4 ¼” h. x 10 ½” d. with a 1” foot-ring; unmarked; circa late 18th/early 19th century. < Back Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Footed Punchbowl First Floor - Dining Room Ceramics and Glass and Objects of Vertu 4 ¼” h. x 10 ½” d. with a 1” foot-ring; unmarked; circa late 18th/early 19th century. Against a white ground, painted with amethyst and orange floral sprays and swags; interior rim and foot decorated with rose diapered ribbon pattern; polychrome floral spray at interior center. Condition is good; no breaks, chips. Previous Next

The well served as the source of water for the house—as well as a crucial hiding place during Tory raids. < Back The Well Listen to Audio Tour for this location: 00:00 / 00:37 The well served as the source of water for the house—as well as a crucial hiding place during Tory raids. Image Gallery Photo of the well today 1929 photo of the well with the sunken garden in the background Site Description The well was the source of water for the house when the home was built in 1778. In addition to being used as a water source, it had a very special use as a place to hide valuables from the Tories. Sarah Mather hid over 100 pounds of clothing and silver belonging to both the Mather family and their neighbors. Clothing was very valuable as they made it themselves from the flax and other materials grown on the property. The Tories raided this house in 1781. They stole clothes, animals, silver and other valuables. Some silver that was hidden in a secret compartment inside the house was not stolen. Please proceed to Site #3: The Garden - which is only a few feet away. 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

American, probably Southern New Jersey or farther south, 1790-1810. Walnut; resinous pine; 28 ½" h. x 30" w. x 19 ¼" d. < Back Dressing Table Second Floor - SE Bedroom Furniture and Hard Furnishings American, probably Southern New Jersey or farther south, 1790-1810. Walnut; resinous pine; 28 ½" h. x 30" w. x 19 ¼" d. Rectangular standing on four square, slightly tapered legs without inside chamfers. Case holds a wide center drawer flanked by nearly square drawers, all of which have scratch-beaded edges. Case skirt is scalloped in a Philadelphia-area design. Two-board top is a replacement made of reused walnut; evidence of hinges visible on the underside of one board suggest former use as table leaves, now reshaped and remolded. Proper left front leg has a mortise partially cut inside the drawer cavity; probably a mistake by the maker. Brasses are replacements. Previous Next

England, 1875-1925 Mahogany; 35” h. x 25” w. x 21” d. < Back Open Armchair Second Floor - SW Bedroom Furniture and Hard Furnishings England, 1875-1925 Mahogany; 35” h. x 25” w. x 21” d. Upholstered in red, with a straight crest; arms attach to S-shaped supports joining seat frame near the center of the side rails; box stretchers, and Marlborough legs. Condition is good, as possible to examine; upholstery was not removed to examine the frame. Previous Next

< Back Easter Egg Roll and a visit with the Easter Bun Sat., April 16, 10:30 am Our second annual old fashioned Easter egg roll on the Mather Homestead lawn will involve, of course, egg rolling (wooden egg and spoon provided), plus outdoor games, Easter treats and live music! Previous Next

< Back Fall Harvest Festival Sat., Oct. 22, 10 am Fall Harvest Festival at the Homestead! Family fun featuring pony rides, craft, games, food and more! Previous Next

Probably England; likely modern in late 18th century style. Mahogany; two: 39 ½" h. x 27 ¼" w. x 23" d.; #105: 43 ½” x 22 ¾” 26 ½”; no. 118: 37 ¼” h. x 24 ⅜” w. x 24” d. < Back Four Upholstered Open Armchairs First Floor - Parlor Furniture and Hard Furnishings Probably England; likely modern in late 18th century style. Mahogany; two: 39 ½" h. x 27 ¼" w. x 23" d.; #105: 43 ½” x 22 ¾” 26 ½”; no. 118: 37 ¼” h. x 24 ⅜” w. x 24” d. In the Chippendale style, with an upholstered straight crest (or serpentine crest for no. 118), over a rectangular back and seat; carved ogee arms with volute handholds; Marlborough legs with H-stretcher. No. 105 in fair condition with repaired leg and loose stretcher; no. 118 has a patched left front leg. Note: Frames were not examined because upholstery was not removed, thus preventing definitive determination of age. Previous Next

Southwestern Connecticut or New York, 1760-1800 Cherry, whitewood; 73 ⅞" h. x 42 ¼" w. x 20 ⅝" d. < Back High Chest of Drawers (or “Highboy”) First Floor - Dining Room Furniture and Hard Furnishings Southwestern Connecticut or New York, 1760-1800 Cherry, whitewood; 73 ⅞" h. x 42 ¼" w. x 20 ⅝" d. The two-part high chest of drawers has an upper case containing five full-width graduated drawers, a projecting cornice, and fluted chamfered corners with lambrequins at the top and bottom. Lower case stands on cabriole legs ending in pad feet; a full width drawer over three smaller, side-by-side drawers, the middle of which is shallower. The decoratively undercut front skirt has a central three-lobed drop flanked by ogees. Brasses are replacements; former holes are plugged. Drawer linings are 3/4-inch thick, indicative of manufacture in a small town or village. An oral history maintains that this high chest has long been in the Mather homestead since 1933. Previous Next

American Farmstead Cheese & Wine Education with Plum Plums Cheese < Back Plum Plums - November 10, 2022 American Farmstead Cheese & Wine Education with Plum Plums Cheese Previous Next

< Back Grow Along - create your own cutting garden Weds., Feb 15, 23, March 9, 30 "Grow Along" at Mather - create your own cutting garden Previous Next

Including: Large circular rug with crème ground and center floral burst in pinks and blue, encircled by C-scrolls; 8’ 7” d. Semicircular rug with red and pink roses against crème ground; 3’ 2” x 1’ 7”. < Back Two American Hooked Rugs, Wool and Cotton Second Floor - Guest Room Other Decorative Arts Including: Large circular rug with crème ground and center floral burst in pinks and blue, encircled by C-scrolls; 8’ 7” d. Semicircular rug with red and pink roses against crème ground; 3’ 2” x 1’ 7”. 1) Condition is fair with 4” hole on edge and old repairs. 2) condition is good, colors vibrant. Both rugs handmade; dating to the first quarter 20th century. Previous Next