< Back Music at Mather featuring Nick Depuy Sat., Feb 12, 4 pm KIDS, 6:30 pm ADULTS, Barn, $10 kids, $35 adult concert Kid's concert (reco ages 5 to 12): First up, Nick will entertain and educate kids about American Folk music. He'll play folk songs from the 40s through the present, think Woodie Guthrie, Pete Segar, and talk about the historical influences behind these songs and how they've inspired the music that followed. Adult/Young Adult concert: Singer/Songwriter Nick Dupuy will perform his original music (he has penned over 60 songs and counting!) and a few cover favorites. Nick calls his music “folksy with a few twists" -- think a combination of James Taylor meets Mumford & Sons. His goal, he said, is to tell a meaningful story through his music. His recent album "Don't Be Sorry" is out on iTunes, amazon and spotify - check it out! Nick Depuy, an American University graduate majoring in music and literary studies, is an evocative and haunting singer-songwriter. Nick boasts a unique sound that is rooted in old time folk, jazz and blues. But his influences do not define him, as he puts his own stamp on the likes of rock, pop, and hip-hop in the songs that he writes and sings. Previous Next

The Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center was completed in 2020 in order to provide a space for public education and enjoyment at the Mather Homestead thanks to the generosity of the Chilton family and many other donors. < Back Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center The Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center was completed in 2020 in order to provide a space for public education and enjoyment at the Mather Homestead thanks to the generosity of the Chilton family and many other donors. Previous Next

Our second Harvest Festival was bigger and better! < Back Harvest Festival - November 3, 2018 Our second Harvest Festival was bigger and better! Previous Next

< Back Paint and Sip with Lisa Thoren Thurs., Feb 3, 7 pm, Barn, $50 Our resident art teacher, Lisa Thoren, will guide us through the process of creating a painting from scratch -- see, sketch, paint. $50 per person includes instruction, materials and WINE (for inspiration). Previous Next

We are excited to announce the winners of our first middle school essay contest. Winners include local students Zoe Younessian (seventh grade), and Pavana Attonito and Juliet Chattaway (tied sixth grade), plus an honorable mention for Benjamin Kelsey (fifth grade). Middle school students from four local middle schools submitted essays which argued the importance of the National Parks. They shared personal stories about their experiences in the National Parks, demonstrated knowledge of the National Parks system which was founded in 1872 and now includes 423 sites across the United States, and paid tribute to Stephen Tyng Mather who was the first Director of the National Park Service. Students argued that parks are important for their role in educating children and adults, with many having participated in park Junior Ranger programs. They recognized the National Parks’ important role in protecting wildlife and natural habitats, combating climate change, and fostering mental health. And finally, the students cited enjoyment of nature and accessibility for all as key reasons why parks are important. Congratulations to all of the participants who demonstrated that our local schools are doing a great job of producing talented young writers! < Back Middle School Essay Contest 2022 - Fall 2023 We are excited to announce the winners of our first middle school essay contest. Winners include local students Zoe Younessian (seventh grade), and Pavana Attonito and Juliet Chattaway (tied sixth grade), plus an honorable mention for Benjamin Kelsey (fifth grade). Middle school students from four local middle schools submitted essays which argued the importance of the National Parks. They shared personal stories about their experiences in the National Parks, demonstrated knowledge of the National Parks system which was founded in 1872 and now includes 423 sites across the United States, and paid tribute to Stephen Tyng Mather who was the first Director of the National Park Service. Students argued that parks are important for their role in educating children and adults, with many having participated in park Junior Ranger programs. They recognized the National Parks’ important role in protecting wildlife and natural habitats, combating climate change, and fostering mental health. And finally, the students cited enjoyment of nature and accessibility for all as key reasons why parks are important. Congratulations to all of the participants who demonstrated that our local schools are doing a great job of producing talented young writers! Previous Next

