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In this year of national celebration, help us keep The Mather Homestead alive with learning for another 250 years! Your $250 donation makes you a valued member of The Mather Homestead Family. Receive educational emails, free tours, and invitations to exclusive member events. Plus, the first 25 donors at the $250 level will receive an America 250 Tervis tumbler - with our thanks! $0 raised Fundraising goal: $25,000 $25,000 0 donations 0% One time One time Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly Amount $25 $25 $250 $250 $2,500 $2,500 Give $25 Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Copy link

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

Dan is an American singer songwriter. With a contemporary Americana flair, Dan’s music reflects his love of classic rock and blues. His evocative lyrics, captivating melodies, and energetic performances exude Dan’s passion for creating and sharing his music with everyone around him. < Back Dan Zlotnick - July 11, 2021 Dan is an American singer songwriter. With a contemporary Americana flair, Dan’s music reflects his love of classic rock and blues. His evocative lyrics, captivating melodies, and energetic performances exude Dan’s passion for creating and sharing his music with everyone around him. 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 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

< 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

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MATHER HOMESTEAD Stories from the Attic Docent and Archivist Donn Smith has been busy poking around the attic of the Mather Homestead and he's found treasures abound! Check out his blogs which tell the stories of artifacts from six generations of Mathers including a bible from 1743, a girl's dress from the 1860's, Stephen Mather's camera, a love letter written by Stephen Mather to his wife and more! BLOG Educ ational Resources We have many sources for more information about the Mather Homestead and the life and legacy of Stephen Mather. MORE

The Mather Homestead was home of Stephen Tyng Mather, the first Director of the National Park Service. His impact on the National Park System is forever captured on bronze plaques across the nation: "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." LEARN ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARKS Acadia Yellowstone Grand Teton Grand Canyon Sequoia Big Bend Biscayne Arches Canyonlands Capitol Reef Bryce Canyon Zion Congaree Great Smoky Mountains Hot Springs Gateway Arch Mammoth Cave New River Gorge Shenandoah Cuyahoga Valley Indiana Dunes Isle Royale Voyageurs Theodore Roosevelt Badlands Wind Cave Glacier Rocky Mountain Black Canyon of the Gunnison Great Sand Dunes Mesa Verde White Sands Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Petrified Forest North Cascades Olympic Mount Rainier Crater Lake Great Basin Redwoods Lassen Volcanic Yosemite Pinnacles Kings Canyon Death Valley Channel Islands Joshua Tree Saguaro Haleakala Hawaii Volcanoes American Samoa Gates of the Arctic Kobuk Valley Denali Wrangell-St. Elias Glacier Bay Kenai Fjords Lake Clark Katmai Everglades Dry Tortugas U.S. Virgin Islands Learn about Stephen Mather

