Pump House Steam Museum

Tourism Region: Thousand Islands

The Pump House Steam Museum is owned and operated by the City of Kingston in what was once the City's main Pump House. Built c. 1849, the building is now used for the preservation, presentation and demonstration of artifacts from the Industrial Steam era. Within the focus room of the museum, you will find two original working steam-driven water pumps which supplied Kingston with water until 1944. Elsewhere in the museum you will find other steam engines, a children's hands-on Science Discovery Center, and model railroads, their equipment and railroad history (including the train set from the show The Friendly Giant . Outside of the museum you can get up close to a variety of steam engines and also see the restored steam launch Phoebe.

About the Collections

The PHSM collections contain operating steam and pump engines and artifacts associated with steam power and technology, photographs of steam locomotives manufactured in Kingston, working model railroad exhibits, and the antique steam launch Phoebe.

Approximate number of objects in the collections: 150

Archives

Our archives consist of a small collection of engineering documents related to Pump House & it's history, material on the Phoebe Steam Launch and the steam railroad.

Photographs • Textual Records

Human History

History of water supply to Kingston for drinking, prevention of cholera ( a Celtic Cross is placed at the Pump House to commemorate the many Irish immigrants who landed there but who died of Cholera), firefighting, and sanitation.

Industrial Technology and History • Local History • Transportation : Railway

Services & Activities

Educational Tours
Model Railway demonstrations including a large "O" gauge railway
Discovery Centre primarily for children grade 1-6, but great fun for all age groups.

Research Services

The PHSM holds some archival material on the following subjects: steam, railroads and model railroads.

Educational Programs

Hands-on exhibits based on Ontario grades 1-6 Science curriculum in the Gordon C. Leitch Discovery Center.

Simple Machines - Discover the many ways in which simple machines make work easier! Explore the fascinating world of the inclined plane, screw, wedge, lever, pulleys, and wheel and axle. Through a variety of demonstrations and hands-on learning, students will understand the differences between the machines and define their basic function. Students will also create their own machine to take home. (Grade 2)

Pulleys and Gears - Experience the exciting world of simple and complex machines! Through interactive experiments, students will learn about machines and how they work. Students will learn technical terms such as “gear train” and will be encouraged to answer questions concerning a number of different aspects about the functions of a pulley. While exploring the museum and its collection, students will learn how pulleys and gears operate in everyday objects. (Grade 4)

What's the Matter with Water? - The properties of matter are explained through the medium of water. Interactive examples are used to show the physical and chemical changes that occur in water when placed in different circumstances. There will also be models that explain how water differentiates from other liquids, including how heat and cold affects different liquids. Students will focus on how the properties of different materials relate to their use in the everyday world. (Grade 5)

Under Pressure- Air and Water Forces of Movement - Explore how different forces play significant roles in the function of the everyday world. Through this program students engage in hands-on demonstrations that show how air and water pressure can be used to move objects and power machines. Looking at the operation of both life-sized and model engines in the Museum, students will observe the action and uses of these forces in real life. (Grade 3)

Yesterday's Knowledge for Today's Technology - Learn about the importance of steam power in the Victorian era! Discover the original steam driven water pumps at Kingston’s first water pumping station. Students will explore the properties of fluids used in yester year’s technology. Through scientific method, the students will experiment with the properties of different fluids and their utilization in today’s technology. (Grade 8)

Discovery Room or Centre • School Programs : Age 5-11 (k-6) : Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP)
Other: The Museum offers a variety of drop-in programming throughout the summer months for children and families to enjoy, such as Tales from the Rails and Let's Talk Science.

Visitor Services

Picnic area by the lake, guided tours by appointment in English and French.

Guided Tours : English • Accessible by Public Transportation • Parking Facilities : Charged : Bus • Washrooms • Children's Activities or Services : Playground

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Training Offered

Member Privileges

All Pump House Steam Museum Members receive:
· Free general admission to the Museum.
· Complimentary admission to the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum the Municipality’s other owned and operated museum.
· Invitations to members-only exhibition previews and other special events.
· Free subscription to the Governor (Pump House Steam Museum) and Imprints (MacLachlan Woodworking Museum), newsletters.
· 10% discount on all purchases in the Gift Shop at the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum
· Free admission to events, demonstrations and more.

Food Services

Picnic Area

Internet Services

General Information • Events • School Visits or Programs • Children • Directions or Map

Publications and Products

Pump house pamphlets & histories, Phoebe antique steam launch info., video documentary of PHSM, Phoebe poster.

Brochures • Videos

Featured Images

Map

Visit the Website

Location

Address:	23 Ontario Street Kingston, Ontario K7L 2Y2 See Map
Telephone:	613-546-4291 X1666
Fax:	613-542-4633
Mailing Address:	Pump House Steam Museum Cultural Services, 216 Ontario St., Kingston, Ontario K7L 2Z3
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