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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

Southern New England, 1810-1825. Tulip poplar, oak, maple. 35" h. x 39" w. x 14 ½" d. < Back Windsor Settee First Floor - Keeping Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings Southern New England, 1810-1825. Tulip poplar, oak, maple. 35" h. x 39" w. x 14 ½" d. The two-person settee has an eleven-spindle back between bamboo-turned posts and a three-step oak crest rail. Carved arms with bamboo-turned arm supports and single spindles set into the shield-shaped tulip poplar seat; standing on six bamboo-turned legs and box stretchers. Settee would originally have been painted, though now stripped with a clear coat. The handholds, tapered rather than rounded, are unusual and suggest that the arms may be replacements. Previous Next

Probably Eastern Massachusetts, 1730-1760. Walnut, white pine; 31” h. x 36” w. x 19 ¼” d. < Back Dressing Table (or "Lowboy") First Floor - Dining Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings Probably Eastern Massachusetts, 1730-1760. Walnut, white pine; 31” h. x 36” w. x 19 ¼” d. The well designed and constructed dressing table has an over-hanging top with molded edges on front and sides, and front corners, over a full-width drawer above three smaller, side-by-side drawers, the middle drawer being shallower, and original brasses. Front skirt is ornately scalloped and includes two turned pendant drops; side skirts also scalloped. Case stands on four cabriole legs ending in pad feet. Condition is good. Previous Next

Southeastern New England, 1780-1810 Mahogany; 27" h. x 28" w. x 20" d. < Back Rectangular Table with Canted Corners First Floor - Parlor Furniture and Hard Furnishings Southeastern New England, 1780-1810 Mahogany; 27" h. x 28" w. x 20" d. An overhanging top with a thumbnail molded edge and canted corners; four turned and tapered legs ending in offset button feet. Table rails have a beaded bottom edge. Note: Canted corners were seldom if ever employed in late 18th century furniture. There is no way to determine when the canted corners on this table were cut. Previous Next

Objects described date from mid-18th to mid-19th centuries (not including 20th century reproductions). Condition of all is good considering age and use. < Back Fireplace Cooking and Hearth Utensils and Tools First Floor - Keeping Room Other Decorative Arts Objects described date from mid-18th to mid-19th centuries (not including 20th century reproductions). Condition of all is good considering age and use.  Pair of wrought iron andirons, penny feet with spit hooks, 14”h. (Provenance: Florene Maine; purchase price: $120.00)  3 pewter plates; unmarked, 8 ¼” d. – 16 ½” d.  Wrought iron 3-tine fork with twist handle (reproduction), 48” l.  Wrought iron ram’s horn handle peel, 45 ½” l.  Wrought iron crane, 40” h. x 55” l.  Trammel and two (9”) S-hooks, trammel: 37” l.  Small saw-tooth trammel (15” l.) with copper Betty lamp (5 ¼” l.) (Provenance: Morris House, Nov. 1977; purchase price: $110.00)  Copper and wrought iron frying pan with long handle, 19” l. (Provenance: Frank & Mildred Schulka, November 1967; price: $30.00)  Copper (and alloys) ‘gooseneck’ tea kettle, dovetailed construction; 12 ¼” h.  Wrought iron 3-legged kettle stand (reproduction) (Provenance: Florene Maine; purchase price: $120.00)  Brass and copper ladle and skimmer, each 20 ¼” l. (reproductions)  Bed warmer with turned maple handle, sunburst engraving on lid, 41” l.  Wrought iron tongs, 20 ½” l.  Ansonia Brass Co. brass bucket with wrought iron handle, 10 ½” d.; Ansonia, CT, patent 1951 Previous Next

Monroe County, FL < Back Dry Torugas Monroe County, FL 1935 Established: Size: 64,701 acres Visitors: 56,810 in 2018 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

Probably England, late 19th century or early 20th century. Mahogany; 17" h. x 19 ¼" w. x 15 ⅜" d. < Back Stool Second Floor - SE Bedroom Furniture and Hard Furnishings Probably England, late 19th century or early 20th century. Mahogany; 17" h. x 19 ¼" w. x 15 ⅜" d. The rectangular stool stands on Marlborough legs with outside beads and inside chamfers, joined by H-stretchers; medial stretcher is dovetailed into side stretchers. Slip seat upholstered in 20th century floral needlework (not removed), thus preventing full examination of slip seat. Previous Next

