Welcome to the Flynn House!

Meet the Flynns. Enter their fully interactive home and explore the lives of a real family that lived right here in north Toronto in the 1800s.

Pull up a chair, lie down on the bed, open drawers to see what is inside, and be a history detective to piece together the clues that tell us what the Flynns’ lives were like.

Through immersive exhibits and hands-on activities, you will learn all about the Flynn family’s journey from Ireland and their lives in a new land.

BOTH IRISH AND CANADIAN

The Flynns’ story is a modern-day story. As a refugee dual-faith family living in the Toronto region, they faced many challenges — much like newcomers to Canada today.

What was it like to be a working-class refugee family? How did their ethnic background and religion impact their lives? How did gender influence their experiences?

Discover the answers to these questions as you explore the rooms and activities throughout the Flynn House.

Flynn House exhibit at The Village at Black Creek features interactive activities to help visitors explore 19th century immigrant life

writing desk in parlour of Flynn House activity at The Village at Black Creek

rope bed and bedspread in Flynn House exhibit at The Village at Black Creek

FINDING THE FLYNNS

Who were Daniel and Sydney Flynn? Why did they leave Ireland? How did their children feel about moving to a new country? What happened to them in Canada?

Solve these history mysteries as you explore what was once the kitchen and pantry of the Flynn family home.

Dig deeper into the records they left behind to piece together the timeline of the Flynn family’s story and the new country they chose to call home.

visitor to Flynn House exhibit at The Village at Black Creek examines the family tree

visitors to Flynn House exhibit at The Village at Black Creek explore family records

students visiting Flynn House exhibit at The Village at Black Creek examine family documents

SET YOUR SUITCASE DOWN

Step into the Traveller’s Room and learn about the Flynn family’s journey by boat from Ireland to Canada.

Imagine the voyage for yourself. How long would it take? What would you pack? Where would you and your family sleep on the ship?

Discover what this experience was like for newcomers to Canada.

The Travelers Room is part of the Flynn House exhibit at The Village at Black Creek at Black Creek

visitor to Flynn House exhibit at The Village at Black Creek explores Travelers Room

KNOW YOUR ROLE

What was it like to be a woman and a domestic servant — like Jane Flynn — in 1860s? Enter the Girls’ Bedroom to learn about jobs available to women in the 19th century.

What did the Flynn women do to survive? Pick a role and pretend! How would you have made your living in 19th century Toronto?

The Girls Room is part of the Flynn House exhibit at The Village at Black Creek at Black Creek

An embroidered pillow in the Girls Bedroom portion of the Flynn House exhibit tells part of the story of women in the 19th century

A label sewn into a garment in the Girls Bedroom portion of the Flynn House exhibit tells part of the story of women in the 19th century

LISTEN TO THE PAST

When people come to a new place, they bring music to remind them of their past. However, music can also be used as a means of discrimination.

Listen to these songs about the Irish experience in Canada. (You can use the up/down arrow keys on your keyboard to increase or decrease the volume.)

Track One: The Harp That Once Through Tara’s Halls / Tho’ The Last Glimpse of Erin

Track Two: The Fine Ould Irish Gentlemen / No Irish Need Apply

SHEET MUSIC

Select image to view larger version.

The Harp That Once Through Tara’s Halls

Tho’ The Last Glimpse of Erin

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Want to learn more? Check out our Online Learning activities for educators and students.

» Experience the Village

Flynn House