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

Back in the 18th century, some things were the same (three meals a day, sleeping and playing), but some things were VERY different! The family operated a farm and everyone had to help. They got up really early in the morning to do chores - like milking the cows and collecting the eggs. If kids were lucky, they went to school. They had toys, but definitely no video games - have you seen jumping jacks? the ball and cup? and marbles? Let's learn about the MATher Homestead! Why is this house so special? The Mather Homestead is a REALLY old home right here in Darien, Connecticut, where it borders New Canaan and Norwalk. It was built in 1778, back in the 18th century - that's OVER 200 YEARS AGO! The Mather Homestead today! The Mather Homestead 200 years ago... Spooky! The Mather Homestead today! 1/2 Click the arrows to go back in time! The house has lots of cool stuff inside that people used back then. Can you believe THIS is a toaster??? = Where we are on a map: The green line on the map is Stephen Mather Road, named after our main man himself! Norwalk Darien New Canaan Who is this Stephen Mather guy?? Stephen Tyng Mather was the grandson of Deacon Joseph Mather (who built the house.) He is very important in our country’s history because he created the N ational Parks System we have toda y. A National Park is land that is protected by our government so that is can be preserved and well maintained. You may have visited a national park before! Have you bee n to the Grand Canyon? That's a famous one! There are now 63 national parks but when Stephen Mather became head of the national parks th ere was just 14 . By the time he retired as Director of the National Park Service he had doubled the number! Because he did so much to conserve park s in our co untry, you'll see a plaque like this one in most national parks. The Mather Homestead is so important because Stephen Mather lived in many plac es around the country but always considered this house his true hom e ! Stephen Mather and his wife Jane enjoying time out in front of The Homestead! The Revolutionary war The house was built in the beginning of that Revolutionary War, when the American colonies were fighting to be independent from Britain. The Loyalists were the people who agreed with England, that the American Colonies should stay part of England. But the Patriots believed that America should become its own independent country. Watch this video from Schoolhouse Rock! Would you be a loyalist or a patriot? In the area of the Mather Homestead, more people were Patriots. But across the Long Island Sound in Long Island, more people were Loyalists. So the Loyalists would row across the sound and raid houses along the shore. The Mather Raid! The Loyalists came to the Mather Homestead looking for valuables. But the valuables had been hidden!!! Where would you have hidden valuables? Under the bed? In the ground? The Mather family hid silver and other valuables like clothes in the water well (they were found!) and one other place somewhere in this dining room where they were not found! Check out the dining room and take a guess where the valuables were hidden. Answer below. And can you believe that before the soldiers left, they made Mrs. Mather cook them dinner!! But, good news, they didn't hurt anyone. The Secret Hiding Place ... what did kids do back then? Back in the 1700s, when the homestead was built, the family operated a farm and everyone had to help. They got up really early in the morning to do chores - like milking the cows and collecting the eggs. If kids w ere lucky, they went to school. They had toys, but definitely no video games! have you seen jumping jacks? the ball and cup? and marbles? Click here to see lots of games that you can try! This game is called "rolling the hoop." It's a race to see who can get their hoop to the finish line first. The Secret Hiding Place ... The silver was hidden in the tall pie ce of wooden furniture which has been in the home since it was built. It is called a "high boy." The silver was hidden with leather straps that attached it to the inside top of the cabinet. You can still see the straps today! Boys and girls were treated really differently. Girls learned to do things like sewing, cooking and serving -- even making candles and soap! And boys were usually learning a "trade," which means a job. And their parents were very strict. You'd better pay attention to the rules or else! They did have treats, but no potato chips or pizza. Some of the treats were candied orange peel and marzipan. Believe it or not they were yummy! Mather Homestead ACTIVITY BOOK and ANSWER

Northern Europe, 20th century. Walnut, pine, mirrored glass; 31" h. x 13 ¼" w. < Back Looking Glass Second Floor - SE Bedroom Other Decorative Arts Northern Europe, 20th century. Walnut, pine, mirrored glass; 31" h. x 13 ¼" w. Rectangular with a scalloped and pierced walnut-veneered crest rail, gilded appliqués at the center, a repeated motif at the veneered base. Ogee molding and parcel gilt inner edge appear to be 18th century, however the backboards exhibit little or no age, and modern wire nails appear to be the original fasteners. Previous Next

Mahogany; 10” h. x 12” l. x 12” w.; 20th century < Back Footstool Second Floor - SE Bedroom Furniture and Hard Furnishings Mahogany; 10” h. x 12” l. x 12” w.; 20th century Reproduction small square footstool with needlework slipseat. Previous Next

