The Stephen T. Mather Homestead, in Darien, is named for Stephen Tyng Mather, who laid the foundation of the National Park Service. The Mather Homestead was built in 1778 by Deacon Joseph Mather, son of Reverend Moses Mather, who was minister of the Middlesex Parish Church. During the Revolutionary War, there was much raiding by Tories along the coast of Long Island Sound, but the Mathers felt that their property was far enough inland to be safe. They encouraged friends and relatives to hide their money and valuables at the house until the war ended, but on the night of March 19, 1781, a gang of Tories raided their home and forced the Mathers to reveal the hidden items. During the War, Joseph Mather was an Ensign in the Connecticut Militia, fighting at Montreal in the 1775 invasion of Canada, and he was also a sergeant in the Coast Guard. Mathers have continued to own the Homestead since it was built. In the later nineteenth century, it had passed to Joseph Wakeman Mather, who moved to San Francisco to develop business interests there. His son, Stephen, was born in California in 1867. Stephen Mather went on to become a millionaire as president and owner of the Thorkildsen-Mather Borax Company. Inspired by his meeting with John Muir in 1912, Mather complained to the federal authorities about the government’s neglect of the nation’s National Parks. Soon working in the Interior Department, he established and became the first director of the National Park Service. He continued to own his family’s Homestead in Darien, using it as a summer residence. After his death, in 1930, the house was owned by his daughter, Bertha Mather McPherson, a founding member and the first president of the Darien Historical Society.
Update: In 2017, the Mather House became a museum open to the public.
Here’s a link to information on Kevin Burns’s documentary on the National Park System: http://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/the_national_parks_americas_best_idea
I’m sure Stephen Mather will be mentioned in one of the episodes, if he hasn’t already.
Also, is the family any relation to Cotton Mather?
He appeared in last night’s episode and will be in tonight’s as well.
The Darien Mathers are descendants of Timothy Mather, the brother of Increase Mather, who was the father of Cotton Mather.
Is Stephen Mather related to Cotton Mather?
yes he is
San Francisco’s family recreation camp near Yosemite National Park was named after Stephen T. Mather, first director of the National Park Service. There’s been an on-going debate over how his last name should be pronounced. Park rangers insist it’s pronounced “math-er;” San Franciscans insist on calling their camp “may-ther.” I’m sure the former is correct (“math-er”), but would like to know from a reputable source… Anyone connected with the Stephen T. Mather Homestead historic site in Darien have a definitive answer… Sure would like to lay this matter to rest.
My grandmother Lucy Elizabeth Mather of Hartford Connecticut was a descendant of Stephen Mather. She always pronounced her name as
Ma- ther.
Tammy, it was my understanding that Steve Mather had only one child, a daughter; therefore the name could not have been carried on through him. Must have been one of the cousins?
I am happily related to Stephan Mather but as a Tyng.
According to Stephen T. Mather’s great-grandson, a former colleague, the NPS pronunciation is the correct one.
Does the “NPS pronunciation” rhyme with father or with rather?