Stephen Mather, an avid conservationist and the first Director of the National Park Service, is the "father of the modern national park system." STEPHEN TYNG MATHER AND THE NATIONAL PARKS Numerous National Parks have a plaque dedicated to Stephen Mather. The inscription reads: "He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved unimpaired for future generations. There will never come an end to the good that he has done." The National Park System traces its roots all the way back to 1864, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Valley Grant Act, thereby protecting the Northern California landscape as California's first state park and one of the first such parks in the country. Eight years later in 1872, Yellowstone became the first National Park (Yosemite became a National Park in 1890). By 1915, there were nine parks in the system, but with little oversight and accessibility for the public. That's where Stephen Mather came in, determined to expand the system and make it accessible for the people. He lobbied for the creation of a National Park Service and became its first director in 1917. Under his direction, the US more than doubled the land in the park system and made the parks accessible to the people. Many consider Mather to be the "father of our modern national park system." Today, the National Park Service manages 431 individual units covering more than 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories. These include 63 National Parks such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Acadia etc., plus other natural, historical, and recreational properties with various title designations. The NPS employs 20,000 people and has more than 279,000 volunteers. The agency is charged with preserving the ecological and historical integrity of the places entrusted to its management and with making them available for public use and enjoyment. The Yosemite Valley Grant Act 1864 In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Valley Grant Act, creating California's first state park and one of the first such parks in the country, “upon the express conditions that the premises shall be held for public use, resort, and recreation.” Yosemite National Park was designated a National Park by an Act of Congress on October 1, 1890, making it the third national park in the United States, after Yellowstone (1872) and Sequoia (1890). The Early National Park System est. 1872 The Yellowstone National Park Act, signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, established Yellowstone as the world's first true national park. It preserved two million acres of land in Montana and Wyoming to be "dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." It placed the park under the control of the Secretary of the Interior and gave the Secretary responsibility for preserving all timber, mineral deposits, geologic wonders, and other resources within the park. Antiquities Act 1906 The Antiquities Act, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt on June 8, 1906, grew out of a movement to protect the prehistoric cliff dwellings, pueblo ruins and early missions in the Southwest. It authorized Presidents to proclaim and reserve "historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest" on lands owned or controlled by the United States as "national monuments." Devil's Tower (Wyoming) was the first National Monument to be created in 1906. By the end of 1906, Roosevelt had proclaimed three additional National Monuments: El Morro (New Mexico), Montezuma Castle (Arizona), and Petrified Forest (Arizona). The National Park Service est. 1916 The Organic Act, signed by Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916, created the National Park Service. This new agency's mission: "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Stephen Tyng Mather 1867-1930 The charismatic and energetic Stephen Mather lobbied for the creation of the National Park service and served as its new director. A self-made millionaire with a passion for nature and its conservation, Mather retired early from the Borax business where he coined the slogan "20 Mule Team Borax" and dedicated his life to preserving and protecting America's scenic landscapes. He is responsible for saving some of the best known national wonders such as Grand Canyon, Zion, Acadia, Shenandoah and more. He believed that the parks should be accessible to all Americans and worked to ensure access by building roads, lodging, and then publicizing the parks. "He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved, unimpaired for future generations." Inscription on bronze plaques in National Parks MORE ABOUT STEPHEN MATHER Other important National Parks contributors: Roosevelt & Muir John Muir (1838-1914) Scottish-born American naturalist, writer, and advocate of U.S. forest conservation, Muir was known as "John of the Mountains," Muir's advocacy