Author: museumskingstonblog
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The History of St. George’s Cathedral in Kingston
In February of 1792, the construction of Kingston’s first church (of any denomination) began. The history of St. George’s Cathedral spans centuries, from humble roots as a building “that resembled a barn more than a church” to the first cathedral in Kingston. St. George’s has been a defining monument in Kingston’s skyline for over 200…
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A Historic Church in Kingston, The Story of The Spire
The Spire, also known as the Sydenham Street United Church, is a community hub that promotes the arts and over 20 community and cultural groups. This historic church has been part of the Kingston skyline for more than 160 years and continues the vision of the pioneers who built this piece of history. Like many…
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The Art of Survival, A P4W Memorial Collective Exhibition
The Art of Survival, A Prison for Women Memorial Collective Exhibition, is a thought-provoking exhibition challenging any societal perceptions you have about Canada’s prison system. It highlights the artistic viewpoints of more than 30 local, national, and international artists and collectives of women currently or previously incarcerated in Canada. All works were either created inside…
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A Historic Place in Odessa, The Reopening of the Babcock Mill
The Historic Babcock Mill, built in 1856 and located on the banks of Millhaven Creek in Odessa, was officially reopened to the public by Loyalist Township on July 6th, 2023. For many, the wait for this day has been long. The historic place has been closed to the public for the last 30 years! As…
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What is the LodgePole Arts Alliance?
Written by: Eva Macdonald A story of cultural pride coupled with the infectious drive of its creators. A story of local roots and international aspirations. It is my pleasure to introduce LodgePole Arts Alliance. Grounded in tradition and rooted in East Woodland artistic expression, LodgePole Arts Alliance is an exciting initiative emerging from Wolfe Island.…
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History, Technology and Communication at the Military Communications & Electronics Museum
Written by: Dillon Chicoski Communication is something that everyone does every day. In our own lives and in the lives of everyone we know we can see the importance of communicating effectively. It should not be surprising that effective communication is also important in war. A general’s orders must find their way down to the…
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History By The Water
Written by: Shelley Yu Years ago, when I first came to Kingston and its surrounding areas, I discovered that a lot of popular tourist attractions were by the water, especially near Lake Ontario. What I was most excited about, however, was seeing the world renowned 1000 Islands, a collection of more than 1,800 islands along…
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Spread History, Not Germs: Visiting the Museum of Health Care at Kingston
Written By: Patricia Roussel Many invaluable lessons have emerged since the beginning of March 2020, when the world stopped at the hands of COVID-19. Whether it was the at-home coffee luxuries of online work or the relief of seeing toilet paper on store shelves, one thing can be sure: healthcare affects all of us and…
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World Class Art in Kingston: The Agnes Etherington Art Centre
Written by: Michaela Cardo, M.A. Conveniently located on Queen’s main campus is the Agnes Etherington Art Centre. It is home to a diverse collection of art, from Rembrandts to contemporary work by Indigenous and Black artists. With a rotating selection of exhibitions, it is a place you will want to visit more than once. The…
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The Rosamond Woolen Company and the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Written by: Emma Wyse If you are looking for an experience which perfectly marries history and the present, art with technology, and a stunning indoor space with outdoor activities, look no further than the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM). In operation since 1990, the museum is located in Almonte, about 1.45 hours from Kingston, and…
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Class Act: Frontenac County Schools Museum
Written by: Kate MacEwen When drafting your summer bucket list, visiting a classroom is not likely at the forefront of your mind. However, last month, I did just that after discovering the Frontenac County Schools Museum. This quaint non-profit offers a wealth of history with its thousands of artifacts certainly worth a trip out to…
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Bellevue House: A Multi-Faceted Experience for Everyone
Written by: Rachel Hamilton How do you solve a problem like Canadian history? Bellevue House has endeavored to provide an answer. History is created by people – complex, complicated people who attain incredible achievements and make horrific mistakes. Sir John A Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister, lived at Bellevue House for thirteen months between 1848…
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Fires and Fortitude: Stories of Historical Kingston Entrepreneurs
Written by: Linnea Uunila Kingston is well-known for its military and penitentiary histories, but there’s another important aspect of Kingston that is often overlooked: its businesses. One man that left his mark on the city was William Johnson. William was a black entrepreneur who moved to Kingston from Ohio around 1826. Despite racism and discrimination,…
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Investigating Ghosts at Smiths Falls Heritage House
I just returned from a trip to Smiths Falls, where I had a unique adventure– investigating ghosts. Two ghost hunting organizations, G.H.O.S.T. and Nightwatchmen Investigative Team, teamed up to host a fund-raising event for the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum. Although I was hesitant to go ghost hunting, my friend convinced me, and we took…
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The Kingston Scout Museum, A Unique Museum
As a member of Girl Guides, Scout’s sister organization, I was fascinated to find that Kingston had a museum dedicated to preserving its history. Scouting has a long history, not just in Canada but across the world, and I was particularly interested to see what Kingston’s history with it was. Did you know that Kingston…
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Learning the History of Military Communications at Kingston
Written By: Helen Cutts Years ago, when my timing belt broke on the highway, the damage to my engine was extensive. Even though I had replaced the belt not long before that, it didn’t last. That stroke of bad luck, however, didn’t change my view about the value of good oversight and maintenance. It’s the…