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"36 Questions that Lead to Loving Kingston" inside Market Wing Cultural Space, Tuesday-Thursday, 1-4 p.m. City Hall Guided Tours 2024 season is in the works!

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Our City's Heart and Heritage

A prominent landmark on the Kingston waterfront since 1844, City Hall is the symbolic centre of the community's civic government and administration. Originally designed by architect George Browne when Kingston was the capital of the United Province of Canada, City Hall is one of the finest 19th-century buildings in Canada and a nationally designated heritage site.

In addition to municipal government and City Council, the building has hosted many different organizations and services over the years including a bank, a saloon, church groups, theatre productions, a courtroom and a women's medical school. Learn more about Kingston City Hall's history in Fast Facts below.

City Hall Tours

Learn more about Kingston City Hall's fascinating history, beautiful architecture – and about the intriguing people, events and stories associated with this national historic site. Those interested in heritage architecture will also enjoy the Heritage Resource Centre in the Market Square wing. Admission is by donation.

Guided Tours

If you want to see more of City Hall, consider taking a free guided tour which gains you exclusive access to the 1840s jail cells in the City Hall lockup gallery, the Victoria Library and inside City Hall’s clock tower dome!

Guided Tour Schedule

Tours have finished for the 2023 season.

What to Expect

Tours will last approximately 45 minutes and are limited to 20 visitors at a time. Tours are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

People interested in taking a guided tour should visit the tour desk in the main lobby of City Hall. Guests requiring an accessible entry can use the Market Street entrance. Saturday tour groups are asked to line up at the base of the stairs leading to the front entrance of City Hall and guides will meet groups there to start the tour.

Tours in Other Languages

Call 613-544-7867 to arrange a tour by a guide who speaks any of the following languages.

French
German
Mandarin
Turkish

Groups & Special Interests

Tours can be customized to accommodate varied interests.  Advanced notice is requested for groups larger than 6 people and school groups. To book your tour of City Hall, email cityhalltours@cityofkingston.ca or call 613-544-7867

Online tours

An online tour is also available via City Hall Chronicles.

Self-guided tours

Come explore City Hall where the history buff can study Kingston's history and stories through artifacts in niches throughout with building. Fans of architecture can enjoy City Halls British Renaissance Style Neoclassical design as well as the beautiful Memorial Hall featuring stained glass windows from our Civic Collection honouring the sacrifice of Kingstonians in WWII. If politics is your thing, learn about governing Kingston in the John Counter Room and Council Chambers as well as viewing the extensive collection of historic mayoral portraits.

Ask at the tour desk for a self-guided tour sheet.

Become a Tour Guide

Have a passion for history and community? Want to share the history of the City of Kingston and City Hall with the public? Join the Kingston City Hall Tour Guide Program and help share the story of Kingston with locals and visitors from around the world.

Apply Now

Market Wing Cultural Space

Exhibit "36 Questions that Lead to Loving Kingston" is on!

The Market Wing Cultural Space, located within City Hall, has been designed to house exhibitions and programs that combine history and the arts to highlight Kingston and explore a diversity of histories, stories and ideas relevant to residents and visitors alike. The Market Wing also includes a dedicated space to showcase Indigenous history and culture and the people who have lived in this area since time immemorial.  The development of this content will be led by an Indigenous curator and involve ongoing consultations with the community.

36 Questions that Lead to Loving Kingston

Discover a deeper connection with your city through the exhibition "36 Questions that Lead to Loving Kingston." This interactive and fully bilingual exhibition invites Kingston residents to explore the bond we share with our city and with each other. It provides a fun, playful and colourful opportunity to share your opinions, celebrate what you love, and express the challenges you face.

“36 Questions that Lead to Loving Kingston” includes six stations, each featuring six questions, that lead visitors through an increasingly in-depth and intimate exploration of their connection to Kingston. The exhibition evolves and changes based on the number of people who participate and it also offers the chance to gain fresh insights into the lives of your family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and even visitors to Kingston by exploring their shared responses.

Take this opportunity to strengthen existing bonds and forge new connections by engaging in a diversity of meaningful conversations sparked by the exhibition's prompts. This immersive experience will ignite the spark of connection within our vibrant community, enabling you to fall in love with Kingston anew.

Visit this free exhibit:

When

Tuesday-Thursday, 1 – 4 p.m. (Not operating on holidays. Schedule subject to change, check our website or social media before visiting)

Where

Market Wing Cultural Space inside City Hall at 216 Ontario St.

This exhibition was originated by Myseum of Toronto and was on view from March 19 to December 23, 2022. It has been adapted for Kingston with permission and with the input of Myseum of Toronto staff.

