Item 1 - Pump House Steam Museum

The Pump House Steam Museum is located at 11 Ontario Street. "This unique civic museum was restored in 1971 and is the only such museum in the world featuring all engines operating by steam. The original building was a pump house erected in 1848 to supply water to City Hall, Market Square and to hydrants throughout the city. In 1887 the city bought the Waterworks Company and in 1890 enlarged the plant by constructing the present building. The pump house supplied water to the city until 1944 when the new Water Purification Plant took over. For almost twenty-seven years the plant was abandoned and gradually fell prey to vandalism. To celebrate Kingston's 300th birthday in 1973, the Frontenac Society of Model Engineering, with the cooperation of the Mayor and City Council, restored and rebuilt all steam engines to their original state." (Copied from page 64 of 'Kingston Splendid Heritage).