Gibson House

In 1851, a sturdy red brick house rose amidst the bustling landscape of what is now North York. This was Gibson House, a testament to the resilience of its owner, David Gibson. Gibson, a Scottish immigrant, had originally purchased the land in 1829. He was a land surveyor who helped shape the early streets of Toronto. Gibson House is more than just a building. It’s a time capsule holding the story of a man caught in the whirlwind of rebellion. David Gibson, a supporter of William Lyon Mackenzie, found himself on the wrong side of the law during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion. His original home was burned to the ground, and he was banished to the United States. He settled in Lockport, New York with his family, always with the hope of returning to his beloved land. Gibson’s pardon finally arrived in 1843. He returned to his property in 1848, and Gibson House, as we know it today, began to take shape. Built in the Georgian Revival style, it stands as a symbol of his triumphant return. Gibson House sits back from Yonge Street. Imagine horse-drawn carriages once gracing its front door. Today, the house is a museum operated by the City of Toronto, offering a glimpse into the life of a 19th-century family. One fascinating detail remains from Gibson’s time. A lone Tolman Sweet apple tree, planted in 1832 as part of Gibson’s orchard, still stands at the corner of Yonge Street and Park Home Avenue. This tree is a living link to the past, a silent witness to the history unfolding around Gibson House. Step inside Gibson House and you’ll be transported back in time. You can almost smell the wood smoke from the kitchen hearth and the beeswax used to polish the furniture. Explore the rooms and learn about the Gibson family’s life. Gibson House allows you to not just see history, but to experience it with all your senses.