The Mather Family has a long history in New England and is traced back to Lowton, Lancaster, England. The Reverend Richard Mather (1596-1669) and his wife, Catherine, and four children, Samuel, Timothy, Nathaniel, and Joseph, traveled to New England on the ship James in 1635. THE EARLY MATHER FAMILY The Mather Family has a long history in New England and is traced back to Lowton, Lancaster, England. The Reverend Richard Mather (1596-1669) and his wife, Catherine, and four children, Samuel, Timothy, Nathaniel and Joseph, traveled to New England on the James in 1635, fifteen years after the Mayflower set sail. They were part of the very first mass immigration to America in what would later be called The Great Migration taking place between 1630 and 1635. Over that time some 20,000 people, mostly Puritans seeking relief from the persecution of King Charles, left England bound for the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Mather family established a homestead in Dorcester near Boston and quickly became part of the religious community there. After their arrival in America, Richard and his new wife Sarah, who he married in 1656, had two more sons, the youngest being Increase Mather. Increase Mather, and his son, Cotton, were Harvard-educated Puritan ministers. They were both well known intellectuals. They were also known for their involvement in the Salem Witch Trials in 1692-93. Richard and Catherine’s son, Timothy, born in 1628, is the great-great grandfather of Deacon Joseph Mather. Unlike four of his brothers, Timothy did not become a minister. To this day, his descendants refer to him as “The Farmer Mather.” His son, Richard, moved to Lyme, Connecticut where he established a family farm. Richard named his son, Timothy after his grandfather. Captain Timothy fought in Queen Anne's War in the early 1700s. His son, Moses Mather, grew up on the family farm, but was not destined to become another Mather farmer. He enrolled at Yale in New Haven and graduated in 1739 and became a Congregational Minister. In 1739 Moses struck out to what was then Stamford, Connecticut, in an area now known as Darien. Moses had broken from the long standing Puritanism of his ancestor as had many New England clergy seeking greater freedom of religious expression and was ordained a Congregational Minister. He built a farmhouse in Darien and shortly thereafter was installed as the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Darien that had been erected in 1740. During his 60 year tenure as the pastor of the First Congregational Church, Moses was an outspoken early firebrand for the cause of independence. Moses' son, Deacon Joseph Mather married Sarah Scott of Ridgefield and inherited approximately 100 acres from his mother in 1778 and built the Mather Homestead that we know today. In this house, Joseph and Sarah raised 11 children. Three generations later, the home was owned by Stephen Mather, who we all know as the Founder of the National Park Service. In 2017, Stephen's grandchildren, Anne Floy McPherson Tracy, Stephen Mather McPherson and Jane McPherson Nickerson, generously donated the Mather Homestead to the Mather Homestead Foundation in order for it to be preserved as a historical place for education and enjoyment.