Civic Portraits

The gallery below offers a glimpse of Kingston's former Mayors portraits posted in City Hall.

kingston media gallery portlet

Date: 2014-10-20
Dr. James McCammon; 1884
Book binder, schoolteacher, principal, physician, lecturer, trustee, member of the Medical Council of Ontario, and Sunday school superintendent; James McCammon was many things besides a politician and renown speaker and debater. Born on Johnson Street, he travelled to Toronto, Western Canada, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, and Paris to study and learn. He died in office as Mayor of Kingston.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Memorial Hall, wall on left of the doorway
Date: 2014-10-20
John Creighton; 1863-1865
School chum and life-long friend of Sir John A Macdonald, John Creighton was also a printer, newspaper manager, book store owner, president of the Kingston Typographical Society, and Warden of Kingston Penitentiary. During his political career, he rebuilt the Market Wing of City Hall (after the fire), installed clocks in the dome of City Hall, enlarged City Park, improved sanitary conditions in town, and was a staunch believer of public support for the poor.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Clerk's area hallway to left of Sir John A Macdonald room
Date: 2014-10-20
Samuel T. Drennan; 1872
Samuel Trangott Drennan was a dry goods store clerk and owner, ship’s purser, fire fighter, and cabinet shop owner, as well as a politician. His cabinet shop was first set up in the Penitentiary. After it burnt, he re-established it outside. Drennan was involved in many groups and pursuits; righting the affairs of the House of Industry, laying the corner stone for the ‘new’ fire house on Ontario Street, turning the first sod on the K & P Railway. His portrait was presented to him by the Directors of the House of Industry. His son, William Melville Drennan, would also serve as a Mayor of Kingston.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Right side of the stage in Memorial Hall
Date: 2014-10-20
Dr. Thomas W. Robison; 1844-1845
Physician by trade, Dr. Thomas Weeks Robison also owned a book store (City Book Store at King & Brock St., later owned by John Creighton), partly owned a drug store, was a partner of Chewett and Co. Axle Factors, owned stock in both the City Gas and Water Works, and was Police Magistrate for over twenty years (succeeded by John Creighton). As Mayor, Robison presided over the completion of the ‘new’ City Hall.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Middle of the stage in Memorial Hall
Date: 2014-10-20
Henry Cunningham; 1873
Along with Edwin Chown, Henry Cunningham established the Victoria Foundry and then The Stove Works, one of the largest manufacturers in Ontario until it closed. President of the Canadian Iron Foundry Association, Kingston Board of Trade, Midland Central Fair Association, Kingston Locomotive Association, and director of the K & P Railway Association, Cunningham was well versed in the working trades of Kingston. He was also a Captain in the Princess of Wales Own Regiment, and was awarded a medal for his service in the Fenian Raids.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Left left side of the stage in Memorial Hall
Date: 2014-10-20
John M. Shaw; 1902
A Kingstonian from his birth to his death, few details are known about John Morgan Shaw. He was part owner of Henry Skinner & Company, a wholesale drug and chemical business on Princess Street, and secretary of the Kingston Old Boys.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Cutts
Shot Location: Landing at entrance to Memorial Hall
Date: 2014-10-20
John Gaskin; 1882
Captain of the ship ‘Ranger’, manager of a large transportation company and president of the Board of Trade, John Gaskin was an opinionated, strong tempered man who had a controversial political career. More than 1500 people attended his funeral; several carriages were required to carry the floral tributes. The ‘Gaskin Lion’ that is now in Macdonald Park originally graced the front lawn of John Gaskin’s home on Clergy Street.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Sir John A Macdonald Room
Date: 2014-10-20
Archibald Livingston; 1871
Store owner and merchant of wine and spirits, his business was on the corner of Princess and Bagot Street. Archibald Livingston appears to have had a quiet political career. He was an active member of his church and a shareholder in the K & P Railway Company. He is not known to have been related to the two other mayors of Kingston who also bear the surname Livingston.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Hallway to right of front desk
Date: 2014-10-20
Edward J.B. Pense; 1881
Born into the family who owned the British Whig paper, John Edward Barker Pense built the British Whig building (corner of Clarence and King St.) and increased newspaper circulation seven fold. Involved in boards of local institutions and lived at Ongawanda (440 King St.). The town of Pense, Saskatchewan was named after him.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Sir John A Macdonald Room
Date: 2014-10-20
Dr. Michael Sullivan; 1874-1875
Doctor, Surgeon, Professor, member of Medical Council of Ontario and of Dominion Medical Association, Kingston Hospital Trustee, Conservative Senator. Dr. Michael Sullivan
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2014-10-20
Shot By: William Sawyer
Shot Location: Hallway to left of front desk

