Kingston’s S.S. Keewatin: A historic steamship experience you can’t miss!

Laurie Weir

Sail Into the Past: Explore the Last Edwardian-Era Steamship in Kingston

The S.S. Keewatin, a grand dame of the Edwardian era and the last of her kind in the world, is ready to welcome visitors aboard for a new season at the Great Lakes Museum in Kingston. This floating masterpiece offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era of Great Lakes passenger travel, a time when steamships like the Keewatin connected communities and fueled Canada’s growth.

Built in 1907 in Glasgow, Scotland, the Keewatin, which is the same classification of ship as the Titanic, though significantly smaller, and built four years earlier, served as a first-class passenger liner for the Canadian Pacific Railway, ferrying travellers between ports on the Great Lakes. From Port McNicoll to Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), the Keewatin provided a vital link in the transportation network, allowing passengers to travel in style and comfort before continuing their journey west by rail.

“She is the last Edwardian-era passenger steamship liner in the entire world,” says Dan Rose, collections and programming assistant at the Great Lakes Museum. “Think about the Titanic era of steamships and ocean liners. While the Keewatin was specifically a Great Lakes liner, she is the last of that kind, that class, around the entire globe.”

After a long career spanning nearly six decades, the Keewatin was retired in 1965. Now, after a journey to Kingston in October 2023, the grand old dame has found a new home at the Great Lakes Museum, where it will be re-opened for public tours starting May 11, 2025.

Last year the Keewatin welcomed 20,000 visitors, and this year promises to be even bigger and better, with three tour options available, the Essentials Experience, Passenger Premium Experience and the Engine Room Experience for those wanting to immerse themselves fully in the ship’s history. The ship is only accessible by guided tours.

Visitors can explore the ship’s meticulously preserved interior, complete with original furnishings, brass fittings, and stunning Murano glass windows from Italy. “It’s an immersion in history,” says Dan. “It’s like you’ve stepped onto the ship, and it hasn’t changed.”

One of the tour guides was a former waiter aboard the Keewatin in the mid-1960s. Doug Cunningham, “80 this year but going on 40,” was a teenager when he started working on the ship. He had to memorize the menu and carry heavy trays in his left hand to manoeuvre through the doors. He has lots of stories from those days that he enjoys telling visitors.

For instance, ask him how many portholes there are in the ship and he’ll tell you that there are 100, “because I buffed them all until I was buffed.”

When asked what it was like to return to the ship after 60 years, he says, "I had lived just 20 miles away for years and never went back until October 2023. But something pulled me there. It’s like that ship is my soulmate—I just can’t stay away."

The best part about the adventure now is sharing the history of the Keewatin as entertainment with music comparisons and what the world was like 60 to 100 years ago.

S.S. Keewatin Tours

The S.S. Keewatin visitor season begins in May, and tickets on sale start in March. Visitors are encouraged to book their tours in advance (two weeks is recommended) online to secure a spot. 

Tours range from a 45-minute essentials experience to the full hour-and-15-minute passenger premium experience, which grants access to staterooms, the galley, and other behind-the-scenes areas. For those with a passion for engineering, the 30-minute engine room tour offers a chance to marvel at the gleaming brass and steel engines that powered the Keewatin across the Great Lakes. Doug gives tours on Monday and Tuesday. 

The Keewatin’s story is intertwined with Canada’s history. As Rose explains, the ship played a crucial role in connecting the East and West, facilitating travel and trade in the early 20th century. The ship’s name, derived from a Plains Cree word meaning “northern wind” or “blizzard from the north,” reflects its connection to the region and its history.

Claire Notman, visitor experience manager, adds that Keewatin’s arrival has invigorated Kingston’s heritage community, drawing attention to the city’s rich history and attracting visitors from around the globe.

“We’ve had folks coming from as varied places like China and Europe,” Dan says. “We even had specific steamship historian passionate people come from all around the world, specifically to see the ship and to visit Kingston.”

The Keewatin is more than just a museum piece; it’s a living testament to a pivotal era in Canadian history. Volunteers and guides, some of whom worked on the ship during its active years, share their stories and insights, bringing the Keewatin’s past to life.

While the Keewatin itself is not currently wheelchair accessible due to its original design, the museum is developing a 3D virtual tour to ensure everyone can experience the ship's grandeur.

The Keewatin is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in history, engineering, or simply experiencing a piece of the past. Book your tickets now and step aboard the Keewatin for an unforgettable journey through time.

The Great Lakes Museum, a National Historic Site in its own right, also features exhibits on Great Lakes history, including artifacts from shipwrecks and a display on Kingston artist and Second World War naval reservist Grant McDonald. This summer, the museum is collaborating with the Thousand Islands Cruise Line to offer shipwreck tours of Kingston Harbour, providing another way for visitors to connect with the region’s maritime past.

More information:

Other heritage Attractions within walking distance:

·     Museum of Health Care: The Museum of Health Care is Canada’s national resource for health care history. Through exhibitions, guided tours, education programs, an online collection catalogue, and a curated blog, the Museum provides wide-ranging audience access to Canada’s rich healthcare past.

·     Murney Tower Museum: The Murney Tower Museum is a local history museum operated by the Kingston Historical Society in partnership with Parks Canada since 1925. It is located in one of the four Martello Towers of Kingston, Ontario and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rideau Canal and Kingston Fortifications. It is the oldest operating museum in Kingston, which has a collection of domestic and military artifacts that portray 19th-century life in Kingston. It also offers guided tours, audio tours, educational programs, special events, and exhibits.

·     Kingston Waterfront: Just steps from the inn, the waterfront is perfect for morning jogs, sunset strolls, or simply chilling by the lake. Hop on a boat tour to check out the stunning 1000 Islands.

·     Bellevue House: Step into the past at Bellevue House, the former home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. It’s history with a personal twist.

Visit the Keewatin and the Great Lakes Museum and discover the rich maritime history of South Eastern Ontario!

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