The Elizabeth W. "Liz" Chilton Education Center was completed in 2020 in order to provide a space for public education and enjoyment at the Mather Homestead thanks to the generosity of the Chilton family and many other donors. MATHER BARNS AND OTHER OUTBUILDINGS The first barn north and west of the house was built by Joseph Wakeman Mather's brother William for Joseph in 1891. Joseph Wakeman on front porch. Superintendent J. Darwin Burger next to barn. Joseph Wakeman Mather in front of barn. 1891 barn in background. Second documented barn built after first burned 1905, shown with sunken garden in foreground. Stephen Tyng Mather and J. Darwin Burger, Superintendent. Jane Thacker Floy Mather, unknown, Harriet Gilbert McPherson, Bertha Floy Mather Third documented barn & three-car garage built 1965 Barn originally painted a light color. Third barn with sunken garden in foreground. 1965 barn originally painted a light color, later painted red with white trim. 1960s view of greenhouse, added by Stephen Mather in 1915. Greenhouse 1960s Playhouse left, potting shed, right, circa 1974 Original gardener's cottage, left, built by Stephen Mather, was connected to the house with a connecting high fence/trellis. Gardener's cottage left. Gardener's cottage behind house circa 1915 Gardener's cottage behind house after 1927. Gardener's cottage with trellis extending west circa 1944 Guest house circa 1965, built 1965 on foundation of the previous gardener's cottage. Guest house with 2 car garage was built in 1965 on the foundation of the previous gardener's cottage. The first documented barn was built by Joseph Wakeman Mather's brother, William, for Joseph in 1891. The barn burned in 1905. The second documented barn was built after the first burned in 1905 by Stephen Mather. The third documented barn and three car garage was built in 1965. A greenhouse with potting shed was added to the property by Stephen Mather in 1915. The greenhouse was demolished by Bertha Mather in 1965, but the potting shed remained and was still standing in 1967 as it was included in the description included in the Historic American Buildings Survey. Stephen Mather had a gardener's cottage constructed behind the main house with a high trellis connecting the two buildings. In 1965, Bertha replaced the two-story Gardener's cottage with a story-and-one-half guest house, constructed on the same foundation as the gardener's cottage. THE ELIZABETH W. CHILTON EDUCATION CENTER a.k.a., the barn The Mather Homestead's new "barn" was built in 2020 in order to house lectures, school groups, art exhibits and more, supporting the Mather Homestead's vision of becoming a preeminent center for historical education in Fairfield County. The 1800 square foot structure resembles an 18th century dairy barn on the exterior with a open interior floor plan in order to maximize the opportunity for gatherings of up to 130 people. It includes significant wall space for exhibits, a small efficiency kitchen, ADA compliant bathrooms and large doors to open to the outside. The construction of the barn was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Mather Homestead Foundation board, led by chairman Richard L. Chilton, a gift from The Darien Foundation, and many other generous donors. Wall of donors . About Elizabeth W. Chilton Elizabeth W. Chilton, known to her friends and family as Liz, was most recently a resident of New Canaan before her passing in 2013. Throughout her life, she was active in historical preservation, the arts and horticulture. In 1970, while living in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, she and a group of four other women formed the Friends of the Hermitage to save "The Hermitage" from the wrecking ball. The Hermitage, which is one of the most important mid 1700’s houses in New Jersey, was formerly owned by Theodosia Barton Prevost, who later married Aaron Burr. It served as a strategic headquarters for General George Washington during the Revolutionary War and later, as a half way house for the abolitionist movement to protect and relocate slaves during the Civil War. Designated a National Historic Landmark for the excellence of its Gothic Revival Architecture, today it is one of New Jersey’s most important historical houses and New Jersey’s first National Historic Landmark. More about The Hermitage. In New Canaan, Liz was involved with the New Canaan Historical Society, the New Canaan Nature Center, and the Herb Society of America/New York. Inspired by his mother Richard L. Chilton, Jr. helped to establish the Mather Homestead Foundation in 2017 in order to presas a museum and community place for education and enjoyment. He and his wife Maureen have generously donated to make the Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center a space for all to enjoy and learn. The Hermitage, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

< Back Garden Tea Thurs., May 26, 12 pm, garden Our second annual Garden Tea will include tea (or wine) in the garden, followed by "tea-style lunch" and a speaker. More details to come soon! Previous Next

< Back Yoga Mon., Weds., Sat., 9:30 am, Barn, $25 Join us for a vinyasa flow class in the beautiful Mather Homestead barn led by instructor Mary Ann Freeman. This class is designed to make you feel lighter, longer and stronger! Geared for all levels, whether you are new to yoga or have a practice already. We will move through a creative sequence of foundational poses, emphasizing alignment and breathing techniques. BYO mat and water. Previous Next

A MH group enjoyed a tour of the American Wing led by Dr. Elizabeth Kornhauser, the Alice Pratt Brown Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, followed by lunch in the Met's dining room. < Back Metropolitan Museum of Art - May, 2023 A MH group enjoyed a tour of the American Wing led by Dr. Elizabeth Kornhauser, the Alice Pratt Brown Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, followed by lunch in the Met's dining room. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Previous Next

< Back Valentines Flower Arranging Thurs.,, Feb. 10, 7 pm Back by popular demand, another night of flower arranging and fun! Sip on rosé Prosecco (other options available too) and eat bon bons while creating your very own Valentines masterpiece to take home. Includes all materials and, of course, sips. $85 pp. Tables of 6 $240. Previous Next