Winter paint & sip led by our expert Lisa Thoren! < Back Paint & Sip! Winter paint & sip led by our expert Lisa Thoren! Previous Next

Sizes range 11 ¾” h. – 7 ½” h.; early 20th century. < Back Three Painted Cast Iron Door Stops First Floor - Parlor Other Decorative Arts Sizes range 11 ¾” h. – 7 ½” h.; early 20th century. Images are flowers, basket, a pair of black kittens; one repainted, none marked. Previous Next

268 mi S of Salt Lake City, UT < Back Bryce Canyon 268 mi S of Salt Lake City, UT 1928 Established: Size: 35,835 acres Visitors: 2,354,660 in 2022 Summary Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, is renowned for its breathtaking landscape of intricate rock formations known as hoodoos, carved by erosion over millions of years. The park's main amphitheater, Bryce Amphitheater, showcases a mesmerizing array of colorful spires, arches, and cliffs, illuminated by the ever-changing light of dawn and dusk. Visitors can explore the park's network of trails, which wind through pine forests and along the canyon rim, offering panoramic views of the otherworldly scenery below. Beyond its geological wonders, Bryce Canyon is also a haven for wildlife, with opportunities to spot mule deer, mountain lions, and a variety of bird species. Whether marveling at the surreal rock formations, stargazing under the vast desert sky, or hiking among ancient bristlecone pines, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a truly unforgettable experience amidst the wonders of the American Southwest. Wildlife Bryce Canyon National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife that thrives in its unique high desert ecosystem. Among the park's inhabitants are mule deer, often seen grazing in meadows or wandering along the canyon rim, while elusive mountain lions roam the more remote areas. Birdwatchers can spot a variety of species, including California condors, peregrine falcons, and Steller's jays, soaring above the hoodoos or nesting in the park's ponderosa pine forests. Smaller creatures such as golden-mantled ground squirrels and chipmunks scurry among the rocks, while reptiles like the plateau lizard bask in the sun. As visitors explore Bryce Canyon's trails and overlooks, they are treated to glimpses of the park's rich and diverse wildlife, adding to the allure of this spectacular natural wonder. Sounds of the Park Things to Do Visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, stargazing, and more. In the winter months, activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available as well. When to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park has a dry continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Precipitation is relatively rare year-round. The park is typically busiest during the summer months (June-August). For mild temperatures and lower crowd levels, visit during the late spring (May) or fall (September-October). Ties to Stephen Mather Bryce Canyon National Park has a Stephen Mather plaque just outside the park's main visitor center. Bryce Canyon was designated as a national park in 1928, during Mather's directorship of the National Park Service. Despite this, Stephen Mather initially wanted Bryce Canyon to be a state park given its small size. Fun Fact Though hoodoos can be found on every continent, Bryce Canyon National Park has the largest density of hoodoos on earth. Previous Next

Leah Jones, pastry chef at Grace Farms and owner of Black Market Bread, led us in a colonial breadmaking workshop which involved baking AND tasting! First, Leah gave us a little history on bread and some information which helped us understand the "gluten free" craze a little better. Then we tasted various breads, baked by Leah, and drank wines chosen to pair with each bread. Finally, we made our own bread! < Back Colonial Breadmaking with Leah Jones - March 10, 2022 Leah Jones, pastry chef at Grace Farms and owner of Black Market Bread, led us in a colonial breadmaking workshop which involved baking AND tasting! First, Leah gave us a little history on bread and some information which helped us understand the "gluten free" craze a little better. Then we tasted various breads, baked by Leah, and drank wines chosen to pair with each bread. Finally, we made our own bread! Previous Next

Cherry; 1780-1800. Connecticut or Southern Massachusetts; 37 ¾” h. x 21” w. x 17 ¾” d. < Back Carved Ribbon-Back Armchair Second Floor - NW Sitting Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings Cherry; 1780-1800. Connecticut or Southern Massachusetts; 37 ¾” h. x 21” w. x 17 ¾” d. A curved and pierced crest rail over three conforming pierced slats or ribbons, curved arms, upholstered square seat, H-stretcher with recessed front stretcher, four straight tapered legs, molded at front. Condition: A well rendered example of this form however all four legs have been ended-out, a condition issue apparently known when the chair was purchased in 1964; otherwise in good refinished condition. Bertha McPherson stitched seat needlework. Previous Next

The Mather Homestead property originally consisted of 100 acres in 1778, which is what it took for a family to sustain itself. By 1906, when Stephen Tyng Mather acquired the property, it consisted of 22 acres. Stephen Mather hired Walter Burley Griffin, a renowned architect and landscape architect to create the sunken garden at the Homestead.

