Gibson House facts for kids
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| Location | 5172 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario M2N 5P6 |
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| Type | historic house museum |
| Official name: David Gibson House | |
| Designated: | 15 December 1980 |
Gibson House is a cool historical museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It's located on Yonge Street, in the North York Centre area of what used to be the city of North York. This museum lets you step back in time and see what life was like for a family in the 1800s.
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History of Gibson House
The land where Gibson House stands was first bought by David Gibson. He was an immigrant from Scotland and worked as a land surveyor. This was before a big event called the Rebellion of 1837.
David Gibson and the Rebellion
During the Rebellion of 1837, David Gibson was involved in a protest against the government. Because of this, his first house was destroyed. He was also forced to leave Upper Canada, which is now Ontario. Gibson and his family moved to Lockport in New York, USA.
Even though he was forced to leave, David Gibson still owned his land near Toronto. His wife was allowed to travel between Lockport and Toronto. She collected money from their farm while he was away.
Returning Home and Building a New House
In 1843, David Gibson and many others involved in the Rebellion were forgiven. He returned with his family to the Toronto area in 1848. In 1851, he built the house you see today. The style of the house shows that he was a successful man. Some of the furniture and decorations inside even show hints of his time living in the United States.
Gibson House is set back from Yonge Street, which was one of the first roads in the area. Today, Yonge Street is known as one of the world's longest streets! The house used to welcome horse-drawn carriages right to its front door. Gibson House is one of several museums run by the City of Toronto.
The Famous Apple Tree
In 1832, David Gibson planted an apple orchard on his property. Today, only one of those original apple trees remains. It stands at the corner of Yonge Street and Park Home Avenue. This special tree still grows Tolman Sweet apples! In 2016, it was even chosen as a "Survivor" in a local survey of Toronto trees. New trees have been grown from parts of this old tree.
Protecting This Historic Home
Gibson House is a red brick farmhouse built in the Georgian Revival style. This means it looks like the grand homes built during the Georgian era. It is officially protected under a law called the Ontario Heritage Act. The former City of North York gave it this special protection on December 15, 1980.
Why Gibson House is Protected
The law protects Gibson House because it's a beautiful example of a Georgian-style home. It has a balanced and even front with many windows. The main doorway is also very special, with a curved window above it.
The house is important because of David Gibson's story. He was an early farmer and surveyor. He was also a politician who supported William Lyon Mackenzie during the Rebellion. After his first house was burned, he returned to build this one.
Gibson House is also listed as a "Passport Place" by the National Trust for Canada. This means it's a featured historic site on their website.
Fun Programs at Gibson House
You can take tours of Gibson House to learn about its history. The museum connected to the house shows what life was like for the Gibson family. They lived there well into the 1900s!
Activities for Kids
Gibson House has special programs for children. They welcome school groups and even host birthday parties. On certain days, like July 1st, guests can enjoy fun activities. You can play old-fashioned games, try tasty treats from the kitchen, and even help make ice cream!
Museum Connections
Gibson House is connected to several important museum groups. These include the CMA, the CHIN, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
See also
