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Back in the 18th century, some things were the same (three meals a day, sleeping and playing), but some things were VERY different! The family operated a farm and everyone had to help. They got up really early in the morning to do chores - like milking the cows and collecting the eggs. If kids were lucky, they went to school. They had toys, but definitely no video games - have you seen jumping jacks? the ball and cup? and marbles? KIDS AT MATHER The Mather Homestead Foundation is dedicated to bringing history to life for kids of all ages through various programs. Click on "more" for more info. Tours Tours of the house are customized for kids to be interactive and fun. Learn about Revolutionary War History and Stephen Mather, the first Director of the National Park Service. We are happy to follow up the tour with a scavenger hunt which will lead kids around the property in search of silver! By appointment. 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 provide you with tour materials and you invite your family/friends to tour. Events for kids We have many events geared towards educating kids while having fun. Events include kids book club, Night at the Museum, Fall Harvest Festival and more. MORE Visit the Homestead for a customized program We offer programs for kids which can be scheduled at any time. Great for homeschool groups, play groups, scouts, etc. MORE Teen Board The Mather Homestead teen board, now in its second year, offers high schoolers (grades 9 to 12) an opportunity to both contribute to and learn from this treasured National Historic Landmark. MORE Essay Contest The Teen Board will chose an essay topic each fall with November deadline for submissions. Open to middle schoolers. MORE UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KIDS Election Day Camp for Young Creators, K-5 Nov 03, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Spend the day creating art inspired by the original WPA National Parks posters. Children will go home with four gorgeous projects as well as a little knowledge about our National Parks, the WPA, and how The Mather Homestead is part of the National Parks story. For students in grades K-5. Buy Tickets

Alamosa, CO < Back Great Sand Dunes Alamosa, CO 2004 Established: Size: 149,028 acres Visitors: 527,546 in 2029 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

Fine 20th century reproductions of mid-18th century styles. Dish top, Pennsylvania-type ‘birdcage’, urn-turned pillar or pedestal, plain feet; mahogany; 25” h. x 12 ½” d. Candlestand with scalloped ‘Piecrust’ top; over columnar pillar above reel and ball turnings; mahogany; 24 ½” h. x 12 ¼” d. < Back Two Chippendale-Style Candlestands First Floor - Parlor Furniture and Hard Furnishings Fine 20th century reproductions of mid-18th century styles. Dish top, Pennsylvania-type ‘birdcage’, urn-turned pillar or pedestal, plain feet; mahogany; 25” h. x 12 ½” d. Candlestand with scalloped ‘Piecrust’ top; over columnar pillar above reel and ball turnings; mahogany; 24 ½” h. x 12 ¼” d. Condition of both is good. Previous Next

Robin Hoffman presented a lecture: American Vistas - from the Hudson River School to the National Parks < Back ArtScapes Lecture - Jan. 18, 2023 Robin Hoffman presented a lecture: American Vistas - from the Hudson River School to the National Parks Previous Next

White Pine County, NV < Back Great Basin White Pine County, NV 1986 Established: Size: 77,180 acres Visitors: 144,875 in 2021 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

25” h. x 25” w.; circa late 19th /early 20th century. < Back Tombstone-Shaped Cast Iron Fireback First Floor - Parlor Other Decorative Arts 25” h. x 25” w.; circa late 19th /early 20th century. With cast figures of Colonial man and woman in pastoral scene. Note: No documented copies of this fireback have been found; the images suggest the Colonial Revival period of the early 20th century. Copies from original 18th c. casting molds continue to be made thus rendering absolute dating of a used and sooty fireback virtually impossible. Previous Next

Mahogany, white pine; Boston; 1750-1770; original brasses. 31" h. x 35" w. x 21 ½" d. < Back Block-Front Prospect Bureau Table (Kneehole Desk) First Floor - Parlor Furniture and Hard Furnishings Mahogany, white pine; Boston; 1750-1770; original brasses. 31" h. x 35" w. x 21 ½" d. The façade of the rectangular case of drawers has a recessed central cupboard with tombstone panel door below a shallow drawer with scalloped front and full-width drawer at the top. Top drawer has a recessed center with flanking curved projections. These swellings continued down stacks of three additional graduated drawers. The case has a conforming top with thumbnail-molded edge and stands on six straight bracket feet with ogee scalloping in the front. Brasses appear original; the bottom 2 ¾” of front feet are replacements, as are the rear feet; new glue blocks inside the feet; otherwise good condition, and a rare object. Previous Next

Maple, rush seat. New England; 41 ½” x 22” x 16”; circa 1750-1780, and later. < Back Queen Anne Armchair First Floor - Dining Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings Maple, rush seat. New England; 41 ½” x 22” x 16”; circa 1750-1780, and later. Yoke crest rail over a Queen Anne solid splat, woven rush seat; ring-and-ball front stretcher, Spanish (or brush) feet. Condition: Considerable restoration: new front feet; rear feet have been ended-out. Shape of arms is inconsistent with the form, and thus determined to be replacements. Previous Next

Guardian's of the Valley: John muir < Back Dean King - April 18, 2023 at the Darien Library Guardian's of the Valley: John muir Previous Next

Probably Connecticut, 1750-1800. Tulip poplar; 18 ¾" h. x 6 ¼" w. x 4 ¼" d. < Back Pipe Box with One Drawer First Floor - Keeping Room Other Decorative Arts Probably Connecticut, 1750-1800. Tulip poplar; 18 ¾" h. x 6 ¼" w. x 4 ¼" d. Tall rectangular box tapers slightly from its molded base to the open top with broken-ogee cutting. A shaped tang at the top of the backboard has a hole for hanging. Lower drawer with brass pull; “DW” is scratched into the drawer bottom. This is a classic New England pipe box in old surface. Containing two reproduction white clay pipes and pipe pieces from Colonial Williamsburg and Germany; longest 16” l. Previous Next

Great Camp Sagamore and the Rustic Movement, plus stories of the Vanderbilt Family < Back Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt III - June 23, 2022 Great Camp Sagamore and the Rustic Movement, plus stories of the Vanderbilt Family Previous Next