About the Museum
Our Mission: To bring back memories, to promote learning, and to encourage youth to be a part of a new generation
of Scouting.
Establishing the Museum
Kingston’s Scouting history dates back over 100 years! Kingston Scouts’ roles in events such as the Royal Visit in 1967; the Thousand Islands Bridge opening ceremony in 1938; and the 50-year tradition of hosting and participating in the Annual World Brotherhood Jamboree demonstrate the prominence of Scouting in Kingston’s history.
The Kingston Scout Museum was formed in 2008 to recognize and preserve this long-standing history. The Museum was taken on as a centennial project by members of the 35th BP Guild. Requests for donations by former youth and adult members received a massive response and the 35th BP Guild was able to begin to preserve Kingston’s long Scouting history. Displays were curated and the doors were opened to the visitors from a location in the former Selby Hall on MacDonnell Street.
The Virtual Museum
The Museum was forced to relocate in the summer of 2022. With generous support from the City, the Museum was able to move all of the artifacts into storage at the Harold Harvey Centre. In January of 2023, we received a grant from the City’s Heritage Fund to revitalize our online presence. This included building a new website, hiring a project curator and setting up a virtual museum. Our virtual museum conserves, researches, displays, and interprets artifacts that help tell the story of Scouting in Kingston over the last 100 years. Our outreach focuses on bringing the Museum to the public at events like Princess Street Promenade.
As one of the few remaining Scout Museums in Canada, we are using our virtual platform to promote Kingston’s rich Scouting history. With a focus on the people, camps, and stories that define it.
The Kingston Scout Museum is a registered charitable corporation with its own Board and Constitution. Scouts Canada and the Museum are two distinct organizations. We are a proud member of KAM (Kingston & Area Association of Museums, Art Galleries & Historic Sites).
Volunteering
The Kingston Scout Museum is actively searching for volunteers. Volunteers are vital to our museum operations and we’re always seeking volunteers with diverse experiences to help us share our history
Volunteering can include:
- Events: Join us at community events like Princess Street Promenade or March of the Museums as we connect with visitors about local and international Scouting history.
- Collections and Research: Help us as we organize and catalogue our large collection of Scouting artifacts.
- Museum Board: Join our board and help shape the future of the museum.
- Exhibition Development: Share your Scouting stories with us and have a hand in creating your own virtual exhibition.
- Translation: Assist the museum as we strive to have fully bilingual materials for the public.
Contact us at contact@kingstonscoutmuseum.ca for more information on these opportunities!
About our Supporters
The Board acknowledges and thanks the City of Kingston and KAM for their support and guidance.
Additional Support
Project supported by a donation in memory of
David Hutcheon
Gananoque Sea Scouts, Queen Scout Award recipient