Author and Textile Designer Heather Ross brought her love of all things hand-made and resourceful living to MH. Heather is passionate about teaching new uses for the creative arts and skills that even the earliest residents of Mather Homestead relied upon. During HAND EMBROIDERY FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN, Heather will helped workshoppers develop their own personalized embroidery design, and demonstrated simple ways to complete a very special project to take home. ​ Heather Ross is an American illustrator, textile designer, and author. Much of her work explores themes of resourceful and creative living, the natural world, and handmade, drawing often on both her rural upbringing and an early career as a naturalist. She is known for her highly collectible textile designs and books written for the handmade and craft markets, and as the originator and host of a popular series of weekend craft retreats held around the country. Her critically acclaimed memoir, How To Catch a Frog, is based on her childhood and early success as an entrepreneur and designer. She has also illustrated numerous children’s books, including the award winning Fergus and Zeke series and the “Crafty Chloe” books, the latter a winner of the Kirkus Star, and is both author and illustrator BOYS, an Illustrated Field Guide. She is represented by Steven Malk of Writers House, and lives in New York City and the Catskill Mountains with her husband, daughter and dog. < Back Embroidery with Heather Ross - July 28, 2021 Author and Textile Designer Heather Ross brought her love of all things hand-made and resourceful living to MH. Heather is passionate about teaching new uses for the creative arts and skills that even the earliest residents of Mather Homestead relied upon. During HAND EMBROIDERY FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN, Heather will helped workshoppers develop their own personalized embroidery design, and demonstrated simple ways to complete a very special project to take home. Heather Ross is an American illustrator, textile designer, and author. Much of her work explores themes of resourceful and creative living, the natural world, and handmade, drawing often on both her rural upbringing and an early career as a naturalist. She is known for her highly collectible textile designs and books written for the handmade and craft markets, and as the originator and host of a popular series of weekend craft retreats held around the country. Her critically acclaimed memoir, How To Catch a Frog, is based on her childhood and early success as an entrepreneur and designer. She has also illustrated numerous children’s books, including the award winning Fergus and Zeke series and the “Crafty Chloe” books, the latter a winner of the Kirkus Star, and is both author and illustrator BOYS, an Illustrated Field Guide. She is represented by Steven Malk of Writers House, and lives in New York City and the Catskill Mountains with her husband, daughter and dog. Previous Next

Back by popular demand, the Con Fuoco String (Italian for “with fire”) Quartet returned to the Homestead. These accomplished young musicians performed an hour long program including Bethoven's String Quartet in C minor, Mozart's String Quartet in C Major and holiday music. < Back Con Fuoco String Quarter - December 5, 2021 Back by popular demand, the Con Fuoco String (Italian for “with fire”) Quartet returned to the Homestead. These accomplished young musicians performed an hour long program including Bethoven's String Quartet in C minor, Mozart's String Quartet in C Major and holiday music. Previous Next

The Mather Homestead was built in 1778 and has been impeccably preserved over two and a half centuries.

25 women created gorgeous Valentines arrangement while enjoying rosé prosecco, bon bons by Carolyn's Absolutely Fabulous Events, and time with friends old and new. Image courtesy of Mary Wade, Leap Year Images < Back Valentine's Flower Arranging - February 10, 2022 25 women created gorgeous Valentines arrangement while enjoying rosé prosecco, bon bons by Carolyn's Absolutely Fabulous Events, and time with friends old and new. Image courtesy of Mary Wade, Leap Year Images Previous Next

Tucson, AZ < Back Saguaro Tucson, AZ 1994 Established: Size: 91,716 acres Visitors: 908,194 in 2022 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

Southwestern Connecticut, possibly Milford area, 1775-1810 Maple, rush seat; 44 ½" h. x 19 ⅛" w. x 14 ½" d. < Back Molded Slat Back Side Chair Second Floor - SW Bedroom Furniture and Hard Furnishings Southwestern Connecticut, possibly Milford area, 1775-1810 Maple, rush seat; 44 ½" h. x 19 ⅛" w. x 14 ½" d. The black-painted turned chair has a downward-curving crest and stay rail that enclose four molded vertical slats between turned posts, each with two baluster turnings and finials. The turned front legs have rings between and above double turned front stretchers. Side and rear stretchers join the legs. Condition: Refinished, all feet have been ended-out by 2 ¾” Previous Next