The Mather Homestead is bringing history to life through educational programs designed for all ages. Come for an event or tour to learn more about the rich history of the Mather family and their home. HOMESTEAD HAPPENINGS Fall Harvest Festival, Presented by BMW of Darien Oct 24, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM More info RSVP Lecture from Former National Park Service Director Chuck Sams and the Official Unveiling of the Stephen Mather Plaque Oct 29, 2026, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM More info RSVP Election Day Camp for Young Creators, K-5 Nov 03, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM More info RSVP Field Trip to Hamilton Grange National Memorial Nov 12, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM More info RSVP Holiday Ornament Homesteading Finishing Class Nov 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM More info RSVP Our National Parks: Past, Present, and Future Panel Discussion Nov 19, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM More info RSVP Holiday Wreath Making at 5:30 PM or 7:30 PM Dec 02, 2026, 5:30 PM More info RSVP Watch The Mather Legacy: An American Story Multiple Dates and Times More info Details Book a Tour T-Th 9a to 2p More info RSVP Vinyasa Yoga with Mary Ann Wednesday/Saturday 9:30a More info RSVP

Create your own CUTTING GARDEN with help from local gardening enthusiast, Ania Janis. This four-session program provided all the tips, instructions, plans and supplies you need to create your own cutting garden at home. Session 1: Wed., Feb. 16, 7 - 8:30 pm: Intro and Cutting Garden Basics: Sweet Peas, Session 2: Wed., Feb. 23, 7 - 8:30 pm: Pinching & Watering: Snapdragons, Stock, Session 3: Wed., March 9, 7 - 8:30 pm: Succession Planting, Hardening Off: Zinnias, Cosmos & Phlox, Session 4: Wed., April 6, 7 - 8:30 pm: Direct Sowing, Planting Out: Poppies & Sunflowers All supplies included. < Back Grow Along at Mather with Ania Janis - 4 classes Spring 2022 Create your own CUTTING GARDEN with help from local gardening enthusiast, Ania Janis. This four-session program provided all the tips, instructions, plans and supplies you need to create your own cutting garden at home. Session 1: Wed., Feb. 16, 7 - 8:30 pm: Intro and Cutting Garden Basics: Sweet Peas, Session 2: Wed., Feb. 23, 7 - 8:30 pm: Pinching & Watering: Snapdragons, Stock, Session 3: Wed., March 9, 7 - 8:30 pm: Succession Planting, Hardening Off: Zinnias, Cosmos & Phlox, Session 4: Wed., April 6, 7 - 8:30 pm: Direct Sowing, Planting Out: Poppies & Sunflowers All supplies included. Previous Next

England, 1821. A formulaic/pattern work, well executed, featuring figures, animals, and biblical script. < Back English 1821 “Adam and Eve” Sampler, Silk-on-Linen Second Floor - Guest Room Other Decorative Arts England, 1821. A formulaic/pattern work, well executed, featuring figures, animals, and biblical script. Along the upper section enclosed by scrolling vines: Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the lord she shall be praised. In the lower half, surrounded by animals, birds, and figures are Adam and Eve by the apple tree and the snake, and this verse: Adam and Eve. Whilest innocent in paradise were placed but soon the serpent by his while the happy paire disgraced. The maker’s stitched signature is along the bottom section: Eliza Sumner finished this work december the 8 1821 aged 9 years. Condition is good with light discoloration of linen ground. Previous Next

Educator Samantha Gault led a discussion of the first book in Aaron Johnson's National Park Mystery Series: "Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park." Then the kids acted out the book! < Back Book Club for Kids! Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park - March 25, 2023 Educator Samantha Gault led a discussion of the first book in Aaron Johnson's National Park Mystery Series: "Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park." Then the kids acted out the book! Previous Next

Our first Plein air art class with Lisa Thoren: Learn the art of landscape painting! A special lesson on how to sketch plein air with Lisa Thoren. Creating outdoors, we will discover techniques to learn perspective, composition and values. Includes wine to help your creative inspiration :-). < Back How to Paint Plein Air with Lisa Thoren - September 24, 2020 Our first Plein air art class with Lisa Thoren: Learn the art of landscape painting! A special lesson on how to sketch plein air with Lisa Thoren. Creating outdoors, we will discover techniques to learn perspective, composition and values. Includes wine to help your creative inspiration :-). Previous Next