Great Lakes Museum

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!

08/24/2026

Meet Evan, a museum assistant at the Great Lakes Museum! ⚓️

Evan is a Grade 10 student at Bayridge Secondary School and is joining us for his very first job. We’re excited to give him the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience while discovering what it’s like to work in a museum and historic site.

From learning about the S.S. Keewatin and Great Lakes history to welcoming visitors and helping with day-to-day activities, Evan is already becoming a great addition to our team!

We can’t wait to see all that Evan learns and accomplishes during his time with us! ⚓️

08/21/2026

Wow! Look at these amazing photos from the CORK Sail Kingston event we hosted last night.

08/21/2026

Exciting news! 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/ghosthuntersofthegrandriver/episode-guide/season-5/

08/19/2026

Special Offers at the Great Lakes Museum!⚓️

Looking for a great way to explore the history of the Great Lakes? We’ve got two special offers available!

$5 OFF Midday Deal💲

-Save $5 on our 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Premium Experiences aboard the SS Keewatin!
-Monday–Friday only
-Valid until August 31
-Book in person or over the phone — this offer cannot be booked online.

Kingston Resident Discount — 15% OFF💸

-Kingston residents can save 15% on:
-SS Keewatin experiences
-Museum admission
-Gift shop purchases

Valid ID and proof of Kingston residency must be presented. This discount is available in person only.

Come visit us, step aboard the SS Keewatin, and make the most of these special offers before they’re gone!

08/18/2026

We’re thrilled to give a well-deserved shoutout to John Plant!

John, a former board member and longtime supporter of our organization, was recently honoured with our Lifetime Membership Award in recognition of his years of dedication, service, and commitment to the Great Lakes Museum.

We’re also excited to see John featured in the latest issue of Kingston East Neighbours, with an article highlighting his life, career, and many of the experiences that have shaped his journey.

Thank you, John, for all you’ve done and continue to do. Your contributions have made a lasting difference, and we’re incredibly grateful to have you as part of the Great Lakes Museum community.

Congratulations, John, on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉🏆

08/15/2026

Restoration work continues on the S.S. Keewatin. One step at a time!