The Duffy Heritage Homestead – External Project

Duffy Heritage Homestead - External Project

In 1830 Andrew and Elizabeth Duffy and their children – Robert, James, Jane and Mary – left Count Sligo, Ireland and embarked on the three-month journey to Canada, hoping for a more prosperous life. It is believed that Andrew died at sea.

 

In 1932 Elizabeth (Eliza) put a down-payment on the purchase of 100 acres of land just outside Bolton, Ontario. With the help of her children and the Irish community, Eliza started clearing and built the first small log home on the land. Eliza’s son James continued clearing the fields and expanded the farm. He built his own single-storey log home, which grew with his family. The second storey was added in the 1860s. The resulting home still stands today.

 

The homestead and surrounding land (now smaller due to selloffs over the years) left the Duffy family in 1955. Though the farm was no longer in the family, stories of the family’s experiences were shared through the generations and captured the attention of Alan Duffy, a direct descendant.

 

Starting in 2018, Alan brought the homestead, farm and much of the acreage back to the Duffy family. The family has painstakingly restored the barn and homestead back to their former appearance in various historical periods. The house is already a designated heritage site. The farmlands are being returned to growing crops that the family’s Duffy ancestors would have harvested.

 

The goals of this restoration project are to share this story and physical property representing Irish emigration, pioneer living and heritage restoration with the community through the experience of living history.  Follow the project’s progress on Instagram @duffyhomestead.