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turn back time aboard kingston's s.s. keewatin
edwardian-era ship one of many throwbacks in this historical city
aug 3 2024
4 minute read
docked outside the great lakes museum in kingston, ont. is the s.s. keewatin, an edwardian era sea ship, which visitors can explore through guided tours.
eddie chau
/
toronto sun
stepping aboard the s.s. keewatin will give you the vibe of being a passenger on the titanic.
however, there’s no jack and rose and their floating door, no heart of the ocean necklace, and the ship won’t meet a tragic end thanks to an iceberg.
while the s.s. keewatin isn’t the same size as the titanic, this ship is also from the edwardian era and is one of the world’s last remaining vessels from that time. when you’re hankering for a weekend trip, venture to the city of kingston, ont., and explore the s.s. keewatin as it’s docked there beside the great lakes museum.
built in 1907 in glasgow, scotland by fairfield shipbuilding and engineering co ltd., steamships like the s.s. keewatin frequently ferried cargo, tourists and settlers alike in the great lakes through much of the early to mid-1900s until its retirement in the 1960s.
the vessel underwent an extensive restoration before it became a fixture at the great lakes museum in october 2023 and opened for public tours in may of this year. visitors can take part in one of two guided tours: the passenger experience, where you can explore the decks and cabins of the ship; and the engine room experience, an extended tour that includes seeing the steam-powered engines that power it.
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the more than an hour tours are a step back in time, allowing groups of visitors to see what life and culture was like in the early to mid-1900s. artifacts such as clothing, utensils and furniture are showcased in cabins and throughout the ship. it’s a sight to behold.
anyone partaking in s.s. keewatin tours should wear comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of stop-and-go foot traffic as you explore every nook and cranny of this vessel.
bellevue house in kingston, ont. was the home of canada’s first prime minister, sir john a. macdonald. (eddie chau/toronto sun)
tale of two canadas told at bellevue house
there are multiple voices that tell the tale of the complex history of this country.
this includes perspectives from indigenous peoples, women, and racialized canadians such as black and chinese communities, who all sought an equal voice as canada developed. these voices are heard along with that of canada’s first prime minister, sir. john a. macdonald, at bellevue house , which recently reopened after a six-year restoration period.
the victorian-era structure — which once served as macdonald’s home and is now a national historic site — features new exhibits and programming that take visitors back to life in kingston in the 1840s.
the tour begins in the visitor’s centre and continues into the homestead, where there’s not only a focus on the life of macdonald, his family and status in victorian society, and later his political career, but also simultaneously shares the story of other voices in the country, beginning with indigenous people, women and racialized citizens.
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the addition of interactive multimedia exhibits allows visitors to hear the voices of others and their viewpoints that make up canada’s history. the educational and informative experiences will give you something to think about when you leave bellevue house.
kingston trolley tours gives visitors a snapshot of kingston’s attractions on an hour-long trek. visitors can also hop off-and-on at any time during the route to explore further. (eddie chau/toronto sun)
touring the town
sometimes it’s hard to soak in all the sights of a destination — especially if you’re only staying for the weekend.
luckily, the city of kingston has several options for visitors to soak in its culture within a reasonable amount of time.
with kingston trolley tours, visitors can learn see and learn about close to two dozen attractions throughout the city while riding a trolley on an hour-long tour. if you want to take in a specific spot along the tour route, simply hop off the trolley and explore, then hop back on another vehicle as it passes by.
for an added challenge, visitors are given a passport booklet with which they can collect stamps at each of the sites, thus making the tour an all-day affair. among the stops on the tour are fort henry, pumphouse marine museum, bellevue house, penitentiary museum, queen’s university, and city hall.
if you’re more interested in touring at your own pace, visit kingston also offers self-guided film, literary, and music-themed tours, each with a unique story about the city. so connect your smartphone to some earphones and explore kingston’s attractions at your own pace over several hours.
the secret garden inn, a unique bed and breakfast located in kingston, ont. (eddie chau/toronto sun)
enter the secret garden inn
there’s nothing more charming than staying overnight at a bed and breakfast. better yet, one with some history behind it.
located in sydenham ward and situated over three acres, the secret garden inn is a victorian-style home originally built in 1888 by leather merchant and furrier john mckay.
then known as argyle place, the abode was home to four generations of the mckay family. the home retains the architectural style of the time (up to 1940s) when the family inhabited it.
the home was turned into a bed and breakfast in 1996. the guest rooms maintain much of the elegant charm of yesteryear while also embracing modern amenities. it’s the perfect place to stay while enjoying a weekend in kingston.
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