helped create several national parks, including Sequoia (1890), Mount Rainier (1899) and Grand Canyon (1908). He wrote “only Uncle Sam” could save our country's land for future generations to enjoy. He and other conservationists founded the Sierra Club in 1892. Stephen Mather said that meeting John Muir on a hike in Sequoia National Park in 1912 was one of the highlights of his life. Teddy Roosevelt (1858-1919) Theodore Roosevelt, often called "the conservation president," doubled the number of sites within the National Park system. As President from 1901 to 1909, he signed legislation establishing five new national parks: Crater Lake, Oregon; Wind Cave, South Dakota; Sullys Hill, North Dakota (later re-designated a game preserve); Mesa Verde, Colorado; and Platt, Oklahoma (now part of Chickasaw National Recreation Area). However another Roosevelt enactment had a broader effect: the Antiquities Act of June 8, 1906. The Antiquities Act enabled President Roosevelt and succeeding Presidents to proclaim historic landmarks, historic or prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest in federal ownership as national monuments. Roosevelt is pictured right with naturalist and writer John Muir, The National Park System Today Today, the National Park Service oversees 433 park units, more than 150 related areas, and programs that assist in conserving the nation's natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of current and future generations. The 433 park units include the 63 National Parks plus: 11 National Battlefields, 4 National Battlefield Parks, 1 National Battlefield Sites, 9 National Military Parks, 64 National Historic Parks (e.g., Weir Farm National Historic Park in CT), 75 National Historic Sites, 1 International Historic Site, 3 National Lakeshores, 31 National Memorials, 87 National Monuments, 4 National Parkways, 19 National Preserves, 2 National Reserves, 18 National Recreational Areas, 4 National Rivers, 10 National Wild and Scenic Rivers, 6 National Scenic Trails, 10 National Seashores, and 11 other designations. More at NPS .gov . Exhibit at the Mather Homestead: Stephen Mather & the National Parks In 2022, the Mather Homestead Foundation opened its first exhibit to explore the life and legacy of Stephen Tyng Mather. The images below were presented in the Elizabeth W. Chilton Center ("the barn") as 8 foot high panels along with many items from the Mather Homestead collection related to Stephen Tyng Mather including Stephen Mather's photo collections, his camera and more. The National Parks: America's Best Idea Dayton Duncan On September 11, 2022, the Mather Homestead welcomed Dayton Duncan for a lecture The National Parks: America's Best Idea. More about Dayton Duncan View lecture Passcode: v*v8mQJp Read transcript

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The Mather Homestead includes documents related to the Mather family dating back to the 1700s. THE MATHER HOMESTEAD ARCHIVES The Mather Homestead archives includes papers dating back to the 1700s. Thank you to Donn Smith for sorting, organizing, documenting and blogging the many documents that tell the story of the Mather Family. Please note this page is still work in progress ... Summary of Collection Archives 1-10 1- Borax Related Materials 2- Materials Related to Specific National Parks 3- Anniversary events of the National Parks of the National Park Service and Other Organizations 4- Materials Signed by Stephen T. Mather with Will and Photos From 1912 Kern Trip 5- Miscellaneous Newspapers Including NPS Courier 6- Steve Mather of the National Parks Book by Robert Shankland 7- Specific Individuals with Ties to the National Park Service 8- Dedications and Related Materials for: Potomac Gorge, Bear Mountain Park, Redwood Grove, Mather Junior High School, Mather High School, and Tree Planting at Homestead 9- 1977 Annual Meeting Board of National Park Foundation and NPF 1978 Spring Meeting 10- Stephen in Local (Darien) Reporting Archives 11-16 11- Stephen T. Mather Photographs 12- Joseph Wakeman Mather- (father of STM) Box 1 of 3) 13- Box 13a and 13b Joseph Wakeman Mather-Files 2⁄3 14- Miscellaneous 15- Recognitions of STM Including Posthumous Acknowledgements 16- Mather Family Memorabilia Archives 17-23 17- Mather Family Photographs (Other Than STM) 18- Unidentified Photographs 19- American Quilt 20- Horace Marden Albright 21- Books From Mather Homestead Attic Trunks 22- Correspondences of Stephen Mather McPherson and Anne McPherson Tracy 23- Bertha Mather McPherson and Edward McPherson Correspondence Archives 24-28 24- Mather Mountain Party 1915 25- Clothing and Apparel of Early Mathers and Relatives 26- Stephen T. Mather Honorary Degrees and Oversized Photographs and Awards 27- Recognitions and Awards to Bertha Mather McPherson 28- Children’s Books from Attic Trunk Archives 30-33 30- Clothing and Fabric from Homestead Attic 31- A Century