The Mather Homestead property originally consisted of 100 acres in 1778, which is what it took for a family to sustain itself. When Stephen Tyng Mather acquired the property in 1906, it consisted of 22 acres. In 1909, Stephen Mather hired renowned architect and landscape artist Walter Burley Griffin to create the Homestead's sunken garden that still exists today. THE MATHER PROPERTY AND GARDENS The Mather Homestead property originally consisted of 100 acres, which is what it took for a family to sustain itself. The working farm included vegetables, flax and wheat and farm animals providing milk, eggs and meat. By 1906, when Stephen Tyng Mather became the sole owner of the Homestead, the property consisted of 22 acres. Stephen, his wife Jane, and their baby daughter, Bertha, first occupied the house in the summer of 1907. In addition to making changes to the house, they added a sunken garden in 1909 which still exists today. Walter Burleigh Griffin Garden 1909 Stephen Mather hired Walter Burley Griffin, who was both an architect a nd a landscape architect, to design the sunken garden. As a member of "The Prairie School," he worked with Frank Lloyd Wright and oversaw the construction on many of Wright's houses. Wright met Stephen Mather when they were both members of the Prairie Club of Chicago which, among other things, sought to "raise public awareness of special areas and to create an interest in their conservation." In 1911, an international competition was held for the design of a capital for Australia. Walter and his partner and wife, Marion Mahoney Griffin, entered the competition and won. They emigrated to Australia in 1914 and did not return. MORE ON DONN's BLOG 1909 Sunken Garden designed by Walter Burley Griffin Pictures by Herbert W. Gleason. cont. 1909 Sunken Garden designed by Walter Burley Griffin Pictures by Herbert W. Gleason. 1/2 Lillian Egleston Garden 1938 Upon S tephen Mather's death in 1930, his daughter, Bertha, inherited the house. She changed the sunken garden to be a bit less formal in 1938. The plans were prepared by Lilian Egleston of Elizabeth, NJ, where Bertha's mother grew up. MHA 1951 uk garden P McPherson # 0 - Egleston plan 1938 MHA 1953-05 uk garden flowers P MHA 1951 uk garden P 1/11 Charles Middeleer Terrace 1962 Berth a added the terrace a round the well and additional plantings in 1962 with plans by Charles Middeleer. Bertha cared for the gardens until her death in 1993. MHA 1969-05 uk house from garden P MHA 1969-05 uk well P MHA 1969-05 uk well and garden P MHA 1969-05 uk house from garden P 1/8 Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center Garden 2020 In 2020, a new barn-like structure, the "Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center, " was added to the property to provide a place for education. The Mather Homestead Foundation is grateful to the Garden Club of Darien, who generously contributed foundation plantings to the barn. The Garden Club of Darien selected plantings with considerations of sunlight, water, deer resistance, pollinator attraction, color, size and other growing conditions. Plants include Ilex, Viburnum, Spirea, and more. The Garden Club of Darien and Mather Homestead are grateful for the expertise of Ungemack-Mccool Landscape Associates, Inc. for their help with this project. "The Barn" Plants courtesy of the Garden Club of Darien Cont. "The Barn" 1/3 Mather Garden Today Fast forward to today. The Mather Homestead gardens were quite unkempt when the Mather Homestead Foundation took over the property in 2017. Thanks to the efforts of Mather Homestead volunteers, in particular Andy Huntington, the gardens have been restored and beautified. In addition to leading extensive clean up of the gardens, Andy has incorporated roses, peonies and other herbaceous perennials to give the garden more visual appeal throughout the spring and summer season. Thank you Andy and our other volunteers! Cultural Landscape Report 2023-24 In 2023, The Mather Homestead Foundation hired Heritage Landscapes to conduct a Cultural Landscape Report of the property. T he report will provide a better understanding of the property, its history and usage, and inform a Master Plan for the future. If you are interested in helping our organization with our gardens, please send us an email he re! GET IN TOUCH!

220 mi S of Salt Lake City, UT < Back Capitol Reef 220 mi S of Salt Lake City, UT 1971 Established: Size: 241,904 acres Visitors: 1,227,608 in 2022 Summary Capitol Reef National Park, nestled in south-central Utah, is a hidden gem renowned for its striking geological formations, colorful canyons, and rich human history. Encompassing nearly 100 miles of the Waterpocket Fold—a dramatic wrinkle in the Earth's crust—the park showcases towering cliffs, arches, bridges, and domes, providing a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers alike. Visitors can explore the park's scenic drives, hike along rugged trails to hidden petroglyphs and historic orchards, and marvel at the star-filled skies above its designated International Dark Sky Park. Capitol Reef's unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage offers a captivating journey through time and landscape. Wildlife Capitol Reef National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, adapted to the harsh desert environment of south-central Utah. Visitors may encounter iconic species such as mule deer, desert cottontails, and rock squirrels amidst the park's rugged landscapes. Birdwatchers can spot golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and various songbirds soaring overhead, while reptile enthusiasts may glimpse lizards, snakes, and the elusive desert tortoise. The park's riparian areas provide habitat for beavers, amphibians, and a variety of fish, adding to its ecological richness. Exploring Capitol Reef offers opportunities to observe and appreciate the resilience and adaptability of its wildlife amidst the stunning backdrop of colorful canyons and towering cliffs. Sounds of the Park Things to Do Visitors to Capitol Reef National Park can enjoy road tours, hiking, camping, biking, horseback riding, canyoneering, and more. Though Capitol Reef does not receive as much snow as other Utah parks, outdoor activities can still pose a challenge during the winter due to snow and ice. When to Visit Capitol Reef National Park has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers, cold winters, and scant precipitation year-round. The transitional seasons of spring (particularly April-May) and fall (particularly September-October) have the most pleasant weather for visiting. To avoid the high crowds that are present those times of year, try visiting mid-week as opposed to on the weekend, and make sure to plan your visit in advance. Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Capitol Reef National Park gets its name from a series of white sandstone domes reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol building located in the park, and the term "reef," which locally refers to a land barrier that makes travel difficult. Previous Next

