As the colder months roll through it can be difficult to find activities to keep yourself and the kids entertained. While Kingston boasts over 40 museums, to visit, not all of them are operational during the winter season. However, some sites in Kingston are open to the public on reduced hours! Want to get out of the house, but stay away from the chill? We suggest checking out some of Kingston Museums open during the winter months!
What Kingston Museums are Open in the Winter?
Museum of Health Care at Kingston
Across from Kingston Health Science Centre, the Ann Baille building is one of many National Historic Sites within Kingston. Completed in 1904, the building housed nursing students from its opening in 1904, until the school’s closure in 1973. A home away from home for many of the students, the residence was seen as a place to rest and reset while forming lifelong friendships.
From 1904-1942 the building was simply referred to as “the Nurses’ Home”. However, in 1942 the name of the building was changed in memory of a much-beloved nursing school superintendent, Ann Baille.
The building was given its National Historic Site status in 1998 and continues on as a symbol of the nursing profession, their struggles, and their contribution to the community as health care professionals.
Originally a gallery in the Hall of Honour within Kingston General Hospital (now Kingston Health Science Centre) in 1994. The museum relocated to the Ann Baille building in 1995. When you step into the museum you’ll learn about the past, present, and future of Canadian health and medicine. From the history of dentures and Canadian medical innovations to healthcare practices during the First World War, and the evolution of mental health treatment.
The Museum of Health Care is open year-round but operates on reduced hours during the winter months. Visitors are encouraged to visit for either a self-guided tour or with one of their tour guides. Admission is by donation and is open Wednesday-Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm until June 1st! Be sure to check out their website to learn more and plan your visit.
Great Lakes Museum
Formerly known as the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes Museum takes a look at the unique history Kingston has with the world’s largest inter-connected body of freshwater. In 1975 the museum was formed by a group of local divers who wanted to protect the artifacts they found while exploring shipwrecks. Since its establishment, (with a brief period at another location) the museum complex has been part of the National Historic Site of the Kingston Dry Docks, a significant port in Canada’s history since 1890.
At the museum, visitors can experience what life was like in the Naval Reserve, learn the significance of the Dry Dock, and now, they can marvel at the newest addition to the museum, the SS Keewatin. The exterior of this “last of its kind ship” is available to view, but won’t be ready for tours of the interior until the spring of 2024!
The Great Lakes Museum is open to visit Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm until May. Admission pricing varies; adults are $8, youth $6 and children under 5 are free. You can visit the Great Lakes Museum website to learn more and to plan your visit!
PumpHouse
Facing Lake Ontario, the PumpHouse is home to one of only six preserved water-pumping stations in North America. This industrious building has been a staple of Kingston’s waterfront since it began supplying Kingstonians with running water in 1851. Within the museum, visitors will find the newest exhibit ‘The Stuff Stories Are Made Of’. An impressive collection of model trains that can be set in motion. And of course, a display of the original waterworks from the 19th century!
The story of the PumpHouse dates all the way back to 1834 when Kingston was faced with an outbreak of Cholera which caused the death of 1 in 16 residents. It wasn’t until 1842, eight years after the Cholera outbreak, and two years after the Great Fire of Kingston) that it was decided a Water Works system was needed to preserve the health and safety of citizens. The Pumphouse continued to pump water from Lake Ontario into the city until it closed in 1952. In 2006 the City of Kingston took over the management of the museum and rebranded it as the PumpHouse Museum.
The PumpHouse operates year-round and admission is charged. They offer daily admission prices, as well as season passes. Visit times for the museum are Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. To learn more about their current exhibits and ongoing programs and events, check out their website to plan your visit.
Miller Museum of Geology
A hidden gem within the Queen’s campus, Kingston’s “Dinosaur Museum” features a wide range of minerals, crystals and fossils from the Kingston area and around the world. Named after the first Provincial Geologist for Ontario (1902-1925), Willet Green Miller was a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy from 1898 to 1923 and President from 1908 to 1909.
Born in Norfolk County on the Northern shores of Lake Erie, Miller grew up with a good education and an interest in chemistry. When it came time to attend university he enrolled in geology and mineralogy courses at the University of Toronto. This decision was influenced by his father who had an interest in the flowers, trees, and rocks around him. Miller’s education continued to grow in the following years. He attended Harvard, and the University of Chicago, and then completed his studies after graduating from the University of Heidelberg in Germany.
In 1893, Miller was appointed as a Professor of Geology and Petrography at Queen’s University (then known as Queen’s College), a position he held until 1902. During his time at Queen’s Miller worked hard to advance his field of science. Surveying and mapping the areas during his time off and developing innovative research techniques. He wrote scientific articles on geology, government reports, and even a textbook. He was considered a brilliant geologist by his peers, and students were fortunate to learn from him.
Six years after Millers died the construction of Miller Hall began. The large limestone building that still stands today, is home to the Miller Museum of Geology. The museum is free to all and visitors are encouraged to take self-guided tours between Monday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Frontenac County Schools Museum
In the quiet streets of Barriefield Villiage, sits the Frontenac County Schools Museum. Preserving the heritage of rural education, this one-room school showcases what classrooms were like during the 19th century. Complete with desks, slates and books that were used over 100 years ago by teachers and students.
In 1973, a small group of retired educators began a project to commemorate Kingston’s Tercentenary. The group researched and photographed schools, collected books and artifacts, and cataloged hundreds of school records. Six years after its inception, the museum was opened to the public. A little over 25 years later, after a brief closure, the museum was reopened in Barriefield. Today, the gallery rotates exhibits, showcasing artifacts around themes like art, technology, penmanship and poetry. The items on display vary from musical instruments, children’s toys, photographs, vintage and antique books, clothing and more.
The Frontenac County Schools Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visitors are encouraged to visit for either a self-guided tour or with one of their tour guides. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Be sure to check out their website to learn more and plan your visit.
As Canada’s first capital, Kingston is rich in history and heritage, and as Canada’s museum capital, visitors can learn and be inspired by the stories around them. If you are interested in visiting more museums this winter, be sure to check the KAM website for more museums outside of Kingston that are open this winter!
Written by: Kingston & Area Association of Museums
If you would like to learn more about the Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites of Kingston and the Area start by exploring the spaces around you!