Description

Flynn Mansion by P. Buckley Moss

Content & Subject

Flynn Mansion is a rare, signed, and numbered limited edition lithograph portraying a stately winter scene featuring the iconic Flynn Mansion at Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. The artwork beautifully captures a mother and child ice skating in front of the red-brick Italianate mansion, with geese quietly observing the scene—seamlessly blending heritage, leisure, and natural harmony.

This piece is part of Moss’s Historic Landmark Collection, as well as her Geese, Cow and Skating collections, making it a multi-thematic treasure for collectors of architectural and seasonal frameworks.

Historical Significance of the Flynn Mansion

• Constructed in 1870–71 for Martin and Ellen Flynn, Irish immigrants who built a 14-room Italianate mansion overlooking their expansive Walnut Hill Farm lhfflynnblogiowahistoryjournal.com.

• The mansion was remarkably advanced for its time, outfitted with gas lighting, central heating, and hot and cold running water—features few rural homes possessed in the 19th century lhfflynnblogiowamuseums.pastperfectonline.com.

• After Martin Flynn’s death in 1906, the estate became the Clive Honor Farm, a low-security prison farm under state ownership from 1915 to 1967 lhfflynnblogiowahistoryjournal.com.

• In 1969, Living History Farms acquired the property and has since meticulously restored the mansion and its barn to serve as a centerpiece of their open-air museum dedicated to Iowa’s agricultural heritage iowahistoryjournal.comWikipedia.

• The mansion, along with Flynn’s original barn, is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Flynn Farm historic district iowahistoryjournal.comWikipedia.

Style & Technique

Moss renders the mansion with her signature folk-art sensibility, emphasizing form, texture, and atmosphere. The elegant structure, highlighted in warm red tones, creates a majestic yet inviting focal point amid the soft whites and grays of a winter scene. The graceful figures of the skaters and the gentle presence of the geese bring motion and warmth, framing the mansion as both a historical monument and a setting for communal joy.

Mood & Inspiration

This lithograph radiates a mood of nostalgic elegance and serene celebration—reflecting Moss’s reverence for architectural heritage, family traditions, and seasonal beauty. The skating figures beneath the timeless mansion and curious geese symbolize continuity, connection, and the simple pleasures that ground us across generations.

Placement & Gift Ideas

Flynn Mansion is an ideal centerpiece in:

• Living rooms or family spaces—as an archive of heritage and artistry.

• Historic-themed displays—paired with vintage maps or architectural prints for a layered story.

• Cultural institutions or museum lounges—highlighting local history and artistry.

As a gift, this lithograph is perfect for:

• History enthusiasts—especially fans of Iowa heritage and architectural drama.

• Collectors of seasonal scenes or skates—for its blend of winter charm and landmark reverence.

• Living History Farms supporters or local Iowan residents—as a keepsake of cultural identity.

1984

Rare Art Print

Image Size: 20-1/2 x 16-1/2 inches. Paper Size: 23 x 16-1/2 inches.