ANNUAL BARN PARTY Our first Barn Party in 2020 celebrated the opening of the Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center in 2020. Now in its fourth year, the event has raised funds for various projects at the Homestead with music, food and fun for all! BARN BASH! September 23, 2023 Featuring Bluegrass, BBQ & Bevs It was a rainy but fun night at our fourth annual fall celebration and fu ndraiser featuring live bluegrass music by On the Trail, great BBQ from Fine & Dandy, and beverages from Litchfield Distillery inside the barn. We raised over $16,000 in supp ort of our Mather Homestead restoration projects - thank you! If you were unable to attend, please consider a donation in support of our restoration projects. BARNRAISER 3.0! October 1, 2022 What a fun ni ght! Many thanks to all who made Barnraiser 3.0 a great success. Fabulous food by Fine & Dandy, unbelievable entertainment b y Griffin House, and AMAZING guests!! We raised over $18,000 for restoration projects at the Homestead - thank you!! Photos right by Katharine Calderwood. BARNRAISER 2.0! September 25, 2 021 Many thanks to all who joined us for Barnraiser 2.0. We enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, masterfully prepared by S.E.A.T., whiskey tasting by Sagamore Spirit, dinner on the barn lawn, and music by Petting Zoo. Our Barnraiser 2.0 raised funds for our beautification projects. Photos right by Katharine Calderwood. BARNRAISER 1.0! September 19, 2020 We ra ised the roof on September 19, 2020 to celebrate the completion of the new Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center, a.k.a., "the barn," and to thank our many donors including Richard L. Chilton, Jr., The Darien Foundation, and the McPherson family (descendants of the Mathers). Funds supported the new building project. .

The Mather Homestead Foundation seeks to enhance its programming for children. Our historic playhouse was enjoyed by generations of Mathers but is now in disrepair. Our goal is to renovate the playhouse to be the cornerstone for future generations of children who will come to learn and play. All donors contributing $250 or more will be recognized at our renovated playhouse! Huge thanks to Rings End and Dan Lamontagne who are providing materials and labor! PLAYHOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT The Mather Homestead Foundation recently completed the historic renovation of the playhouse which was enjoyed by generations of Mathers. The playhouse can now be a place of learning and play for future generations of children. We are still accepting donations! ALL DONORS CONTRIBUTING $250 OR MORE WILL BE RECOGNIZED AT OUR RENOVATED PLAYHOUSE! ** PLEASE NOTE: Any funds raised in excess of playhouse needs will be used to support restoration projects at the Main House. Donate via check: Please send check with memo "playhouse" to: The Mather Homestead Foundation 19 Stephen Mather Road Darien, CT 06820 THANK YOU TO OUR PLAYHOUSE SUPPORTERS! Huge thanks to Rings End and Dan Lamontagne who are providing some of the materials and labor! Leap Frog ($1,000) Baywater Properties Compass Barvida Hopscotch ($500) Alex and Robert Eising Andy and J ohn Hunt ington Ania and Michael Janis Paige and Tyler Kyle Mather Homestead Teen Board Pickup Sticks ($250) Marissa and Luke Andrews Allison and Scott Arneill Ingrid and William Bell Page and Stephen Berger Tasha and Thomas Blair Barclay and Scott Bowen Meredith and Banks Edwards Lauren Frank and Adam Frapart Sarah and Tom G uilbride Sarah and Br ian Hen derson Sally and Pat Houlih an Marissa and Patrick Khayat Allison and Brandon Kiss Stephanie and Cooper Kramer Julie and Matthew Mainelli Jessica and Cliff Merrill Ginger and Howard Morgan Kate and Matt Piselli Heather and Todd Raker Whitney and Alex Ranson Michelle and Rich Riley Lauren and Doug Ryder Heather and Jason Stricker Lauren and Harris Swenson Abby and Erik Ward Tokeneke Girl Scouts Troop Other Donors (under $250) Samantha Small