This mansion was built by Martin Flynn in the late 1860s. Flynn was an Irish immigrant who was involved in several industries and organizations in the Des Moines area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The home included several "modern" aspects, including gas lighting, central furnace heating, and running water. In 1915, the Flynn family sold the mansion and surrounding farm to the State, and it became the home of a low security prison farm. Living History Farms later purchased the property and has made several renovations to the house. Content can be used with the following standards: 3rd grade SS 3.27 Immigration and Migration and 3rd grade SS 3.28 Cultural Contributions in a lesson on historic rural towns on Iowa and small businesses. Photos of the mansion's modern appearance are attached. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions.
2018.016.001 [Mansion]
Legal Status
Ownership of this resource is held by Living History Farms and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney.