Canada's Penitentiary Museum

On May 14, 2024, Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc visited Canada's Penitentiary Museum. We hope he enjoyed his visit! Left to right in the photo are Kingston & The Islands MP Mark Gerretsen, Museum Curator Dave St. Onge, Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc, and Friends of the Penitentiary Museum Board President Bittu George.

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Le 14 mai 2024, le ministre de la Sécurité publique Dominic LeBlanc a visité le Musée pénitentiaire du Canada. Nous espérons qu'il a apprécié sa visite ! De gauche à droite sur la photo se trouvent le député de Kingston et les Îles Mark Gerretsen, le conservateur du musée Dave St. Onge, le ministre de la Sécurité publique Dominic LeBlanc et le président du Conseil des Amis du Musée pénitentiaire Bittu George.

Canada's Penitentiary Museum is 60 years old this year - and we would not have made out without the efforts of volunteers and staff who have worked at the Museum over the years.

In 2024 Museum would like to welcome aboard our summer staff, who have all been working diligently since the start of May to keep our doors open and visitors happy. Thank you Julia, Eve, Kayla, and Lucien, for their hard work and diligence this summer!

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Le Musée pénitentiaire du Canada fête ses 60 ans cette année - et nous n'y serions pas parvenus sans les efforts des bénévoles et du personnel qui ont travaillé au Musée au fil des ans.

En 2024, le Musée souhaite accueillir à bord son personnel d'été, qui travaille tous avec diligence depuis le début du mois de mai pour garder nos portes ouvertes et les visiteurs heureux. Merci Julia, Eve, Kayla et Lucien pour leur travail acharné et leur assiduité cet été !

Congrats to the Friends of the Penitentiary Museum on their nomination and thank you to the volunteers - Nikki Smith, Bill James, and Bittu George - who attended the 2024 Kingston Business Awards!

Volunteers of the Friends of the Penitentiary Museum attended the 2024 annual Kingston Business Awards last week. The Friends were honoured to be nominated for the Non-Profit of the Year Award, and the President of our Board of Directors, Bittu George, and Board members Nikki Smith and Bill James, who worked hard on our application, were present at the ceremony. Alas, the Friends did not win the prize - that honour goes to Extend-A-Family (Kingston), whose tremendous work in the Kingston community was rightly acknowledged. It was a wonderful experience to be nominated, and thanks again Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce for acknowledging all the nominees and winners. Pictured are Nikki Smith and Bittu George.

A wonderful profile in Let's Talk, an official Correctional Service of Canada, about our curator Dave St. Onge, discussing the Museum's 60th anniversary, our history, our collection, including some new acquisitions, and our enduring popularity. A fitting tribute to Dave's hard work and leadership. Read the article here: https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/lets-talk/read/2024/05-24-dave-st-onge.html

May 20, 2024 marks the official 60th anniversary of Canada’s Penitentiary Museum.

On May 20, 1964, Superintendent Robert Cunningham [pictured, left] wrote to all Regional Directors and the Wardens of all Penitentiary Service institutions to report that a room had been set aside at the Staff College in Kingston, Ontario. This ‘exhibit room’ would be used to depict the history of Canadian penitentiaries.

Superintendent Cunningham solicited these officials to send early documents, photographs, early equipment, unique contraband and other items of historic interest. The early collection included historic documents salvaged from Kingston Penitentiary and Warden Walter Johnstone’s collection of contraband used in staff training. The collection would begin to grow, and the Museum would really take off under the direction of Murray Millar [pictured right] starting in 1966 – leading up to the Canadian Centennial.

Click this link to read the whole letter: https://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/the-museum-is-born-may-20-1964-le-musee-est-ne-le-20-mai-1964/

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Le 20 mai 2024 marque le 60e anniversaire officiel du Musée pénitentiaire du Canada.

