Kingston is Canada's museum capital with something for everyone at its 24 museums and historic sites and 3 art galleries. These include two City-owned museums, the Pump House Steam Museum and the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum, and national historic site, Kingston City Hall.

PumpHouse

We are open Tuesday to Saturday for museum tours and private children’s education programs. You can book your tour online or call 613-544-7867.

The PumpHouse is located in one of Canada's oldest original water works – where steam-powered pumps provided the first running water to Kingston residents from 1850. Only six similar preserved water pumping plants remain in North America.

The museum's most incredible artifact is the museum itself – where the original pumps are animated and visitors can discover exactly how they worked. Guided or self-guided tours show how steam power was an essential element of the industrial development of Canada and pumped water played a key role in Kingston's history.

Experience our new exhibit, "On The Move: 400 Years of Transportation in Kingston" until November 26. Perfect for families and history buffs alike, On the Move traces the development of transportation in Kingston over the last four centuries with historical objects, interactive displays, and informational panels, visitors will experience how we move across water and land, the development of public transportation, and how Kingston continues to be connected to areas beyond the city’s borders.

The PumpHouse is conveniently located at 23 Ontario St. 

MacLachlan Woodworking Museum

The museum is closed for drop-in exhibit viewing but open for workshops and programming.

The MacLachlan Woodworking Museum holds the most extensive, nationally significant collection of woodworking tools in Canada. Although you currently can't drop in for exhibition viewing, check out some of our great woodworking workshops! The Museum is located 16km East of Kingston at the entrance of scenic Grass Creek Park. 

City Hall Tours

Take a free guided tour of magnificent Kingston City Hall, built in 1841-43 when Kingston was the first capital of Canada.

Interested residents can also explore City Hall virtually.

Kingston Association of Museums, Galleries & Historic Sites

The Kingston Association of Museums, Galleries, and Historic Sites is a not-for-profit, collaborative group of member institutions from the Kingston region. Visit their website for a complete listing of sites, hours, locations and collection highlights.