Wife’s stories told at Gibson House
[attach]1446[/attach]Renowned storyteller Pauline Grondin brought Eliza Gibson’s story back to life during March’s Fabled City storytelling festival.
The 32nd annual festival, occurring in Toronto’s historic museums, showcases Canada’s storytellers re-enacting stories about our city’s roots. Grondin got in character as the wife of the famed David Gibson at the Gibson House museum on March 26.
Built by David Gibson, a Scottish immigrant who had once been banished from Upper Canada, the Gibson House remains a landmark on Yonge Street, serving as a popular Canadian cultural museum.
Grondin said it was a big task to understand the life of Eliza Gibson.
“There are no letters or diaries found belonging to Eliza Gibson so I basically had to recreate her story myself from David’s stories,” Grondin said. “I spent hours pouring into his life for information.”
Gibson was a land surveyor who helped map early Toronto. Wanted by the government for participating in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837, Gibson and his family were forced to flee to the United States where they remained for 11 years. Upon their return to York County, the Gibsons built the home.
In previous years, the Gibson House had portrayed David Gibson’s story but this year the museum managers decided to focus on his other half.
“It was a story about how the couple started their life — how she took care of their seven children, struggled through difficulties, all the way until Eliza was widowed,” Grondin said.
Grondin, who has portrayed historic figures dating from 1542 to 1937, used to create all her costumes herself. She recently hired her own heritage seamstress, who helped her prepare Eliza Gibson’s wardrobe.
“Playing (Eliza) was not hard,” Grondin said. “I enjoyed it and I got right into the character.”
Grondin became a Cub leader in 1973, where she used her talents in storytelling and music to entertain and teach her cub packs.
From then, her storytelling abilities have reached audiences not only in Canada, but also in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.
“I’ve been a storyteller my whole life, and it’s what I like to do,” Grondin said.