Le 20 mai 1964, le surintendant Robert Cunningham [a gauche] a écrit à tous les directeurs régionaux et aux directeurs de tous les établissements pénitentiaires pour les informer qu'une salle avait été réservée au Staff College de Kingston, en Ontario. Cette « salle d’exposition » serait utilisée pour décrire l’histoire des pénitenciers canadiens.

Le surintendant Cunningham a demandé à ces fonctionnaires d'envoyer des documents anciens, des photographies, des équipements anciens, des objets de contrebande uniques et d'autres objets d'intérêt historique. La première collection comprenait des documents historiques récupérés du pénitencier de Kingston et la collection d’objets de contrebande du directeur Walter Johnstone utilisés dans le cadre de la formation du personnel. La collection allait commencer à s’agrandir et le Musée allait véritablement prendre son essor sous la direction de Murray Millar [a droit] à partir de 1966 – jusqu’au centenaire du Canada.

Cliquez sur ce lien pour lire la lettre entière: https://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/the-museum-is-born-may-20-1964-le-musee-est-ne-le-20-mai-1964/

Happy International Museum Day!

Tomorrow is International Museum Day! Join us as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Canada’s Penitentiary Museum!

At CSC, the museum represents our past. It’s a proud reminder of the work we have done and continue to do, changing lives and protecting Canadians.

Step into the past and learn about the important history of federal penitentiaries by visiting Canada’s Penitentiary Museum. Learn more at: https://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca

Thank you so much Correctional Service of Canada for highlighting the Museum during our 60th Anniversary and Ontario Museum Month.

May is Ontario Museum Month!

If you are looking for an interesting and unique museum experience, look no further than Canada’s Penitentiary Museum in Kingston, celebrating their 60th anniversary this year!

Housing a collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents, the museum is the perfect place to learn about the important history and operations of Canada’s federal penitentiaries.

Visit the Penitentiary Museum during our 60th year and help us celebrate this important milestone. Learn more at: https://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca

Canada's Penitentiary Museum is very happy and honoured to announce that the Friends of the Penitentiary Museum are one of the nominees for the 2024 Kingston Business Awards in the not for profit category. Thank you Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce for putting on these awards for another year! Let's celebrate the achievements of the nominees, and hopefully see you on May 16th at the Isabel Bader Center for the Performing Arts. There are still tickets available, so to purchase yours go to: https://www.kingstonchamber.ca/

Canada’s Penitentiary Museum is happy to announce our doors are open to the public! Starting May 6, you can visit the Museum between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, 7 days a week.

This season of the Museum we mark a special anniversary as well – Canada’s Penitentiary Museum turns 60!

In May 1964, the Canadian Penitentiary Service Museum officially opened at the ‘Coach House’ on the grounds of the Correctional Staff College in Kingston. The Museum started from a small but important collection of confiscated contraband and archival documents under the direction of Murray Millar, our first curator. Over the years this collection has grown in size and scope. In 1985, the Museum relocated to its current location at Cedarhedge, the former residence of Kingston Penitentiary’s warden. At that time, we were known as the Correctional Service of Canada Museum, to reflect the creation of CSC in 1979. Since 2002 we have been known as Canada’s Penitentiary Museum, to reflect our national mandate and goal to “preserve and interpret the past and contemporary experiences” of federal corrections. Every year we have had tens of thousands of visitors, and our success over the last decades would have been impossible without the hard work of our volunteers, summer staff and our curator, Dave St. Onge.

For this important anniversary, the Museum will showcase, both online and at the Museum, our long history, so stay tuned for more updates and information! We hope you visit this summer and learn why our museum has been unlocking curiosity for 60 years!

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Le Musée pénitentiaire du Canada est heureux d’annoncer que ses portes sont ouvertes au public ! À partir du 6 mai, vous pourrez visiter le Musée entre 9h00 et 16h00, 7 jours sur 7.

Cette saison du Musée, nous célébrons également un anniversaire spécial : le Musée pénitentiaire du Canada fête ses 60 ans !

