The numbers are in and HANGMAN’s GRAVEYARD pulled in a remarkable 190 00 (+2) viewers!!! All of us involved with Hangman’s Graveyard would like to offer you, the audience, a big round of applause and our deepest gratitude. We have been humbled by your reaction to the film and we are thrilled that stories from Canada’s past can reach a wide audience!!!
We have had such an amazing response from the audience for Hangman’s Graveyard that we have decided to post some of the best comments on our website.
Congratulations! Hangman’s Graveyard was a truly great program. Your commentary, the photography and the way it told the story of both the Don Jail and your work there, all gave the program great impact, with its combination of horror and sensitivity. Ed Rutherford
Quite enjoyed watching Hangman’s Graveyard on the History Channel last night. Well done! Chris Watts
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Garnet Fraser of the Toronto Star has selected Hangman’s Graveyard as recommended viewing.
Skeleton crew: Archeologists excavate an old burial site at Toronto’s infamous Don Jail inHangman’s Graveyard. They find the skeletal remains of 15 men who went to the gallows between 1880 and 1932 and try to learn about who they were. We bet they were … convicts. (History at 8pm)
Read Five Worth Watching.
HANGMAN’s GRAVEYARD has been selected as recommended viewing by Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press.
Sunday, Dec. 6
• A team of archeologists excavates an old burial site at Toronto’s infamous Don Jail inHangman’s Graveyard. They end up finding the skeletal remains of 15 men who went to the gallows between 1880 and 1932. What follows is an investigation into who the men were. (History Television)
Full picks HERE
HANGMAN’s GRAVEYARD has been selected as a Critic’s Pick in today’s Globe & Mail.
The Hangman’s Graveyard
Prepare to feel goose bumps while watching this snapshot of dark Toronto history. In September, 2007, a team of archaeologists headed by Dr. Ron Williamson excavated an old burial site located beneath the city’s infamous Don Jail. The team stumbled upon the skeletal remains of 15 unlucky men who perished at the end of a noose at the old jail between 1880 and 1932. This program identifies the victims and the crimes that sent each man to the gallows.
Read Entire Critic’s Picks HERE
Wonderful piece in today’s Toronto Star by Brendan Kennedy
Few buildings arouse the fascination and curiosity of Torontonians like the old Don Jail.
With good reason. The Don’s history of hangings and hauntings is lurid; its stature, impressive and imposing.
At Doors Open Toronto in May, history buffs and true-crime junkies waited more than four hours to explore its decrepit cells and eerie gallows.
And on Sunday, their thirst for gruesome mysteries will be satiated again with an hour-long documentary about the discovery of the remains of 15 men, all hanged at the jail and buried in unmarked graves. ….
Read Full Article HERE
Great article in yesterday’s Toronto Sun from Joe Warmington
You never know what dark secrets of Toronto’s past are being kept by the very earth right below your feet.
And you never know when those secrets will be unearthed.
For years there were stories of how the property of the Old Don Jail held a hangman’s cemetery, containing the bodies of men executed in the 1800s and into the 1900s.
“But nobody knew for sure,” said Toronto’s Dr. Ronald Williamson yesterday. “It had been rumoured but had not been historically substantiated.” …..
Read Full Article HERE