of Old Documents 1802-1905 32- Photograph Albums and Loose Photos (Primarily Albums of Bertha Walker Mather) 33- Old Sheets and Woven Fabrics Archives 34-37 34- Floy Books 1 of 2 35- Floy Books 2 of 2 36- Floy Papers and Photographs 37 Floy Papers and Diaries Archives 38-40 38-40 Accordion File Contents- Mather Homestead Safe: In the safe in the basement of the Homestead was an accordion file with 30 pockets, almost all of which had contents. The subjects vary widely but were deemed important enough by Bertha McPherson to have sorted and placed them in the safe. Archives 41-51 41- Magazines/Books/Reports re: STM, National Parks, Homestead 42- Magazines/Reports re National Parks, Mather Homestead 43- Mather Mural Santa Fe NM 44- Stephen Tyng Prints 45- Old Darien Maps 46- Ted Mack Family Hour Record 47- Architectural Monographs 48- Joseph Mather Writings 49- Art Portfolios 50- Misc. Magazines Mentioning STM 51- Slide Photograph Carousels Archives 52-55 52(a)- Dolls from Attic 52(b)- Dolls Clothing 53- Archived Books 54- Archived Books- First Editions 55- Archived Books

The Mather Homestead Foundation is overseen by the Board of Directors: Chair: Richard L. Chilton, Jr., Stephen Berger, Diane Boston, Meredith Edwards, Jennifer L. Foster, Carol Glassmeyer, Ania Janis, Ronald LaMorte, Maeve McGovern, Ginger Morgan, Penny Rashin, John Sini, Tammy Sload, Lauren Swenson, Tiffany Van Elslander. Other boards include: Advisory Board, Junior Board, Teen Board. MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION STAFF Samantha Gault Executive Director samanthagault@matherhomestead.org Cristi Mohr Assistant Director cristimohr@matherhomestead.org Kelly Dupont Events & Operations kdupont@matherhomestead.org Gulay Philip Accounting bookkeeper@matherhomestead.org General questions: info@matherhomestead.org , 203-202-7602

In 2023, The Mather Homestead Foundation hired Heritage Landscapes to conduct a Cultural Landscape Report of the property. The report provides a better understanding of the property, its history and usage, and informs a Master Plan for the future which will provide for a better visitor experience and enable the property to better tell the stories of the six generations of Mathers. More to come soon as we unveil the exciting plan! MATHER HOMESTEAD PROPERTY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT Artwork by Elizabeth Agresta. MATHER HOMESTEAD 2024 MASTER PLANNING PROJECT In 2023, The Mather Homestead Foundation hired Heritage Landscapes to conduct a Cultural Landscape Report of the property. The report provides a better understanding of the property, its history and usage, and informs a Master Plan for the future which will provide for a better visitor experience and enable the property to better tell the stories of the six generations of Mathers. More to come soon as we unveil the exciting plan! At the end of 2021, the McPherson family (Mather descendants) gifted an additional five acres of land, ensuring the preservation of the beautiful meadow bordering the North side of the Homestead property. This land is now owned and cared for by the Mather Homestead Foundation (1.1 acres) and the Darien Land Trust (3.8 acres). This generous contribution further enhances the beautiful "four corners" of Darien, which already included the 10-acre "Mather Meadows" on the Southern corners, acquired but the Land Trust in 2003, and the Mather Homestead six-acre property on the Northwest corner, donated by the McPherson family to the Mather Homestead Foundation in 2017. In total, these four corners now include 21 acres of property to be preserved in perpetuity. The Mather-McPherson family has seeded a fund which will enable us to execute our Master Plan. Please consider a gift to help us plant and beautify the property! Our goal is to create a park like setting to be enjoyed by the community. Donate to Property Enhancement Project Donate via Check In 2021, we removed several mature trees, including the huge holly trees ( 1 1/2 times the height of the house!) which obscured the North side of the Mather Homestead and "Big Ben," a dangerously large evergreen on the which threatened the East side of the house. We then replanted these gardens. In addition, we added plants behind the barn to obscure the electric box, propane tank and AC units. We selected non-invasive plants, many of which are already represented in the Mather Homestead gardens as planted by Bertha Mather. Thank you to the donors who helped us to bring this project to life! MATHER HOMESTEAD 2021 BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT Thank you to our donors! Amy and John Cholnoky Meredith and Banks Edwards Bet sy and Bill Jones Brandi and Anthony Maniscalco Jane and Bill Nickerson Heather and Todd Raker Michelle and Rich Riley Tiffany and Brian Van Elslander Cathy and Bill Wappler then now Thank you Bartlett Tree Experts for caring for our trees!

