Great Lakes Museum

09/06/2026

UPDATED HOURS!

Starting September 7, the Great Lakes Museum will be open 7 days a week, 9:30 AM–6:00 PM. ⚓️

Planning to visit the S.S. Keewatin?
Please note that all S.S. Keewatin tours are guided only and depart at set times, so be sure to plan ahead!

Ready to explore? Visit our website to learn more and book your S.S. Keewatin experience.

See you on the waterfront! 🌊

09/04/2026

What to Expect: Party on the Pier — Kids Activities! 🚢⁠
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Party on the Pier isn’t just for the grown-ups! We’ve got plenty of fun planned for our youngest guests, with activities to keep little sailors entertained all afternoon. 🌊⁠
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🚢 Recycling Regatta⁠
Get creative and build your very own ship using recycled materials, then see if your creation is seaworthy! ⁠
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🎨 Face Painting⁠
Transform into a pirate, mermaid, sailor, or whatever your imagination dreams up, thanks to Not So Amateur Amateurs!⁠
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🎉 And more!⁠
We’ve got even more family-friendly activities in store.⁠
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A huge thank you to our Kids Activities Sponsor, Brookland Homes, for helping us make this family fun possible! 💙⁠
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Bring the whole crew, get creative, and get ready to Party on the Pier! ⚓️

09/04/2026

Get ready.... September 9th is almost here.

The S.S. Keewatin is featured on Season 5 Episode 2 of Ghost Hunters of the Grand River.

Step aboard this historic ship for a spine-tingling investigation filled with mysteries and stories from the Keewatin’s past. 👻

We can’t wait for you to see the ship in a whole new light! 🔦

For more information on how and when to watch, click the link here. https://www.aptntv.ca/ghosthunter.../episode-guide/season-5/ S

09/03/2026

We’re in the running! 🏆⁠
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The Great Lakes Museum is running in the 2026 CommunityVotes Kingston awards! ⚓️⁠
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We’re so proud to be part of this community and to share Kingston’s waterfront, maritime history, and the stories of the Great Lakes with you.⁠
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If you’ve enjoyed visiting the Museum, exploring the S.S. Keewatin, attending one of our events, or simply love what we do, we’d be so grateful for your support! ⁠
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Thank you for helping us celebrate and preserve Kingston’s maritime heritage! ⁠
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Vote with our link in bio or with the attached link in the comments.

09/01/2026

What to Expect: Party on the Pier Vendors 🍴

We’re bringing five delicious food vendors to the waterfront for an afternoon of great food, live music, and good times at Party on the Pier! 🎉

🍪 Cookies by Claire
🍕 Gino’s Pizza
🍦 The Ice Cream Bar
🍖 The Legion
💚 The Matcha Club

From sweet treats and refreshing drinks to savoury favourites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy while you take in the music and soak up the waterfront atmosphere!

And this is just the beginning… More announcements are coming soon!

Stay tuned for more details and get ready to Party on the Pier! 🎉

08/31/2026

Volunteer of the Month!⁠
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We are thrilled to announce Tracy Wondrasek as our Volunteer of the Month!⁠
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As the only female member of the engine room crew, Tracy reigns as our resident "Steam Queen," bringing a unique dedication to the S.S. Keewatin.

Whether she is meticulously polishing engine parts or quietly maintaining the historic space, she takes complete ownership of the SS Keewatin's original steamship engine room.

Tracy’s passion is contagious. To ensure new volunteers feel fully immersed and supported, she personally provides them with colour-printed project guides. Beyond her hard work, Tracy acts as a quiet guardian for the team, looking out for her fellow volunteers and protecting their work behind the scenes. Tracy is an integral part of our crew, and we are incredibly grateful for her dedication!
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Thank you, Tracy, for your outstanding hard work, and for giving the Keewatin the love she deserves. We’re so grateful to have you on the team!

08/31/2026

Check it out!

A big thank you to Brock Wunder for featuring Kingston and the Thousand Islands in his latest WAYWARD episode — and for chatting with our very own Claire Notman, Visitor Experience Manager, about one of Kingston’s must-visit attractions: the Great Lakes Museum.

Claire shares what makes the museum such a special part of Kingston’s waterfront story, including its incredible collection and the SS Keewatin.

Watch Brock’s “I Investigated Canada’s Forgotten Capital. It Should Be Famous” and hear Claire talk about why the Great Lakes Museum deserves a spot on your Kingston itinerary!

Kingston, Ontario was the first capital of Canada, and it lasted th...

08/27/2026

What to Expect: Party on the Pier Live Music

We’re bringing the sounds of Spencer Evans and Nolan Hubbard to the waterfront for an afternoon of live music, great vibes, and good times at Party on the Pier!

🎤 Spencer Evans
🎶 Nolan Hubbard

Two great local acts will take the stage, bringing their own unique sounds and styles to the party. Whether you’re kicking back with friends or singing along to your favourite tunes, you’re in for a great day!

And this is just the beginning… More announcements are coming soon!

Stay tuned for more details and get ready to Party on the Pier! ⚓️🎶

08/25/2026

🏆 Vote the Great Lakes Museum as Attractions Ontario's Top Small Museum in the 2026 Ontario Choice Awards!

Reason #3 to vote for us: Our sensational staff! ⭐

Behind every memorable visit is a team of passionate and dedicated staff who work hard to create exceptional experiences for every guest.

Their passion for sharing Canada's maritime heritage is what makes every visit special, and we're incredibly grateful for everything they do.

🗳️ Voting is open until September 7, and you can vote once per day. Cast your vote using the link in bio or the URL in the comments.

If you love the Great Lakes Museum and the S.S. Keewatin, we'd be honoured to have your support!