En mai 1964, le Musée du Service pénitentiaire canadien a officiellement ouvert ses portes à la « Coach House », sur le terrain du Collège du personnel correctionnel de Kingston. Né d'une petite mais importante collection de documents de contrebande et d'archives confisqués sous la direction de Murray Millar, notre premier conservateur, le Musée a gagné en reconnaissance et en taille, élargissant lentement notre collection d'artefacts et de documents historiques de partout au Canada. En 1985, le Musée a déménagé à son emplacement actuel à Cedarhedge, l'ancienne résidence du directeur du pénitencier de Kingston. À cette époque, nous étions connus sous le nom de Musée du Service correctionnel du Canada, pour refléter la création du SCC en 1979. Depuis 2002 nous sommes connus sous le nom de Musée pénitentiaire du Canada, pour refléter notre mandat et notre objectif nationaux de « préserver et interpréter les expériences passées et contemporaines » des services correctionnels fédéraux. Chaque année, nous recevons des dizaines de milliers de visiteurs, et notre succès au cours des dernières décennies aurait été impossible sans le travail acharné de nos bénévoles, de notre personnel d'été et de notre conservateur, Dave St. Onge.

Pour cet anniversaire important, le Musée présentera, en ligne et au Musée, notre longue histoire, alors restez à l'écoute pour plus de mises à jour et d'informations ! Nous espérons que vous visiterez cet été et découvrirez pourquoi notre musée suscite la curiosité depuis 60 ans !

For many years, the Museum has displayed and sold copies of a reward poster for Peter Marchuck, who escaped the British Columbia Penitentiary in New Westminster on June 8th, 1920. $25 was offered for anyone who helped recapture him. Until recently however, we knew little about Marchuck or his escape. Thanks to some research in files held at Library and Archives Canada, we have a much better idea of what occurred at BC Pen in the summer of 1920.

Peter Marchuck, properly Marchuk, alias Marks, was 21 years old. He was sentenced January 16, 1920, at Rossland, near Trail on the Columbia River, to 2 years for breaking, entering and stealing. He had previously served a short jail term in Manitoba, had family and friends in Brandon, Manitoba, and prison files list him as an ‘Austrian’ – that is, a Ukrainian immigrant from recently dissolved Empire of Austria-Hungary. At British Columbia Penitentiary, he was convict #2470.

Marchuk was working, along with fourteen other convicts, on an ambitious construction project – a mile and a half long sewer conduit through the Glenbrook ravine (now a park) in New Westminster to serve the city and the penitentiary. Marchuk was part of the team digging a trench when they hit a patch of hardpan on June 8, 1920. The civilian foreman in charge, William Gillespie, used dynamite to blast it apart. The convict workers, including Marchuk and another man, Frank Hoyt, #2446, took shelter inside the sewer opening. Hoyt was serving two years for forgery and false pretences, sentenced in December 1919. The worksite is shown bottom left.

For over half an hour, none of the penitentiary officers on site noticed that Hoyt and Marchuk had disappeared. Marchuk and Hoyt had used a crowbar to pry the bars open on a security grate in the sewer tunnel (drawn middle left) and escaped. They followed the sewer northwest almost 600 feet, emerging near Sixth Avenue, and out of sight of the penitentiary’s outposts. Despite six RCMP officers and a dozen penitentiary staff going out in pursuit, with several bloodhounds in tow, Marchuk and Hoyt disappeared into the woods north of New Westminster.

The two escapees followed the Canadian Pacific line east along the Frasier River, aided by heavy rains. They broke into a shack and stole civilian work clothes. So disguised, they crossed the bridge over the Pitt River, near Pitt Meadows, and were even greeted with a hello by unsuspecting Industrial Guard A. J. Christmas guarding the eastern end. The officers quickly realized their mistake and gave chase. Hoyt was recaptured but Marchuk managed to escape again into the woods. Hoyt returned to B.C. Penitentiary on June 10, 1920. He was soaked to the bone and happy to be “home.”