Content - EXP - Culture - City Hall jail title

City Hall's ‘Gaol (Jail)'

kingston media gallery portlet

Date: 2016-05-17
Cell Door
Wooden cell door original to the 1844 construction of City Hall and its police station and attached lockup for prisoners.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2016-05-17
Shot By: City of Kingston Civic Collection
Shot Location:
Date: 2016-05-17
City Hall Police Court
City Hall had its own police court until 1971. These constables are in the court space now occupied by the City Clerk’s office, circa 1904.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2016-05-17
Shot By: Kingston Police Collection
Shot Location:
Date: 2016-05-17
Kingston Police hockey team
Kingston Police hockey team, circa 1930
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2016-05-17
Shot By: Kingston Police Collection
Shot Location:
Date: 2016-05-17
Motorcycle officers
Motorcycle officers at Market Square entrance to City Hall police station, 1950's
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2016-05-17
Shot By: Kingston Police Collection
Shot Location: Market Square entrance
Date: 2016-05-17
Alfred Frederick Davies
Kingston Police at the Market Street entrance to the City Hall police station, circa 1906.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2016-05-17
Shot By: Private Collection
Shot Location: Market Street
Date: 2016-05-17
Constables in Market Square
This photo is a delightful slice of Kingston life circa 1900. On a typical day in Market Square, two constables can be seen standing in the centre of the image.
Post By: Web Admin
Post Date: 2016-05-17
Shot By:
Shot Location: Market Square

Content - Explore - Culture - History - City Hall mid

City Hall also housed Kingston's original police headquarters. Opened in 1844, the design of the police department included working spaces for the constables and several cramped, dark basement cells to hold men, women and children arrested on suspicion of an array of crimes. These holding cells remained in regular use until 1906 and survive today as material evidence of nineteenth-century policing technique. The cells are currently the focus of a project to restore the spaces and use them to interpret the historical experience of ordinary Kingstonians and their encounters with social hardship, crime and the criminal justice system.

The 175th anniversary of the Kingston Police was marked in 2016. Recent renovations preserve and restore the original City Hall police holding cells, in use from 1844 to 1906. Adaptation of the areas around the lockup provide historical context through an accessible modern gallery showcasing some of the heritage collection belonging to the Kingston Police.

Memorial Hall Windows

kingston media gallery portlet

Date: 2017-06-23
Ypres
The cartoon from which this window was made is by Bernard Partridge and appeared in "Punch" shortly after the second battle of Ypres. It was at the Battle of Ypres when the Germans for the first time used their deadly gasses, and the Canadians by their unparalleled courage barred the way to Calais, and brought great honour not only to Canada but to the British Empire.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2017-06-23
Shot By:
Shot Location: April, 1915
Date: 2017-06-23
Mons
This window, like Ypres and Scapa Flow, is by Bernard Partrigde and from "Punch". To the "Princess Pats", the first Canadians Regiment to enter the war, came the honour of being the first of the Allied Troops victoriously to re-enter Mons, the historic city where in 1914 the gallant British "Old Contemptibles" had first fought so desperately. The City was completely occupied by the Canadians by two o'clock on the morning of November 11th, three hours before the signing of the Armistice, a new record being established by breaking the German's strongest defences, and reaching the furthest point of the Allies great advance.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2017-06-23
Shot By:
Shot Location: November 11, 1918
Date: 2014-06-20
Amiens
This window was developed from photographs taken at the Riding Establishment of the Royal Military College, and is correct in every detail. It was at the Battle of Amiens, August, 1918, when the Canadians, on the first day of the battle, advanced 14,000 yards in one day, the deepest penetration made in one day during the period of war.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By: August, 1918
Shot Location:
Date: 2014-06-20
Cambrai
This window is from a photograph taken in France of a Canadian Airman as he was ready to enter his aircraft. Approximately 13,000 Canadians served in the Royal Air Force. The Battle of Cambrai began on September 27th, 1918, and on October 9th the Canadians, after heavy losses, took Cambrai and made large captures of men and materials.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: 1918
Date: 2014-06-20
Jutland
This window refers to the heroism of the British Midshipman. At the Battle of Jutland, the entire gun crew of one of the cruisers lost their lives. Jack Cornwell was found at his post mortally wounded. When he was asked why he did not leave his reply was typical of the British seaman: "I thought I might be wanted." He died from wounds shortly after the engagement. His Mother was presented with his Victoria Cross
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: May 31, 1916
Date: 2014-06-20
Lens
The design for this window was taken from the Publication known as "Queen Mary's Gift Book," but changes were made in order to have the soldier represent "The Canadian Tommy" and the nurse "A Canadian Nurse." 2002 Canadian Nursing Sisters served Overseas. Lens was shell battered until it became a heap of ruins.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: August, 1917
Date: 2014-06-20
Passchendaele
This window was developed from photographs taken at the Royal Military College, and is correct in every detail. Anyone who took part in this terrible battle will never forget the ordeal through which he passed. The Canadian operations at Passchendaele extended from October 26th to November 10th, and during that time men lived, ate and slept in mud, water and slime.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: 1917
Date: 2014-06-20
Sanctuary Wood
This window, like the Somme window, is the work of the McCausland Studio and is in memory of the wives who gave their Husbands and the Mothers who gave their Sons. During the war over 110,00 families drew Separation Allowance, and 60,00 families were on the Patriotic Fund.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: 1916
Date: 2014-06-20
Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow, like Ypres, is from "Punch" and by Bernard Partridge. This window is in honour of the British Navy, and typifies the surrender of the German Fleet to the British. The British Admiralty writes under the date of August 15, 1921, "The German Fleet arrived at Rosyth on the 21st November, 1918, and was transferred to Scapa on the subsequent days. England continues to be Mistress of the Seas and the Protector of Justice."
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: November 23, 1918
Date: 2014-06-20
Somme
The subject is the work of McCausland Studios of Toronto, who furnished all the windows in the hall. It was at the Battle of the Somme, September 15th, 1916, the tanks were first used in modern warfare. At one time 30,000 women were employed in Munition Factories.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: 1916
Date: 2014-06-20
St. Elio
The subject of this window is the work of Colonel Nissen, a graduate of Queen's University, who was requested by the Mining and Metallurgical Society of London, England, to submit for their consideration a clay model from which a bronze was to be cast in memory of the members of that Society who made the supreme sacrifice. Col.Nissen originated the Nissen Hut.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: April, 1916
Date: 2014-06-20
Vimy
The subject is from an official photograph of a "Tommy" walking back after having done his bit on that memorable 9th day of April, when the "Byng Boys" again made history for the British Empire, and demonstrated to the Germans that "Der Tag" was growing rapidly near. The window is so true to the photo that some day someone will recognize the soldier.
Post By: Mike Weber
Post Date: 2014-06-20
Shot By:
Shot Location: April, 1917

