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Portrait: Pastel on paper; 18 ½” h. x 13 ¾” w. (sight size). Letter-book: Brown ink on wove paper, 6 ¼” x 8” sheets; 11 sheets, plus three stamped, folded, and postmarked family letters, 3” x 5”. < Back Early American Portrait, Margaret Henderson and Letter-Book Archive First Floor - Parlor Fine Art Portrait: Pastel on paper; 18 ½” h. x 13 ¾” w. (sight size). Letter-book: Brown ink on wove paper, 6 ¼” x 8” sheets; 11 sheets, plus three stamped, folded, and postmarked family letters, 3” x 5”. In half pose profile, a young Margaret Henderson with upswept hair style, in a high-waisted blue gown with double white neck ruffle, against a grey ground. Portrait is well executed and in very good condition. In period gilded molded frame, glazed. Circa 1825-1830. Together with Margaret Henderson’s (b. 1805) Schoolgirl Letter-book, dating over a period of three months in 1820 while she attended the Linden Hall School in Lititz, Pennsylvania. [Founded in 1746, the Linden Hall School is the oldest day and boarding school for girls in the United States.] Linden Hall School confirms from their archives that Margaret Henderson was fifteen years old when she enrolled at the school in 1820. The letter-book, containing a series of weekly letters to Margaret’s parents, and three family letters to her over a three month period, October to December 1820, comprises an important record of life for a teenage schoolgirl in rural Pennsylvania in the early nineteenth century. Excerpts, for example, detail the difficulties of Margaret’s buggy transport traveling from Shippensburg to Lititz, Pennsylvania, a journey of two days and about 80 miles. In another, she writes of her loneliness and longing to hear news from her family. Another letter describes the distressful news received by her friend at the school of the accidental death of a brother. In a letter from Margaret’s mother, she writes of Margaret’s sister giving birth alone with no one to assist other than “the girl” (presumably, a servant), and of the sister’s poor condition and potential impending death as a result of the childbirth. Documents such as these letters, along with a portrait of the writer serve as an important historical record, capturing details of daily life in early nineteenth century America—these are rare artifacts and survivors. Previous Next

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 GARDEN TEA 2025 Our fifth annual Garden Tea on May 22, 2025 will feature beverages in the historic garden, followed by hearty tea boxes on the lawn, and lecture in the barn featuring Fred Landman of Sleepy Cat Farm in Greenwich. MORE about the event. The Garden Tea will raise funds for property enhancement projects identified in a recent master plan for the property created by Heritage Landscapes. We proudly recognize our sponsors both in advance of an at the tea event. We also seek in-kind donations to our raffle. Sponsorship offers a great marketing opportunity with the 150+ attendees! $5,000 Presenting Sponsor 8 Garden Tea Tickets Garden Tea "presented by xxx" Banner on corner of Brookside & Stephen Mather Roads recognizing sponsor with logo Product placement at event Company logo/name prominently displayed at the Garden Tea Recognition on website and social media - dedicated, boosted post $2,500 Rose 4 Garden Tea Tickets Company logo/name prominently displayed at the Garden Tea Recognition on website and social media - dedicated, boosted post Company promotional material included in gift bag $1,000 Tulip 2 Garden Tea Tickets Company logo/name prominently displayed at the Garden Tea Recognition on website and social media - dedicated, boosted post Company promotional material included in gift bag $500 Lily 1 Garden Tea Ticket Company name listed on website, social media and at event Recognition on website and social media Company business card included in gift bag $250 Daffodil Company name listed on website, social media and at event Company business card included in gift bag SPONSOR PAYMENT via CC THANK YOU TO OUR PAST SPONSORS! FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL 2024 Our sixth 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, hay rides and more! 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 .

KIDS PROGRAMS Bringing History to Life! UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KIDS No events at the moment KIDS PROGRAMS In addition to kids and family events which happen throughout the year, including Fall Harvest Festival, Night at the Museum, Book Club with Samantha and more, we offer custom programs for group visits. Home School groups, Pre School Field Trips, Play Groups, Scout troops etc. - we will customize to the ages of your group, season, interests, etc. Call us to schedule! "Escape the Tories" The Mather Homestead during Revolutionary Times Kids will learn about the Revolutionary War, a time when Tories came across the Long Island Sound to raid homes in Darien, then Middlesex Parish. Includes: - Tour of the 1778 home - Scavenger Hunt or "Escape the Tories" (depending on age) - Craft our outdoor games "Colonial Living" The Sustainable/Homesteading lifestyle during Colonial Times Kids will learn about how people lived back in Colonial Times when Joseph and Sarah Mather built the Mather Homestead (1778) on 100 acres of farmland. Includes: - Visit to the Mather "keeping room" where Sarah Mather baked bread in the beehive oven for her 11 children. - Interactive presentation with workbook in the barn. - Homesteading stations: candle making, embroidery, butter making. - Dress up in the playhouse and Colonial games. "Become a Junior Ranger" The National Parks & Stephen Mather Kids will learn about the National Parks and Stephen Mather's important role in creating the National Park Service and the system of 63 parks that we enjoy today. They will earn a "Stephen Mather Junior Ranger Badge". Includes: - Interactive presentation about the National Parks with workbook - Fun games - Walk through Mather Meadows - Craft, e.g., leaf painting "Become a Junior Docent" We invite kids to learn an abbreviated tour of the house and then to lead others through the house! We will provid e you with tour materials and you invite your family/friends to tour. "Tea Party!" Kids will drink tea, nibble on scones and other goodies, and learn about etiquette, e.g., what to do with that pinkie finger! After tea, we'll do a craft and, play tea party games and read "How to Behave at a Tea Party". Tea party in the garden, weather permitting, or in the barn. All programs are $30/child, up to 20 children per visit. 1 1/2 hours. Mutually agreeable time. Please contact Cristi Mohr at cristimohr@matherhomestead.org to plan a group visit. Click here to test your knowledge at KIDS CORNER Past Kids Events

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