England; early 19th century. Mahogany; 17 ½” h. x 12 ½” w. x 20” l. < Back Stool Second Floor - Guest Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings England; early 19th century. Mahogany; 17 ½” h. x 12 ½” w. x 20” l. Molded edge top surrounding the upholstered slip seat in blue and white bird motif fabric; box stretcher, square tapered legs. Condition is good. Previous Next

Holbrook, AZ < Back Petrified Forest Holbrook, AZ 1962 Established: Size: 221,391 acres Visitors: 644,922 in 2018 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

< Back A Visit from St. Nicholas Sat., Dec 11, 2021, 11 am Good boys and girls enjoyed a visit with Santa and other activities such as "pin the nose on rudolph." They all left with a stocking of goodies! Previous Next

< Back Join lecture with the Garden Club of Darien: Celebrating 200 years of Frederick Law Olmsted Weds., March 30, 7 pm, Barn, free Celebrating 200 Years of Frederick Law Olmsted The 200th celebration of Frederick Law Olmsted’s birth is causing reflection and discourse about his work all over the country. The famed “Father of American Landscape Architecture,” and his family firm, had a definitive hand in over 500 commissions, that included 100 public parks and recreation areas, 200 private estates, 50 residential communities, and campuses for about 40 academic institutions. Among them, the creation of New York’s Central Park (1857), the Buffalo Park System (1868), Boston Park System (1870) and the United State Capitol (1874), are standouts in American landscape design. When he went on to do Belle Isle Park in Detroit, the 1880s, Lawrenceville School in 1883, and Stanford University in 1886, his fame caused his firm to win the bid for the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Bryn Mawr College in 1895 and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina from 1895 to 1900. Therefore, it is our privilege to welcome Jonathan Olmsted, one of Frederick’s descendants, to highlight the life and works of his vaulted ancestor, illustrated with stunning visuals including photos and plans. Both Frederick Law Olmsted, commonly referred to as FLO, and Jonathan Olmsted, were descended from James Olmsted, who came to America from England in 1632, and was one of the founders of Hartford, Connecticut, where FLO was later born. Jonathan Olmsted was born in Boston in 1942, attended Phillips Exeter Academy, graduated from Stanford University in 1964, and for the last 45 years has lived in Darien, Connecticut with his wife Janet. He was a banker in New York, London, and San Francisco for 15 years. Then he was President of Cameron Communications, a small presentation consulting firm for 30 years before he retired. His scintillating presentation will highlight at least a dozen of Olmsted’s major projects. Please join us for this event celebrating Olmsted's remarkable legacy. Previous Next

50 mi E of Fresno, CA < Back Sequoia 50 mi E of Fresno, CA 1890 Established: Size: 404,064 acres Visitors: 1,153,198 in 2022 Summary Sequoia National Park, located in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, is renowned for its stunning landscapes and iconic giant sequoia trees. Home to some of the largest trees on Earth, including the famous General Sherman Tree, the park offers visitors a chance to marvel at the sheer size and beauty of these ancient giants. In addition to the towering sequoias, the park features rugged mountain terrain, deep canyons, and picturesque alpine meadows. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot black bears, mule deer, and diverse bird species. With its breathtaking scenery and abundant natural wonders, Sequoia National Park offers a memorable experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Wildlife Sequoia National Park is not only famous for its majestic giant sequoia trees but also for its diverse wildlife. The park's varied ecosystems support a wide range of animal species, including black bears, mule deer, mountain lions, and bobcats. Birdwatchers can spot a variety of birds, from colorful songbirds to majestic raptors like bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Additionally, the park's rivers and streams are home to trout and other aquatic species. Wildlife enthusiasts can explore the park's trails and meadows, offering ample opportunities to observe and appreciate the natural beauty and biodiversity of Sequoia National Park. Sounds of the Park Things to Do In the warmer months, visitors can go day hiking, overnight backpacking, camping, or driving through the famous Tunnel Log. In the winter, visitors to Sequoia National Park can go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Hiking Snowshoeing Camping When to Visit Sequoia National Park's climate varies significantly by elevation, as temperatures decrease with increasing altitude. Summers are generally warm and dry, while winters are cold and snowy. Like most parks, crowds are highest during the summer. Therefore, the spring (May) and fall (September-October) would be the best time to visit. Ties to Stephen Mather Sequoia National Park has a Stephen Mather plaque located in the Giant Forest. Furthermore, visitors can take Mather Drive, a road on the park's Ash Mountain. Fun Fact Sequoia National Park's General Sherman tree is the largest-known single tree on Earth by volume. Previous Next