Had there been Twitter in the summer of 1860, tweets in Kingston would have been about the upcoming visit of Queen Victoria’s son, the 18-year-old Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII. Kingston was one of several planned stops on the Prince’s tour of Canada and the United States. He and his entourage... Continue Reading →
Following the Timber
“Following the timber” isn’t a phrase you hear nowadays. But in the 19th century, this was a way of life for many people who worked in the logging industry. As lumber companies aggressively cut timber, whole forestry regions were depleted, triggering the company to move westward in search of new forests. Those dependent on the... Continue Reading →
Social Distancing at the Cataraqui Cemetery
At a time when we are constantly reminded of the rising death toll of COVID-19, it may seem strange to do a cemetery walk. Spring may be beckoning us outdoors, but do we really want to explore a cemetery? “Yes” is the answer. On a mild, spring day, I enjoyed a walk in the gorgeous... Continue Reading →
Beyond Classrooms at the Frontenac County Schools Museum
What if teachers could move their classes to a museum, an art gallery or a community site for a week to stimulate inquiry-based learning? What if teachers could plan a unique program with the help of professionals who have experience with these kinds of programs and could draw on community members who are able to... Continue Reading →
Mark your calendars for WinterLight on November 30th and All Aboard for the Holidays on December 7th and 8th
It was about this time last year that I took a drive out Highway 2 to the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum to participate in WinterLight. Now in its 8th year, WinterLight is a popular outing for both adults and children and it was easy to see why. This event has a great mix of activities in... Continue Reading →
Ontario Street: Brewers, Bakers and Boilermakers, 1830-1970
I liked it. I liked the alliteration. It drew me to the PumpHouse to see what their special exhibit was all about. Did they ever make beer at the PumpHouse? What about bread? I had visited the PumpHouse when I was a university student at Queen’s many years ago, but I don’t recall anything about... Continue Reading →
There’s more to the RMC grounds than you’d expect
With the sun shining brightly, I set off with photographer Sean McEvoy to explore the grounds of the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston. Having visited before, I knew that this was really two trips in one. The first trip was taking us to the site of the Royal Naval Dockyard, significant for its role... Continue Reading →
Steps away from Lake Ontario, I discovered the Museum of Health Care at Kingston
Twice in the last month, I’ve heard music as I approached Newlands Pavilion. Perhaps that’s not surprising given that this attractive wooden building was designed in 1896 as a music pavilion, but it’s nice to know that it is still being used for musical events and dances. It’s a very special part of Kingston’s waterfront,... Continue Reading →
Fashion, Light and Rembrandt at Agnes
If you’re ready to step out to an art gallery, you may want to visit Agnes to see Stepping Out, one of its four new exhibitions. This is a charming exhibition based on the historic practice of getting dressed up to visit a gallery. It features clothing from the 1860s to the 1970s along with... Continue Reading →
Discover the Original Hockey Hall of Fame
Photos & Article by Sean McEvoy (Title image courtesy of Original Hockey Hall of Fame) The first thing you notice when you walk into the Original Hockey Hall of Fame (OHHOF) at the Invista Centre is how much of an impact Kingston has made to the world of hockey. The NHL and the Canadian Amateur Hockey... Continue Reading →