The Mather Homestead
History & Background
The Mather Homestead was built by Deacon Joseph Mather, of Middlesex Parish, in 1778 during the Revolutionary War on land inherited by his mother, Hannah Bell. Deacon Joseph Mather lived in the house with his wife, Sarah. They raised eleven children in the Homestead. The family owned over 100 acres which is what it took to support a family of this size. Their sustenance came from the family farm: wood to heat the house; fields that provided vegetables, flax and wheat and farm animals which provided milk, eggs and meat.
The home is considered one of the finest examples of 18th century architecture, a wood frame structure with two stories plus a basement and attic. The original furnishings, family heirlooms, masonry, woodwork and more have been preserved.
The home became a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Several years ago, two open fields at the corners of Stephen Mather Road and Brookside Road were conveyed to the Darien Land Trust to be maintained as open fields. In 2017, the Mather Homestead was deemed a “Protected Town Landmark” and was donated by the McPherson family to The Mather Homestead Foundation to preserve the property and to operate as a museum.
Trail Marker
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