Canada’s first ‘talking statue’ debuts at Banting House

Banting House 'talking statue' in London, Ont. (Source: Diabetes Canada)

The Banting House National Historic Site is launching Canada’s first interactive “talking statue” with the story of Sir Frederick Banting.

Starting now, guests can scan a QR code on the statue in Sir Frederick Banting Square and receive a personalized phone call from the Canadian hero, voiced by actor R.H. Thomson.

The statue is part of the global Talking Statues project, a program that transforms public monuments into interactive storytelling experiences.

Banting House at 442 Adelaide St North, in London, Ont. is the first cultural institution in Canada to participate in the global program.

“This is a fun way to connect Canadians—especially younger generations—with the legacy of Sir Frederick Banting,” said Grant Maltman, curator of Banting House. “His discovery of insulin transformed global health and saved countless lives. Now, visitors can hear directly from Banting himself, in his own words. We’re honouring Banting’s extraordinary legacy while inviting people to engage with his story in an entirely new way.”

R.H. Thomson, who brought Banting to life on screen in the 1988 film “Glory Enough For All” reprises his role for the talking statue, lending his distinctive voice (in both English and French) to the man who gave the world insulin.

Visitors can access the experience anytime, even when the museum is closed, by visiting Banting Square and scanning the QR code.