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< Back Scholars Lecture featuring Thomas Wickman: "Winter's Past and Winter's Future" Weds., Jan 26, 7 pm, Barn, $25/15 members As winter weather in the twenty-first century Northeast becomes milder, this lecture asks what we can learn from the more frigid winters of the Little Ice Age (c. 1300-1850). What good came from a stable snowpack or frozen rivers—and for whom? Indigenous communities made preparations to live well in winter, crafting footwear, storing food, telling stories about winters past, and making winter a season of abundance. New England settlers were slow adapt to the new climate, and colonists imposed new kinds of winter suffering on Native people. This lecture suggests that a “vernal bias” in the historiography of early North America has obscured rich and contested winter histories. Studying winter ecology and reckoning with winter events should help people redefine settler colonialism, recognize Indigenous continuance, and imagine possible responses to anthropogenic climate change. Tom Wickman is the author of Snowshoe Country: An Environmental and Cultural History of Winter in the Early American Northeast. He received his PhD from Harvard University and is associate professor of History and American Studies at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Previous Next

Buzzzzzz.... Peet is on the property periodically checking on his bees! We'll let you know when he comes by so he can tell you all about it! < Back Beekeeping with Peet - ongoing Buzzzzzz.... Peet is on the property periodically checking on his bees! We'll let you know when he comes by so he can tell you all about it! 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

244 mi SE of Salt Lake City, UT < Back Canyonlands 244 mi SE of Salt Lake City, UT 1964 Established: Size: 337,598 acres Visitors: 733,996 in 2019 Summary Canyonlands National Park, situated in southeastern Utah, is a mesmerizing expanse of rugged landscape sculpted by the forces of erosion over millions of years. Spanning over 337,000 acres, the park is divided into four distinct districts, each offering its own unique blend of towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, winding rivers, and expansive plateaus. From the iconic vistas of Island in the Sky to the labyrinthine canyons of the Needles District and the remote wilderness of the Maze, Canyonlands captivates visitors with its unparalleled beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure, including hiking, backpacking, off-road exploring, and stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the United States. Wildlife Canyonlands National Park, situated in southeastern Utah, is a mesmerizing expanse of rugged landscape sculpted by the forces of erosion over millions of years. Spanning over 337,000 acres, the park is divided into four distinct districts, each offering its own unique blend of towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, winding rivers, and expansive plateaus. From the iconic vistas of Island in the Sky to the labyrinthine canyons of the Needles District and the remote wilderness of the Maze, Canyonlands captivates visitors with its unparalleled beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure, including hiking, backpacking, off-road exploring, and stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the United States. Sounds of the Park Things to Do Visitors to Canyonlands National Park can enjoy hiking, backpacking, auto touring, horseback riding, stargazing, and more. Note that many park services are reduced in winter, and roads may be closed due to snow and ice. When to Visit Canyonlands National Park has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold, moderately snowy winters. Precipitation is rare year-round. The transitional seasons of spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) have the most pleasant weather for visiting, though crowds are highest during this time. As a result, it is recommended to visit during the week rather than during the weekend. Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Famous outlaw Butch Cassidy had a hideout in what is now Canyonlands National Park called Robbers Roost. Previous Next

< Back American Poetry with Samantha Gault: Inaugural Poems Weds., Jan 19, 7 pm, parlor, $20/$15 members One year after Amanda Gorman's memorable reading of "The Hill We Climb" we'll look at the cultural impact of her poem and read it alongside the inaugural poems of Maya Angelou, Miller Williams, Elizabeth Alexander, and Richard Blanco.... perhaps Frost too Previous Next

2,600 mi SW of Honolulu, HI < Back American Samoa 2,600 mi SW of Honolulu, HI 1988 Established: Size: 8,256.67 acres Visitors: 28,626 in 2018 Summary American Samoa National Park, located in the South Pacific Ocean, encompasses pristine tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and volcanic landscapes across three main islands: Tutuila, Taʻū, and Ofu. This unique park offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Samoan people, as well as stunning natural beauty. With rugged coastlines, white sandy beaches, and lush forests, the park provides opportunities for hiking, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can explore ancient Polynesian villages, learn about traditional Samoan culture, and experience the warm hospitality of the local community. American Samoa National Park is not only a sanctuary for diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems but also a place of cultural significance, where nature and tradition come together in harmony. Wildlife American Samoa National Park is home to a diverse array of marine and terrestrial wildlife, thriving in its tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Beneath the waves, vibrant coral reefs teem with colorful fish, sea turtles, and other marine creatures, making it a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Along the shores, endangered species like the green sea turtle find refuge, while seabirds soar above the cliffs and coastal areas. Inland, the park's lush rainforests harbor native bird species such as the rare and endemic Samoan moa, as well as fruit bats, lizards, and insects. Despite its small size, the park boasts incredible biodiversity, offering visitors a unique opportunity to observe and appreciate the wonders of the South Pacific's natural world. Sounds of the Park Things to Do Visitors to the National Park of American Samoa can go hiking, snorkeling, or birdwatching. To immerse visitors in local Samoan culture, visitors can partake in the Homestay program, staying with a local family instead of at a hotel (though as of 2024, this program is unavailable until further notice). When to Visit American Samoa has a tropical climate with warm weather year round (around 80 degrees Fahrenheit on average). Though no time of year is truly free from rain, the dry season occurs from around May to October. Since the middle part of the dry season (June-August) tends to be busier, the best time to visit the National Park of American Samoa would be either early or late in the dry season (either May or September-October). Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact The National Park of American Samoa is the only unit of land operated by the National Park Service to be located in the Southern Hemisphere. Previous Next

Maple, pine; 36” h. x 18” w. Circa 1830-1850. < Back Converted Arrow-back to Comb-back Windsor Rocking Chair Attic Furniture and Hard Furnishings Maple, pine; 36” h. x 18” w. Circa 1830-1850. Converted from an arrow-back chair to a rocking chair with comb-back crest; rockers are later additions; Previous Next

With sloped shoulders, a white ground with central polychrome flower spray and flower finial on lid; 5 ¼” h. < Back Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy with Lid First Floor - Parlor Ceramics and Glass and Objects of Vertu With sloped shoulders, a white ground with central polychrome flower spray and flower finial on lid; 5 ¼” h. Condition is good; some loss of gilt decoration; unmarked; circa 1790. 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

Everglades City, FL < Back Everglades Everglades City, FL 1934 Established: Size: 1,508,976 acres Visitors: 1,155,193 in 2022 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

We learned the art of hand-sewn improvisational patchwork quilting from quilt maker, fabric designer, and author Denyse Schmidt! < Back Modern Patchwork Quilting with Denyse Schmidt - Feb. 1, 2023 We learned the art of hand-sewn improvisational patchwork quilting from quilt maker, fabric designer, and author Denyse Schmidt! Previous Next

... as told by Gordon Hastings < Back The Story of the Mather Homestead ... ... as told by Gordon Hastings Previous Next