The Darien Times

Thursday, October 17, 2002

Darien at the crossroads

By Nancy Robinson

The ride up Brookside Road takes an observer from the elegant simplicity of the First Congregational Church, past stately homes with porches, farmhouses from another century and houses set back from the road surrounded by wooden fences.

We are reminded that Darien was founded in a time and period when horse-drawn carriages trotted down dirt roads were the primary means of transportation. No where is that seen more clearly than at the crossroads of Stephen Mather and Brookside roads with an expansive view of meadows.

If Deacon Joseph Mather, whose home built in 1772 faces these pristine acres of meadowland, were to suddenly make a return appearance, he would find the view from his front steps remarkably similar to the way he left it.

In an ever-changing world, with many builders apparently convinced that any empty parcel of land must be immediately developed, members of the Darien Land Trust believe that the residents of Darien have an unprecedented opportunity to maintain these nine acres as open space. But time is running out…quickly.

The heirs to Mather Meadows have given Darien an offer it can’t refuse. The property, which has remained with the McPherson Mather family for more than 200 years, has been offered to Darien for a sum of $3.8 million. The Land Trust of Darien has waged a vigorous campaign to raise this sum. As the result of state government grants and private donations $2.9 million has been raised, but in order to purchase this tract of land an additional $900,000 must be raised by Nov. 1.

If successful, the Land Trust will become the permanent owner and steward of the meadows. The nine acres will be maintained in their natural undeveloped condition. Success means that one of the few remaining open space in Darien will remain just that. Failure to raise the funds means that this scenic view with river frontage along the Goodwives River offering significant environmental value as a refuge for birds, butterflies and other wildlife will soon disappear.

No one wants to see fundraising efforts succeed more than Anne McPherson Tracy and her sister Jane McPherson Nickerson, who along with their brother Stephen Mather McPherson shared a childhood growing up surrounded by Mather Meadows. Anne’s reminiscences of her childhood more than half a century ago are as wonderfully evocative as that other Anne, of Green Gables fame.

“We had a vegetable garden, horses and cows when we were growing up,” she recalled. At that time the horse was used to plow the fields. Both women talked of their horse, Dubonnet, that they remembered riding through the fields. There was also a caretaker on the property, who would milk the cows every day and bring the milk up to the back porch in a pail to be placed in the ice box.

“We would move the pail up to a higher shelf in the ice box each day, until the cream rose to the top,” Anne explained. “Then it would be skimmed off and we would make the butter and the most delicious cream. And we always had that wonderful fresh milk.” Ice cream was also made at home in the old-fashioned, laborious way of turning the hand crank. Along with the coolness of homemade ice cream in a time long before air-conditioning existed, the most refreshing location was the grape arbor, which was not without its practical uses.

“Jelly was made from the grapes. And we also had cherry and apple trees,” added Jane Nickerson. “Mother had a greenhouse filled with snapdragons, nasturtiums, and her special camellia plants.” Both women spoke of the joy of picking fresh corn and peas from the garden that were cooked and served immediately. Winters at that time were much harsher than the winters of today and the weather brought both fun and some trials.

On the lighter side, the unplowed roads allowed them to enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides. But ice storms would herald the loss of electricity, when branches would be weighed down with snow and ice, which meant huddling by the fire and taking ice off a bucket and melting it for fresh water. Fortunately a gas stove meant meals would still be coming out of the kitchen. “Mother had an old-fashioned bed warmer that she used when the electricity went out,” added Anne McPherson Tracy. “She would fill it with hot coals and warm it against the sheets just before we jumped into bed.”

Were the children aware of the spaciousness of the fields and meadows that they roamed at will?

“When we were very little we took it for granted,” Anne said. “But as we grew older, Mother taught us about genealogy and that this land had been in our family since the late 1700s. She also talked about her father Stephen Mather, and his contribution as the Founder and first Director of the National Park Service under Roosevelt. We soon realized how special this property was.”

http://historical.darien.org/matherhistory.htm

The beauty of this land is not just in the eye of the current owners. Thanks to contributions of local artists, 57 original pieces of art featuring their interpretation of the property may help to save it.

Denise Sellhausen, Darien Land Trust trustee and chairman of the art auction that will be held at Darien Community Association on October 19 at 6:30 p.m. to raise funds for the purchase of the meadows, sought out the help of the Silvermine Art Guild for a consortium of artists. She was overwhelmed by their willingness to help.

“Once the word got out, I had artists calling me and volunteering their assistance,” she said.

A painting day for these willing artists took place in July, with volunteers supplying cheese, fruit and parasols in the “plein air” fashion. Neighbors helpfully brought lunches for the event that day and the results can be purchased at this major attempt to raise the needed $900,000. The “plein air” paintings will be offered both during a bidding and silent auction following cocktails and hor d’ oeuvres. Invitations have been mailed, however tickets may be purchased at the door.