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FRESH OFF THE PRESS!
Docent Donn Smith has been busy poking around the attic of the Mather Homestead and he's found treasures abound! Check out his blogs which document his findings including artifacts from 250 years of American life - 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. Oh the stories they tell!
When the 4th of July was Flag Day too! A Birthday Celebration for Stephen Tyng Mather
Within a trunk at the rear of the attic in the Homestead is a small blue box. In the box is a handwritten note from Bertha Mather...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
“I make the following bequests…”A brief look at the Last Will and Testament of Stephen T. Mather
In the classic movie Secondhand Lions, the uncles leave a very short will: “The kid gets it all. Just plant us in the damn garden with...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20233 min read
Lights, Camera...
In 2017, The National Parks Service History Collection prepared a Finding Aid, titled “Stephen Tyng Mather Film Collection 1920-1929...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
“Dear Uncle Joe…I suppose you will be looking for me home tonight but…”
6 letters of Bertha C. Mather to J.W. Mather The guide provided to docents states that Stephen Mather’s father, Joseph Wakeman Mather...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20232 min read
Rabbit or Boar…and wait, there’s more! Discoveries in the Homestead Dining Room
In the dining room of the Homestead, docent-led tours justly focus on the highboy in which silver was successfully hidden from the Tory...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
“Dear Father…”Excerpts of letters from Stephen Mather to Joseph Wakeman Mather
In a large, tabbed folder in the Mather Homestead attic is a collection of letters received by Joseph Wakeman Mather in the years from...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20233 min read
“…prominent in his devotion to the cause of human freedom…” An Appreciation of James Floy
On November 16, 1863 a memorial service was held for the Reverend James Floy, D.D. at the Seventh Street M.E. Church in New York City. ...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20232 min read
Wheels and deals…and a steal too?Joseph W. Mather’s horse and carriage correspondence
Among the letters received—and saved—by Joseph Wakeman Mather in the 1890s are a number that deal with buying and selling of horses,...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20232 min read
“It is a stormy dreary day…”A Letter from Emily Selleck Waterbury to Joseph Wakeman Mather
Emily Selleck Waterbury (13 Dec 1809-7 Nov 1909) was the daughter of Hannah Mather (1778-1857) and Charles Selleck (1766-1846). Hannah...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20233 min read
The man who be—and was—king. Excerpts of letters from Francis Marion Smithto Joseph Wakeman Mather
In an August 7, 1898 letter to his father, Stephen Mather wrote, “I hear that Mr. Smith is getting near the consummation of his pet...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20233 min read
Chateau du Mather…
We know that even in the very late 1800s, the Homestead was an active working farm. From receipts and letters we have found that the...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Feb 8, 20231 min read
Putting faces to names…Three generations of Mather family photographs
Before selfies, portrait photography held significant importance to families. Portrait-taking was a noteworthy and formal occasion. In...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
“Dr. Hosack has departed this life… ”The Mather Connection to David Hosack
This June 2nd the Homestead will be graced with a presentation by Victoria Johnson, the author of American Eden, the acclaimed biography...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20232 min read
“In twenty-five words or less…”A selection of inscriptions from books in the Homestead
The Mather Homestead contains a wealth of books, from family Bibles to first editions…books from as early as 1684 through to the late...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20232 min read
The portrait on the wall…and the silver in the safe.
The presence and presents of Michael Floy in the Mather Homestead. When Michael Floy wrote his last will, he stated “…my portrait I leave...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
“...gaily and profusely decorated with flags and bunting…”The 100th Anniversary of the Mather Homestead"
The newspaper report on “the ‘Centennial’ at the old Mather Homestead” continues “…On a nearer approach, merry voices were heard, and...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
Montague, a 1926 Franklin, Walter Stewart, and more.
Interesting discoveries you won’t find at the Stephen Mather exhibit Later this month (October 2022), an exhibit celebrating Stephen...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
“…a simple little celebration of the event…”Stephen Mather and the 150th Anniversary of the Homestea
Previous blogs looked at the 175th and 200th anniversary celebrations of the Homestead. From materials in the Homestead safe, we have a...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
Make that 71…the latest Mather Plaque—Ours!“…There will never come an end to the good that he has d
According to National Park Service History (npshistory.com) seventy Mather plaques have been cast. Almost all can be found in National...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
Ah, had the Deacon lived another 182 years…A look at the Last Will and the estate of Deacon Joseph
When an 1840 inventory of Deacon Mather’s real estate was made in conjunc-tion with settlement of his will, the land totaled 53+ acres. ...
Donn Smith
Feb 8, 20231 min read
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