The Simpson House is a Victorian-style farmhouse named after Napier Simpson Jr., the restoration architect who built it. Situated to the left of the main entrance, Simpson House is a reproduction of the original Francey farmhouse, complementing the Francey Barn.
Today, public washrooms are located on the ground floor. Wheelchair access is on the north side of the building.
The Francey Barn is located inside the main gates. Originally built in 1858 on a farm in the Markham Township, it was donated by Mrs. Garnett Francey to the City of Toronto in 1977. The Francey Barn is a rare type of architecture, known as a Pennsylvania bank barn. Bank barns are built on the side of hills or riverbanks. This has the advantage of having an upper and lower floor accessible from ground level. Animals are housed on the lower level, while the upper floor provides storage of all hay, straw and feed required for the livestock.
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Located in the southwest corner of the Farm is our main cow enclosure for them to feed and, shelter, with space to roam.
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Immediately south of the Francey Barn is the paddock where the horses feed, shelter, exercise and get groomed.
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Located just north of the Farm is the Toronto Necropolis one of the city’s most historic cemeteries.
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As part of Farm’s seasonal education / interpretive programs and special events, farm staff prepare treats from the Wood Oven for everyone to enjoy. Check out the Special Events schedule for more information and for facility rentals.
(Please note that the Wood Oven will not be available during the renovation of Simpson House.)
The Drive Shed is used by Farm staff in their daily work. The lower level where equipment and supplies are stored, and is open to the public during special events and seasonal education / interpretive programs.
The Pig and Poultry Barn is located to the east of Simpson House. Domesticated waterfowl, chickens, turkeys and pigs are found in and around this barn. During the day, our waterfowl can be found visiting the duck pond located across from the Meeting House.
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This is the main area for our pigs to feed, roam and frolic in the mud, which delights visitors.
Donnybrook Ruin stands beside the cow paddock. It was originally a two-storey building, but a tower and part of the main floor is all that remains today.
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Depending on the season, these paddocks are used for grazing by sheep, goats and cows.
This is the main area on the Farm for the goats to roam, feed and shelter. In addition our free range poultry can often be seen exploring and roaming in this area.
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In addition to seeing the sheep roam, feed and shelter in this area, you will often see our water fowl, ducks and geese meander about, heading to and from the Duck Pond.
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Located just across from the Meeting House this pond is used in season for the ducks and geese to forage and swim during the day. For their protection, the birds are brought into the Pig and Poultry Barn in the late afternoon each day.
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The Residence is located next to the Duck Pond and across from the Meeting House. It was built in 1902 by prisoners of the Toronto Don Jail and has served many purposes over its colourful history, including serving as the zookeeper’s residence, a staff building, zoo hospital, and as a temporary morgue for the Necropolis Cemetery. Today, the Residence is used for a variety of farm-related and community-based programs.
The Meeting House is a unique three-storey building that opened in 1993. It is located at the east side of the property across from the Duck Pond. Most of our year-round programming takes place in the Meeting House. As well, the Farm’s lost and found, first aid, public washrooms and baby changing facilities can be found on the main floor. Pottery and spinning/weaving rooms are located downstairs. Classes are offered seasonally from September to June. The Meeting House is the home base of the Farm’s summer camp programs which run throughout July and August each year.
To TopIsland House sits in the middle of the Farm’s lower pond on the east side of the property. Throughout the past 80 years, it has housed many different kinds of birds and animals. It is currently part of the Farm's camp activities and also houses the equipment used by pond volunteers.
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