A Welcome from the President...
The American Dream Restored
One-hundred and forty years ago, Martin and Ellen Flynn completed their dream house, which stood proudly atop Walnut Hill in rural Des Moines, Iowa. The 14-room Italianate country home featured many of the latest in residential innovations—such as gas lighting, hot and cold running water and central heating—at a time when they were rare even in large cities. Most significantly, their home represented, for all to see, that these two once-penniless Irish immigrants had achieved the American Dream.
For nearly 50 years, the Flynn home served as the center of Martin’s far-flung business empire. From one of thousands of Irish immigrant rail crew laborers, he rose rapidly to become a highly-sought (and paid) contractor providing and managing crews that prepared railroad beds so that tracks could be layed. With proceeds from this business, he built one of the largest farming operations (1,700 acres) in the Midwest. The Flynn Mansion served as the hub of Martin’s expanding business interests, including one of the state’s first and finest herds of shorthorn cattle, the Flynn Building (which still stands in downtown Des Moines), Flynn Dairy, and Peoples Savings Bank (which later merged with Bankers Trust). Under Ellen’s social leadership, the home also became known far-and-wide as a cultural community gathering-place. Especially notable was their annual 4th of July celebration in honor of their adopted homeland.
In 1916, the Flynn farm was sold to the state of Iowa for use as a prison farm. The Flynn home suffered considerable abuse over its next fifty years, housing inmates and even, at one time, livestock. Living History Farms now owns the Flynn Mansion and operates it as part of our 500-acre outdoor history museum. As a representation of the promise long-offered by America to immigrants from other shores, the Flynn Mansion is among the most popular and moving stops for the more than 130,000 annual visitors to Living History Farms who come from all 50 United States and dozens of other countries.
As Living History Farms prepares to celebrate its 40th year of operations, we are undertaking an $800,000 restoration of this historical and architectural gem. The project will replace significant architectural and historical features that have been lost over the years, reverse and protect against structural deterioration and incorporate historically-sensitive uses of green technology. It will also create a dedicated endowment fund to assure the ongoing maintenance and security of the mansion.
Living History Farms is the only site in the state to offer the experience shared by visitors to the Flynn Mansion. Restoring the property to its full potential will not only enhance the unique programming options available to LHF but will also demonstrate that Iowa is truly committed to preserving this inspirational resource for the next generation.
In February, Living History Farms received approximately $57,000 in matching grant funding from the State Historical Society of Iowa through their Historic Site Preservation Grant Program. We have also submitted a request for federal appropriations in the amount of $400,000 to support the restoration and we need your help in securing this funding.
Please contact Congressman Boswell and Senator Harkin’s office in support of an appropriation of $400,000 in FY11 for the restoration of the Flynn Mansion at Living History Farms. They can be reached via the Capitol switchboard by calling 202.224.3121 and asking for their office or by writing to them:
The Honorable Leonard Boswell
U.S. Member of Congress
1427 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Direct Dial: 202-225-3806 Fax: 202.225.5608
The Honorable Tom Harkin
U.S. Senator 731 Hart SOB
Washington, DC 20510
Direct dial: 202.224.3254 Fax: 202.224.9369
Thank you and we hope to see you in May when we open for our general touring season.
Sincerely,
Ruth Haus
President, Living History Farms
