Heritage Resource Centre
Heritage Resource Centre
Conserving Kingston's past for Kingston's future
The Heritage Resource Centre (HRC) will be open to the public for drop-in service at the times noted below. Heritage Planning staff will be on site to answer questions relating to heritage properties including permits, grants, and historic research. Additional times are available by appointment.
- Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.
- Thursday: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.
Located in the Market Wing of City Hall, the HRC is an advisory centre and community hub for built heritage conservation, intangible heritage, and an interpretative gallery space presenting Kingston's history and stories.
Presented by Heritage Services, the HRC is intended to foster an appreciation of community through innovative approaches to cultural heritage stewardship. The HRC provides an educational space for cultural integration while serving a variety of users that include heritage property owners, specifically those who own designated heritage buildings, local residents including students, heritage consultants, historical researchers, and visitors to the area.
A community hub for education and integration of Kingston's cultural heritage
Located in the heart of downtown Kingston, the HRC is open to the public throughout the year (with the exception of holiday/winter hours). It is intended to be a welcoming environment for education and celebration, to meet, discuss and learn about cultural heritage matters in all its forms.
Visit the HRC in order to:
- Experience and learn more about Kingston's history – its heritage assets, historic spaces and, its role in shaping Canada
- Search through a variety of resources including a collection of books, pamphlets and maps related to cultural heritage - built, associative narrative and natural.
- Seek informative materials pertaining to conservation, restoration and rehabilitation.
- Acquire information about heritage permit and heritage grant applications and other regulatory tools and gain support through HRC staff. Alternatively, a staff member can be reached at 613-546-4291 ext. 1389 and is available to discuss Ontario Heritage Act requirements and compliance with city policies.
Resource search
The Heritage Resource Centre has a collection of resources that are available to the public during regular business hours. The collection includes a wide range of material related to heritage conservation practices, cultural heritage, and Kingston's history, among others. View our inventory of more than 750 titles including books, articles, City reports and policies, newsletters and maps.
Heritage Hour
Discover Kingston’s rich history with Heritage Hour! The bimonthly sessions feature speakers from across the community who speak about Kingston’s past and living heritage.
In conversation with: Rowena McGowan
Thursday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m., at Memorial Hall in Kingston City Hall
Rockwood psychiatric facility has become an important part of Kingston’s story and heritage. It was the second psychiatric facility built in Ontario and operated for many years, during which time it housed and cared for patients who experienced mental illness. Join us to discover the early days of Rockwood and mental health care treatment in Canada during the 19th century with Rowena McGowan, curator at the Museum of Health Care.
Heritage Hour talks will be hosted in Memorial Hall, located on the second floor of City Hall, from 12 - 1 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Registration is not required, and all are welcome to attend.
Be the first to know about our next Heritage Hour session in December. Subscribe to our monthly Civic Museums newsletter. Watch previous Heritage Hour talks on the City's YouTube channel.
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. A prominent landmark on the Kingston waterfront since 1844, City Hall is the symbolic centre of the community's civic government and administration.
Find out more about visiting City Hall, the types of tours available, and becoming a volunteer tour guide.
Helpful links
The links below take you to various local, provincial, national and international heritage conservation resources. Collections and information on architectural features, building material samples, maps, photos, books and other related artifacts are also available.
Global standards & guidelines
Federal standards & guidelines
- Canadian register of Historic Places
- Canada's historic places
- Standards and guidelines for the conservation of historic places in Canada
Provincial standards & guidelines
City links
- Municipal register
- Heritage conservation districts
- Barriefield
- Market Square
- Sydenham
- Walking tours
- Livable City Design Awards
- Get Involved Kingston
City Documents
Heritage information documents
- Archaeology – frequently asked questions – Ontario Heritage Trust
- Handout from Ministry regarding heritage properties and insurance
- Researching historic properties
Cultural Heritage Information Links
- ACO
- Canadian Geographic Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
- Community Heritage Ontario
- Digital Kingston
- Frontenac Heritage Foundation
- Heritage Canada Foundation
- Heritage Resource Centre – University of Waterloo
- Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites
- Kingston Historical Society
- Ontario Architecture
- Stones Project – social history tours of Kingston
- Vintage Kingston
