HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-07-15, Page 19Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - Page A19
Guided Historic Gaol tours bring history to life
signal -star staff
In the years following its official open-
ing, the immense stone walls encasing the
Huron County Gaol were scaled — a num-
ber of times.
More than a dozen prisoners escaped
from the architectural gem as the 19th
century wound down, according to Jo-
. seph Griffin, gaol Governor from 1896 to
1924.
"For 20 years,, the original walls were
climbed at the corners leading to many es-
capes," he said. "In 186k the watts were
expanded. Now Minding,*two feet, wide
and 18 feet tall, I've nevi' had an' inmate
escape during my time here."
Griffin is' one of four characters ripped
from the history books that have come to
life through the Huron County Museum's
Behind the Bars feature now on at the his-
toric gaol:::
Every Thursday evening throughout
July and August, step back in time to 1902
and join Griffin, his wife Eleanor, and
his daughter Mary as they _walk visitors
through their home and workplace.
The theatrical tour was penned by
Amanda Falconer, a summer student at
the museum and gaol hailing -=$the
Auburn area. Her three student peers, Vic-
tor Kloeze of Goderich, Jessica Wheeler
of Londesborough and Maaike V Hit-
tersum of the Blyth area, join her weekly
in costume. Together, the historic corps
takes visitors through their _home in the
Victor Kloeze, as former Gaol Governor. Joseph Griffin,
first portion of Behind The Bars, a guided tour of the
place every Thursday throughout the summer.
year 1902 to offer a glimpse of the area's
correctional past.
As acting Gaol Matron for four years,
Goon's eldest daughter, Mary, has seen
her share of criminals. Overseeing the
women and children's cellblock, she takes
note of the high -traffic insanity and va-
grancy -heavy wing where her youngest
prisoner, an eight-year-old boy, spent his
time after be' hanged with theft.
Photo
by
Dominique Milburn
leads guests through the
Historic Gaol. Tours take
"Vagrancy is a large crime as well,"
Mary said while sweeping through the
narrow halls of the second and third floors.
"We have a lot of women with their chil-
dren in here because they have nowhere
else to go."
But behind some of the massive stone
lies a very different scene. Completed just
one year earlier for the sum of $3,000,
new wife and current Gaol Matron Elea-
nor Griffin proudly displays her new home
and its opulent upgrades from the former
governor's quarters.
"A large entry is an indication of afflu-
ence," Eleanor explains to guests. "Ours
is a bit larger than a home this size would
otherwise have to make up for our back-
yard being a gaol."
"I think they've done a great job with
this and I hope a lot of people get the
chance to come out and see it," said Eliza-
beth French, assistant curator of the Hu-
ron County Museum and Historic Gaol.
"We've done guided. tours in the ' past.
They're popular during the summer and it
adds a bit more .to the regular hours and
self -guided audio tours."
Behind the Bars take place every Thurs-
day. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. with tours
beginning at 7:30 p.m. Regular admission
rates apply - adults $5, children $3.50. A
limited number of tickets are available
for each weekly performance and can be
picked up ahead of time, reserved, or pur-
chased at the door.
The Historic Gaol is open daily through-
out the summer. Regular hours are Mon-
day to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and
Sunday 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Huron Historic Gaol is located at
the corner of Victoria St. North (Hwy. 21)
and Gloucester Terrace in Goderich.
For more information about summer
events please call the Huron Historic Gaol
at 519-524-6971 or visit their web site
at www.huroncounty.ca/museum.
Safely lose
2-7 lbs
a weekl
S AL 1 !
• Qsakic and easy results using
grocery store-bought foods
and herbal supplomonts
Full Weight Loss
Program!*
*i !mit d'tlmr offer, Products lacers.
• tine -onion* ~moiling
with ongoing maintenance
Diabetic„ rn nopausaI,
adolescent and other
specialy programa ma avai
Steve Howard lost 65 pounds
"Changing my lifestyle with the help. o
the exceptional staff at Herbal One has
given rile the energy, bothphysically and
' mentally, to be successful. I've got a
renewed sense of confidence!"
Kathy Rivett lost 31 pounds
"A quick, comfortable weight loss that was easy to
control, and also easy to maintain. This prograr» teaches
you many little tips to help with weight loss, and how
to make simple changes to daily eating habits. 1 am
very happy with my overall success."
M
CALL FOR YOVRIORBE CONSULTATION!
GODERICH 51 9 -5 Z4 - 7999
04 South St. Oust off the Square)
.a'ayv
ZIT"