The Homestead was built in 1778 by Deacon Joseph Mather during the Revolutionary War as a safe house and raided by the Tories in 1781. REVOLUTIONARY WAR TIMES The Mather Homestead was built in 1778, during the Revolutionary War, by Deacon Joseph Mather, a deacon in Middlesex Parish. It was built as a "safe house" in a location thought to be far from incoming British soldiers, who raided towns along the Connecticut shoreline in order to wipe out ammunition reserves of the Continental Army and steal the valuables of the local residents. Not only were residents threatened by the British soldiers, but also by the many Tory spies who sided with the British. While they hoped the home would be safe from Tories, they nonetheless hid valuables in the house and the outdoor water well. Unfortunately, with the help of Tory spies, the British found their way to the home with bayonets in search of valuables. The raiders found nearly 100 pounds of silver and clothing which were hidden in the well. They even forced Sarah Mather to cook for them! However, they did not find the silver flatware that was hidden in the "high-boy" chest dresser that still resides in the dining room of the home. Deacon Joseph Mather was son of the Reverend Dr. Moses Mather, an important figure in Darien's history. Moses Mather, a graduate of the Yale, was hired as the first minister of Middlesex Parish Church, now the First Congregational Church of Darien, in 1744. He held that position for 62 years until 1806 when he passed at the age of 87. At that time, the minister was the preeminent leader in the town. During the Revolutionary War, Moses Mather, a fierce patriot, boldly preached against the British, resulting in the July 22, 1781 raid of the church during service, just three months after the raid on the Homestead. More on the raid below. Reverend Moses Mather also made the case that part of Stamford would become Middlesex Parish, a case championed by Thaddeus Bell, and in 1820 it became an official town on the map. The murals above (top of page) were painted in the Darien Town Hall (originally a school) during the 1930s with funding from the Works Progress Administration. The murals depict the infamous Sunday, July 22, 1781 raid of Middlesex Parish, when the church was surrounded by a party of Tories from Lloyd's Neck, LI, under Captain Frost, just as the congregation were singing the first tune. Dr. Mather and 50 men of the congregation were taken to the banks of the Sound, thrust into boats, and conveyed across to Lloyd's Neck, on Long Island, and then carried to New York and placed in the Provost Jail where some died. Rev. Mather and most of the prisoners were eventually released. In one mural, a woman named Sally Dibble defends a young boy (left above). The two murals convey how relations between the Colonials and the British—and their sympathizers—could become brutish as war waged on. Rev. Mather and 50 members of his congregation were captured during the siege and imprisoned in New York. "."

The Mather Homestead teen board invites middle schoolers to submit essays in November. Topic to be announced in the fall. MIDDLE SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST - 2025 The Mather Homestead teen board is excited to announce the topic for their fourth annual Teen Essay Contest. The topic: Why is it important to celebrate America 250? You may also consider; How do you think the Mather Homestead and the town of Darien should celebrate America 250? From the America250 website: America250's mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America's Semiquincentennial. About the Mather Homestead: The Mather Homestead, Darien's historic home on the four corners of Brookside and Stephen Mather Roads, was built in 1778 by Deacon Joseph Mather, son of Moses Mather, the first minister of the First Congregational Church of Darien and a fiery patriot. The house was famously raided by Tories during the Revolutionary War. It was later the home of Stephen Tyng Mather, an avid conservationist and the first Director of the National Park Service. Following Stephen's death in 1930, the house was lived in by his daughter, Bertha Mather McPherson, one of the first female architects in Connecticut and a founding member of the Darien Historical Society. She filled the house with a collection of period antiques and tended the gardens while raising her three children (the sixth generation of Mathers to live in the home). The home became a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. In 2017, the Mather Homestead was deemed a "Protected Town Landmark" by the town of Darien and donated by the McPherson siblings to a newly created foundation to be operated as a museum dedicated to community education. The Mather Homestead Foundation Mission Statement: The Mather Homestead Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the Mather Homestead, built in 1778 and enjoyed by seven generations of Mather descendants, as a treasured place for public education and enjoyment. The Foundation is committed to raising awareness of the Homestead’s unique history, dating back to the Revolutionary War, and Stephen Tyng Mather’s legacy as an important conservationist and the founder of our modern National Parks System. Mather Homestead 2025-2026 Teen Board: MIDDLE SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST - 2024 The Mather Homestead Teen Board selected the topic "What makes a house a home?" for the 2024 Middle School Essay Contest. They read and evaluated essays from 6th, 7th and 8th graders from schools as far as Wisconsin! After much deliberation thanks to the many well written and thoughtful essays, they selected Penelope Gwin (6th), Mason Wang (7th), and Pavana Attonito (8th), all students at Darien Middlesex Middle School. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to the many students who submitted essays! Read their essays: Penelope Gwin Mason Wang Pavana Attonito Penelope Gwin (6th), Mason Wang (7th), and Pavana Attonito (8th).