Content - EXP - Culture - History - City Hall lower

The 12 stained glass windows of Memorial Hall pay tribute to Canadians who fought in First World War battles. The windows were dedicated in honour of Kingston's Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Nursing Sisters who served overseas in the Great War - 1914-1918. Click on the images above for a larger view.

Fast Facts

Here are a few quick facts about Kingston's City Hall National Historic site.

June 15, 1842, the town of Kingston publicized a competition for architects and builders for the design for a Town Hall and Market. The probable cost of construction was set at 10,000 pounds.
The design of the government architect George Browne (31 years old) was selected from the 12 submissions received from the contest. George Browne also designed the Mowat Building, the Victoria and Grey Trust Building, the S&R Department Store, the Presbyterian Manse and Rockwood Villa
The building was completed in December 1844, at a final cost slightly in excess of 25,000 pounds. The increased cost was due to additions and changes from the competition submission.
The original design of City Hall had a hemispherical dome with no clock faces or belfry. The belfry and clock were housed in a large square end block that originally extended the market wing all the way to King Street. The market wing end block was destroyed in a fire on Jan. 10, 1865. The original clock that had been given jointly by John Counter and John A. Macdonald was moved to the main dome.
The Governor General Sir Charles Metcalf laid the City Hall corner stone June 5, 1843.
Past tenants of City Hall include the Market Vendors, the Board of Trade, the Post Office, the Customs House, the Bank of British North America, the Mechanics Institute, the Orange Lodge, the Masons, the Merchants Exchange, A&D Shaw Dry Goods, various church groups, a saloon and some residential tenants.
After his death in 1891, the body of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister and one-time Kingston alderman, lay in state in what is now Memorial Hall, an impressive chamber dedicated in 1921 to honour the city's war dead.
In 1908 the cupola on top of the dome and part of the dome burned, the cupola was rebuilt in May 1909 and the new Seth Thomas clock and a new bell was installed. The 1908 clock and bell are the current clock and bell that are present in the dome today.
In 2002 a new copper roof and clock tower reconstruction commenced along with phase-one of the masonry restoration. All four clocks were removed so that the stained glass faces could be repaired.

City Hall Cultural Management Plan

Kingston City Hall National Historic Site has served as an administrative centre and the municipal seat of governance since it was built. Since that time, it has also become a repository for many parts of the City's Civic Collection of historical artefacts and works of art that are now under the care of Kingston's City Curator. The Cultural Management Plan recognizes the significance of these heritage resources and sets out a plan to care and interpret them while respecting the demands and challenges of a working municipal building.

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Our City's Heart and Heritage