Lawrence Ostola Director, Museum & Heritage Services

Economic Development & Culture Metro Hall, 8th Floor Tel: 416-392-9135 Michael H. Williams 55 John Street Fax: 416-392-6834 General Manager , M5V 3C6 Email: [email protected]

October 2, 2017

Request for recognition of event of municipal significance From: Gibson House Museum

Statement of Significance Gibson House Museum requests that the event, To the New Year: A Gibson House Hogmanay Dinner, be listed as an Event of Municipal Significance.

Historical Significance Gibson House Museum is located at 5172 and is associated with the life of Scottish immigrant David Gibson and his family, prominent members of the rural Willow Dale community in Township and significant figures in the history of , including the Rebellion of 1837. David (1804-1864) immigrated to Upper Canada (Ontario) in 1825 and worked as a surveyor here for many years. Gibson assisted in mapping much of early Toronto, including the city's streets and sidewalks, and was also a successful farmer and an influential politician in his local district. David was a member of the Legislative Assembly in 1834 and 1836, as well as a leader of the Reform movement.

The Scottish celebrated the New Year more so than Christmas since the time of the Reformation. When Protestant Reformers attacked the traditions of Christmas, Scots cut back heavily on their Christmas celebrations and transferred them to the New Year. It is believed that the term "Hogmanay" comes from a French phrase - au gui, l'année - meaning "to the mistletoe, the New Year".

In a Scottish household such as the Gibsons', everything would be put in order before the New Year arrived – clocks wound, equipment (such as David's surveying equipment) would be calibrated, bills paid and debts collected – so that by midnight on December 31st the house was clean and polished, ready to welcome the coming year.

Special foods wood be prepared for the celebrations and an hour or two before midnight, steaming kettles of Het Pint – a blend of eggs, warm ale and whisky – were carried through the streets and shared among all. After midnight, the young people would set out on "first footing" expeditions.

On the stroke of midnight, the head of the household threw open the doors and windows to let out the Old Year and welcome the New. Bells would be rung, pots banged and trays clanged in the belief that the noise would scare away any malicious spirits lurking in the house. Then the windows would be shut tight to keep the evil spirits from creeping back in. All present sang Auld Lang Syne and the First Footers would start to arrive.

The First Footer is the first person (other than a member of the household) to cross the threshold after midnight. His appearance is held to indicate the character of the luck that would attend the household throughout the coming year. The greater the number of First Footers, the more honoured the household. At Gibson House Museum, First Footers are welcomed twice during the holiday season – once for each of our Hogmanay special events.

Name of the Event To the New Year: A Gibson House Hogmanay Dinner

Exact Address or Location of the Event Gibson House Museum 5712 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario M2N 5P6

The Purpose of the Event Gibson House Museum's restoration and interpretation focus on the domestic and public lives of David and Eliza Gibson. The event, To the New Year: A Gibson House Hogmanay Dinner , helps Gibson House meet its interpretive goals and enhance its immersive and experiential programming for the public. It further celebrates the religious and cultural diversity that has existed in our community since the arrival of European settlers.

The event takes place on two evenings. All attendees at To the New Year: A Gibson House Hogmanay Dinner are treated to a three-course dinner comprised of typical Scottish festive dishes, traditional entertainment and a full helping of interactive history!

The Date and Time of the Event Thursday, December 28, 2017 Start Time: 6 p.m. End Time: 9:30 p.m. And Friday, December 29, 2017 Start Time: 6 p.m. End Time: 9:30 p.m.

Contact: Alexandra Kim Acting Curator Gibson House Museum Museum and Heritage Services Economic Development and Culture City of Toronto 416-395-7432