Self-Tour Guide for The Village at Black Creek

The Village at Black Creek in Toronto offers an immersive experience of 19th-century Ontario life. With heritage buildings, historic artifacts, gardens, and rare breed animals, it’s a perfect place for history enthusiasts and families alike. This guide will help you navigate the village, explore its main attractions, and experience life from the past.

Getting Here

Address

• The Village at Black Creek: 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, North York, ON M3J 2P3

By Car

• From Highway 400 Northbound (from 401): Exit at Steeles Avenue, turn left onto Steeles Avenue (eastbound), then right on Murray Ross Parkway. The village entrance will be on your right.
• From Highway 400 Southbound: Exit at Highway 7. Follow Highway 7 eastbound, turn right (south) onto Jane Street, left onto Steeles Avenue (east), and then right onto Murray Ross Parkway.
• Parking: On-site parking is available for $9.30 + HST per day. Visitors can purchase discounted parking with admission tickets.

By Transit

• From Pioneer Village Station (TTC): Walk westbound on Steeles Avenue West to Murray Ross Parkway, turn left, and walk south to the village entrance. Alternatively, take the 108 Driftwood bus from the station to the Steeles West South Side stop and walk southbound on Murray Ross.
• From York Region Transit (YRT): Several YRT routes, including 3 Thornhill, 20 Jane, and VIVA purple line, stop at Pioneer Village station. Transfer to the 108 Driftwood bus from there for convenient access.

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive Early: The village has many attractions and interactive activities, so arrive early to fully explore all areas.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes: The village spans a large area, with both indoor and outdoor spaces, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
• Check for Events: Special events like historical reenactments or DIY heritage trades are held regularly. Check the village’s event calendar for these immersive experiences.
• Bring a Camera: Many of the heritage buildings, gardens, and rare animals make for excellent photo opportunities.
• Respect the Historic Sites: Some buildings and artifacts are fragile due to their age. Please do not touch exhibits unless encouraged by guides.

Main Attractions

1. Step Into the Past: The village is a living museum where you can step back into the 1800s and experience life in early Ontario.
2. Heritage Buildings: Black Creek features over 40 restored and reconstructed buildings from the 19th century, each with its own unique history.
3. Rare & Heritage Breed Animals: See breeds of livestock common in the 19th century, including chickens, pigs, and horses.
4. Gardens: Walk through heritage gardens that showcase the kinds of plants and crops common in historical Ontario homesteads.
5. Historic Artifacts: Explore artifacts from the 1800s that illustrate daily life, crafts, and trades of the time.

How to Explore: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Start at the Tinsmith Shop & Black Creek

• Begin your journey at the Tinsmith Shop, where you can see demonstrations of traditional metalwork. This shop shows how craftsmen used tools and techniques from the 19th century to make household items. From here, head along the main path to explore more artisan spaces.

2. Visit the Masonic Lodge (c.1850, Woodbridge)

• Next, stop by the Masonic Lodge. Built in 1850, this building highlights the role of fraternal organizations in early Canadian communities. You’ll learn about the history of the Freemasons and their influence in local society.

3. Explore Daniel Stong’s Grain Barn (1825 Original Site)

• Walk to Daniel Stong’s Grain Barn, one of the original structures on the site from 1825. Here, you can learn about early farming practices and the tools used to process grains and other farm produce.

4. Check Out Henry Snider’s Cider Mill (c.1840, North York)

• Continue to Henry Snider’s Cider Mill, built around 1840. This cider mill demonstrates how early settlers made cider using traditional press methods. Watch demonstrations and learn about the cider-making process popular during the time.

5. Stop at the Fire House (c.1850, North York)

• Head to the Fire House nearby, built in 1850. This building showcases firefighting equipment from the time and explains the community’s efforts to combat fires with early technology.

6. See the Harness Shop & Saddlery (c.1845, North York)

• Visit the Harness Shop & Saddlery, where saddles, harnesses, and other leather goods were crafted for horses. Learn about the importance of leatherwork in an era when horses were essential for transportation and farm work.

7. Visit the Apple Storage Cellar (c.1850, Edgeley)

• A short walk will bring you to the Apple Storage Cellar, where apples and other produce were stored for winter. This cellar gives insight into early food preservation techniques and the importance of apple crops in early Ontario.

8. Discover the Chicken House (c.1860, Kettleby)

• Next, head over to the Chicken House, where you can see heritage breeds of chickens that were common in early settlements. Learn about poultry farming practices in the 19th century and their role in family farms.

9. Stop by Daniel Stong’s Piggery (c.1825, Original Site)

• Visit Daniel Stong’s Piggery, an original building where pigs were raised. Here, you can see traditional pig breeds and learn about early livestock practices and the importance of pigs as a food source.

10. Visit the Stong Family’s First House (1816, Original Site)

• Continue to the Stong Family’s First House, built in 1816. This rustic home provides a glimpse into early settler life, complete with authentic furnishings and tools from the period.

11. See Daniel Stong’s Smoke House & Butchery (c.1816, Original Site)

• From the first house, make your way to Daniel Stong’s Smoke House & Butchery. Here, you can learn about meat curing and preservation techniques essential for survival during long winters.

12. Explore the Snider Backhouse (c.1820, North York)

• Visit the Snider Backhouse, a smaller building where you can learn about the daily chores and tasks that supported the family’s needs in early Ontario.

13. Stop by the Stong Family’s Second House (1832, Original Site)

• The Stong Family’s Second House was built in 1832, showing the family’s growth and adaptation over time. This larger home has period furnishings and decorations, providing a look at a slightly more prosperous lifestyle.

14. Check Out the Laskay Emporium and Post Office (1845, Laskay)

• Head to the Laskay Emporium and Post Office, an 1845 building that was once a general store and community hub. Learn about early commerce, postal services, and the items settlers would have purchased.

15. End at the Fisherville Church (1856, Thornhill)

• Finish your tour at the Fisherville Church, built in 1856. This charming church is often used for community events and weddings, preserving its role as a gathering place for generations.

Conclusion

The Village at Black Creek offers an authentic look at life in 19th-century Ontario. This self-guided tour provides a comprehensive journey through historic buildings, traditional trades, and heritage farm structures. Take your time exploring and absorbing the rich history of each stop for a true step back in time. Enjoy your visit!