PAST EVENTS Literary Evening: The Poetry of Wendell Berry Oct 13, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM More info Details Holiday Ornament Homesteading Workshop | Needlepoint with Lauren Keena Oct 08, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM More info Details Film Premiere | The Mather Legacy: An American Story Sep 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM More info Details Plein Air Painting Workshop with Lisa Thorén Sep 15, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM More info Details Plein Air Week September 14 through 18. Please RSVP for lunch September 15 Sep 14, 2026, 9:00 AM – Sep 18, 2026, 7:00 PM More info Details Touring the Country, and NOW at Mather! DAR's American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit Aug 08, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM More info Details DAR's American Revolution Experience: Kids' Bingo & Ice Cream Party Aug 06, 2026, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM More info Details Touring the Country, and Coming to Mather! DAR's American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit Aug 03, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM More info Details An Evening of American Protest Music Jul 30, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM More info Details Garden Conservancy Open House Day at The Mather Homestead Jul 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM More info Details The Great Gatsby, Read and Discuss an American Classic Jun 23, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM More info Details Celebrate The Summer Solstice with The Mather Homestead Junior Board Jun 13, 2026, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM More info Details Middlesex Parish Road Trip and CT Open House Day Jun 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM More info Details The Mather Homestead's 6th Annual Garden Tea Jun 04, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM More info Details It Girl BOOK GROUP - Keep scrolling for garden tea tickets! May 26, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM More info Details Field Trip to Yale's Beinecke Library and University Art Gallery May 14, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM More info Details The British are Coming! Revolutionary War Reenactment at The Mather Homestead May 02, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM More info Details Painting Patriotism, Healing Wounds: The Art of Col. John Trumbull with Walter W. Woodward Apr 28, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM More info Details Load More

SPRING SCHOLARS SERIES WOMEN + ARCHITECTURE This spring, we celebrate the impact of women in architecture with a special event series honoring Bertha Mather McPherson (1906–1993), a pioneering preservationist, and her contemporary, Theodate Pope Riddle (1867–1946). Both earned their architecture licenses in 1933, shaping the built environment and paving the way for future generations. Join us for one, two or all! March 27: Lecture by the authors of Women Architects at Work: Making American Modernism (Princeton University Press, 2025 It will be followed by a panel discussion with four local women architects, including Mary Burr, Susan Lockwood, Amanda Martocchio, and Kate Perez. April 5 & May 10: Kids At Mather: Architecture Workshop and embroidery workshop May 14: Tour of the Hillstead Museum and Avon Old Farms School, designed by Theodate Pope Riddle; she and Bertha were among the 4 women registered in CT in 1933. May 15: Book Club Discussion: Dearest of Geniuses: A Life of Theodate Pope Riddle May 14-22 (TBD): Private reception in a Darien home designed by Bertha Mather McPherson June: Launch of the Bertha Mather McPherson Exhibit at Mather Homestead We appreciate the generous support of our sponsors (below). UPCOMING EVENTS Exhibit - Bertha Mather McPherson: Visionary Preservationist By appointment More info RSVP Thank You to Our Sponsors Diana Mikkidou Galik Joellyn and Kevin Gray Kate and Greg Perez Alison and Jamie von Klemperer Annie Roberts and Charles Ziga Become a Sponsor Sponsors will be recognized in the following ways: All sponsors will be listed by support level on the walls of the Bertha Mather room where the exhibit will be viewed for years to come. All sponsors will be recognized with company logo/name prominently displayed at all Women + Architecture events through signage and program. All sponsors will be recognized by level on our website and through dedicated email blasts to ~2,500 subscribers and boosted social media posts. $5,000 Preservationist Spring Scholars Series/Exhibit "presented by xxx" Private reception in a Darien home designed by Bertha Mather McPherson 8 tickets to all 5 Spring Scholars Series events 8 copies of Women Architects at Work: Making American Modernism $2,500 Architect Private reception in a Darien h ome designed by Bertha Mather McPherson 4 tickets to all 5 Spring Scholars Series events 4 copies of Women Architects at Work: Making American Modernism $1,000 Gardener 2 tickets to all 5 Spring Scholars Series events 2 copies of Women Architects at Work: Making American Modernism $500 Historian 1 ticket to all 5 Spring Scholars Series events 1 copy of Women Architects at Work: Making American Modernism

Preservation is job #1 to ensure that generations to come will be able to enjoy this remarkable Registered National Historic Landmark. Preservation projects include restoring buildings as well as transitioning the buildings and collection from "home" to "museum" and taking the necessary measures to protect and preserve as stewards of this collection. PRESERVATION Preservation is job #1 to ensure that generations to come will be able to enjoy this remarkable Registered National Historic Landmark. Preservation projects include restoring buildings as well as transitioning the buildings and collection from "home" to "museum" and taking the necessary measures to protect and preserve as stewards of this collection. 1778 House Restoration In 2022, the Mather Homestead Foundation commissioned a "Condition Assessment" of the historic house and other buildings on the property. The work was completed by Architectural Preservation Studios with the support of a grant from the Connecticut State Preservation Office. The resulting 152 page document concluded that while the ~250 year old house was well maintained by the Mather-McPherson family, there is still much work to be done to keep in the house in shape for generations to come with projects totaling $400-500,000. In 2023, the Foundation hired Scholar's Painting and Restoration to begin the first phase of the restoration project, which will be completed in 2024. MORE Collection The Mather Homestead Collection consists of antiques, artwork, artifacts and more which were enjoyed by the Mather Homestead for generations. The Foundation recently hired a consultant to conduct a "collections assessment" report. The report includes many recommendations which we will be implementing to preserve our collection for generations to come. COLLECTION Archives & Donn's Blog The Mather Homestead Foundation is uncovering and preserving stories of the past. The Collection includes six generations of papers which were carefully stored by Bertha Mather in the 1778 attic. These documents are now sorted and cataloged in our "archiving room" thanks to Docent Donn Smith. He has been pouring through these documents and capturing their stories in his "blog". A favorite is the story of Stephen Mather blowing up an unsightly sawmill with TNT on his daughter, Bertha's birthday! DONN'S BLOG Playhouse Restoration The Playhouse which was enjoyed by generations of Mathers was in disrepair and unsuitable for children. The Mather Homestead Foundation completed the renovation of the playhouse in 2023. The playhouse can now be a place of learning and play for future generations of children. Many thanks to the Junior Board for leading this project, to Creative Building (Dan Lamontagne) for contributing your time and resources to complete the project, the many donors who donated, and finally Jenny Gjervold who decorated the playhouse for play! MORE

MARGARET HENDERSON PAPERS Margaret Henderson, born 1805 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, was the great-great Aunt of Edward McPherson, Bertha Mather McPherson's husband. In 1820, Margaret was sent to Lititz, PA, home of the Lititz Seminary, a school founded by Moravians and which later became, and remains, Linden Hall. Margaret’s letters show that this all came without notice: “…you were surprised, when you heard I had gone to Lititz. It was very unexpected to me too. I did not know I was going three days before I left home.” Her letters which reflect great anxiety about leaving home, are a rare first hand account of an early 1800s schoolgirl. MORE in Donn's Blog November 13, 1820 transcription November 20, 1820 transcription November 27, 1820 transcription

South-Central Pennsylvania, 1775-1800. Mahogany, unidentified secondary woods; 38" h. x 20 ⅜" w. x 20" d. < Back Side Chair Second Floor - SE Bedroom Furniture and Hard Furnishings South-Central Pennsylvania, 1775-1800. Mahogany, unidentified secondary woods; 38" h. x 20 ⅜" w. x 20" d. With a pierced and relief-carved splat and crest rail with an oculus at the top and looped strands near the bottom. Splat design is English in origin but copies may be found in examples on chairs labeled by Philadelphia maker, Benjamin Randolph. Unlike many Philadelphia chairs, side rails are not tenoned through the rear stiles. Corner blocks within the seat frame are vertically grained. Straight Marlborough front legs, H-stretchers. (Twentieth century needlework upholstery was not removed to examine the separate slip seat.) “II” is chiseled into the inside of rear rail. Minor repairs to the splat. Previous Next