Lynde House is the oldest home in Durham Region. It was originally located on a 200-acre farm beside Lynde Creek, on Dundas Street in Whitby. The house is built in the Georgian style. Jabez Lynde (1773-1856) immigrated from Massachusetts, first with his father-in-law, Hawkins Woodruff, in 1799, to secure land in Upper Canada, and then permanently with his wife, Clarissa Woodruff Lynde (1774-1830), in 1803. The Lyndes were among the first settlers to the area. They raised eight children in the house – Sylvester, Hawkins, Clarissa, Louisa, Carleton, Araminta, Warner, and Elmina. Members of the family lived there until 1893.

Jabez Lynde was a Loyalist and served in the militia during the War of 1812. The Lyndes opened their home during that time as an inn, tavern and supply depot, where the British and First Nations militia could secure supplies on the way to battle in Niagara. One well-known visitor was General Isaac Brock. 

Lynde House has been moved twice. First, from its original location to Cullen Gardens in 1986, and again in 2013, to its permanent home at 900 Brock Street South. Thousands of people lined the streets to see the house moved.

Today, the Whitby Historical Society operates the Lynde House Museum, which is open for tours five days a week. 

The Museum boasts seven garden plots in Clarissa Lynde’s Heritage Kitchen Garden, located behind the house. Featured are medicinal plants, herbs, vegetables, including the Three Sisters, and plants for decorative and dye making. Produce is harvested in the fall by our volunteers, and is used for educational purposes, or donated. The Heritage Kitchen Garden ensures a legacy with which to engage the community, teaches people about the plants and their uses, and beautifies the Museum site.