joseph in 1891. The barn burned in 1905. The second documented barn was built after the first burned in 1905 by Stephen Mather. The third documented barn and three car garage was built in 1965. A greenhouse with potting shed was added to the property by Stephen Mather in 1915. The greenhouse was demolished by Bertha Mather in 1965, but the potting shed remained and was still standing in 1967 as it was included in the description included in the Historic American Buildings Survey. Stephen Mather had a gardener's cottage constructed behind the main house with a high trellis connecting the two buildings. In 1965, Bertha replaced the two-story Gardener's cottage with a story-and-one-half guest house, constructed on the same foundation as the gardener's cottage. THE ELIZABETH W. CHILTON EDUCATION CENTER a.k.a., the barn The Mather Homestead's new "barn" was built in 2020 in order to house lectures, school groups, art exhibits and more, supporting the Mather Homestead's vision of becoming a preeminent center for historical education in Fairfield County. The 1800 square foot structure resembles an 18th century dairy barn on the exterior with a open interior floor plan in order to maximize the opportunity for gatherings of up to 130 people. It includes significant wall space for exhibits, a small efficiency kitchen, ADA compliant bathrooms and large doors to open to the outside. The construction of the barn was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Mather Homestead Foundation board, led by chairman Richard L. Chilton, a gift from The Darien Foundation, and many other generous donors. Wall of donors . About Elizabeth W. Chilton Elizabeth W. Chilton, known to her friends and family as Liz, was most recently a resident of New Canaan before her passing in 2013. Throughout her life, she was active in historical preservation, the arts and horticulture. In 1970, while living in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, she and a group of four other women formed the Friends of the Hermitage to save "The Hermitage" from the wrecking ball. The Hermitage, which is one of the most important mid 1700’s houses in New Jersey, was formerly owned by Theodosia Barton Prevost, who later married Aaron Burr. It served as a strategic headquarters for General George Washington during the Revolutionary War and later, as a half way house for the abolitionist movement to protect and relocate slaves during the Civil War. Designated a National Historic Landmark for the excellence of its Gothic Revival Architecture, today it is one of New Jersey’s most important historical houses and New Jersey’s first National Historic Landmark. More about The Hermitage. In New Canaan, Liz was involved with the New Canaan Historical Society, the New Canaan Nature Center, and the Herb Society of America/New York. Inspired by his mother Richard L. Chilton, Jr. helped to establish the Mather Homestead Foundation in 2017 in order to presas a museum and community place for education and enjoyment. He and his wife Maureen have generously donated to make the Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center a space for all to enjoy and learn. The Hermitage, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

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Wildflower Garden < Back Christopher Cope Wildflower Garden Previous Next