Black Creek Pioneer Village

Take your family back in time and experience living history at Black Creek Pioneer Village. This outdoor museum in northwest Toronto recreates what life was like in a mid 19th century village in rural Ontario. Visitors are treated to the sight of villagers in period dress performing chores such as shearing sheep and sewing and spinning in their workshops, just like they did over a century ago. The historic buildings house an impressive collection of over 50,000 artifacts and antiques, including a toy collection with over 2,000 pieces.

Heritage Buildings

Black Creek Pioneer Village features a collection of 40 restored heritage buildings on 30 acres of farmland for visitors to explore. In 1816 the original settlers of the area, newlywed couple Daniel and Elizabeth Stong, cleared 100 acres of land and built themselves a log house on the site. This structure still remains in its original location and is the oldest building at the Village.

Several of the other historic buildings, which date back to the mid 1800's, have been relocated from various sites across south central Ontario and feature original artifacts and period furnishings designed to reflect how the settlers lived in that era. Some of the buildings, such as the Grain Barn and the Smoke House, still sit on their original sites. One of the oldest barns in Canada is located here, a rare structure that has been standing for over two centuries.

Also situated in its original location is the cemetery, which dates back to 1845. Many of the first local settlers are laid to rest here, including many members of the Stong family.

History Comes to Life

A visit to Black Creek Pioneer Village is a fun and educational activity for the whole family, as visitors leave city life behind and are transported back to the 1800's. History jumps off the dusty pages of the textbooks and is brought to life by historical interpreters who explain what life was like in this rural community. Actual demonstrations are what make the Village such a popular destination; stroll through the buildings and the workshops and watch a blacksmith or a miller practice their trade, explaining the details of their craft as they work. From beer brewing to quilting, visitors get a sense of how things were really done in the mid-1800's. All the villagers are dressed in costumes that replicate exactly what people from that time would have worn, from the farm hands to the shopkeepers.

Farm Animals at the Village

Animals were a very important part of village life in the 19th century, and adding to Black Creek Pioneer Village’s authenticity is the large collection of rare farm animals that call the village home. These heritage breeds include Corder Leicester sheep, Clydesdale horses and Cochin chickens. Kids will love seeing the animals roam the farmlands and the historic interpreters are on hand to explain how integral the animals were to the livelihood of the settlers, providing everything from food to clothing to transportation.

The Gardens

From the herb gardens bursting with lavender and thyme to the orchard filled with rare varieties of apples, the gardens at Black Creek Pioneer Village are delightful to explore. The dyes used to colour the wool sheared from the sheep came from the plants in the Weaver’s Shop Dye Garden. The medicinal herbs in the garden surrounding the restored Doctor’s House were used to create natural remedies for the villager’s ailments. There are eleven heritage gardens in total at the Village, including a vegetable garden and a typical 19th century kitchen garden.

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Black Creek Pioneer Village is located in the north end of Toronto at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, south of Steeles Avenue one block east of Jane Street. The site is accessible by public transit and parking is available.

The Village offers different activities daily and has busy schedule of special events and tours. Information on the daily calendar of demonstrations and performances is available at the admission desk upon arrival.

A restaurant and pub and a 19th century general store are located at the center of the Village. A gift shop is located in the Visitor’s Centre.

Black Creek Pioneer Village is open from May until December. Guided tours are available. For directions, current admission fees and hours of operation call or visit their website.

Location: 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Phone: (416) 736-1733
Email: bcpvinfo@trca.on.ca

Click here to visit Black Creek Pioneer Village official website