Marchuk disappeared into the hills north of the Alouette River. He successfully evaded search parties of penitentiary officers and RCMP for weeks, despite not knowing the area. The RCMP officer in charge felt the local farmers were feeding and protecting Marchuk, as they “disliked the police more then they liked an escaped convict.” The heavy woods and rugged terrain were ideal for hiding, and rain disguised his tracks.

The escape poster in our collection was sent out by late June to all police chiefs and immigration officers in the area, and the smaller slip, top, was provided to the RCMP, private detectives, and U.S. police officials. By August 1, 1920 the RCMP and Warden John C. Brown concluded that, against all odds, Marchuk had left British Columbia completely, and was either in the United States or in Manitoba. Warden Brown felt that the $25 reward was too small, and the Minister of Justice increased it to $50.

The files at Library and Archives Canada, which end in 1922, do not indicate that Marchuk was recaptured or what had happened to him, and neither do the newspapers. Another mystery to solve!

The background picture is 1919, showing, left to right, Deputy Warden J. C. Carroll, Warden Brown, and Chief Keeper W. A. Patchell.

Museum researchers are proud to have worked on this article about the important role women have played in Corrections since the earliest days.

Did you know? Canada’s Penitentiary Museum celebrates its 60th season this year. We have some exciting things to show you about their 60th in the coming weeks!

For now, travel back in time with us to learn more about the important role women have played in corrections since the first penitentiary opened in Kingston in 1835. Today, we’re proud that 52% of CSC employees are women.

Read more in our latest story, “13 things you might not know about women working in corrections” here: www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/lets-talk/read/2024/03-15-13-things-women-corrections.html

Canada's Penitentiary Museum is pleased to announce we will be re-opening for our summer season on Monday, May 6. Our hours will be 9am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday. We're excited to see you, and we're looking forward to a great summer 2024!

The photo shows the old summer cottage once part of our complex and used by Warden Lavell's family, c. 1890.

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Le Musée pénitentiaire du Canada est heureux d'annoncer sa réouverture pour sa saison estivale le lundi 6 mai. Nos heures d'ouverture seront de 9 h à 16 h, du lundi au dimanche. Nous avons hâte de vous voir et nous nous réjouissons de passer un bel été 2024 !

La photo montre l'ancien chalet d'été qui faisait autrefois partie de notre complexe et était utilisé par la famille du directeur Lavell, vers 1890.

Happy to lend one of our artifacts to the Royal Kingston Curling Club!

Our community partner Canada's Penitentiary Museum took their responsibility seriously by throwing our senior curling provincial organizing committee in jail! Bail anyone? The Maloney + Elliott Group Senior Men's and Women's Provincial Championships runs through Sunday, March 17. Come out and cheer on some of Ontario's finest curlers!

Museum researchers were happy to help with this article in Let's Talk Express, published by the Correctional Service of Canada, about the 19th and early 20th century history of women incarcerated at penitentiaries like Kingston Penitentiary.

Crime, punishment, and prison for women - Canada.ca Susan Turner (21), Hannah Downes (17), and Hannah Baglen (25) were each convicted of theft. They arrived at the new penitentiary in Kingston on September 3, 1835, becoming the first women incarcerated in Canada.

Recently, Canada's Penitentiary Museum acquired an exceptional and rare item for our collection. We believe this to be the actual cap crest worn by Deputy Warden D.D. Bourke of Manitoba Penitentiary, Stony Mountain in the 1890s and later at the British Columbia Penitentiary in New Westminster. It is very likely that the Warden also had a version of this, but this crest has an idiosyncrasy: the vertical arms of the cross are not perfectly aligned. This also appears to be the case in our available photos of Deputy Bourke. We continue to research when this distinctive crest was first introduced.

More about David Dominick Bourke. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland in 1845. His family immigrated to Canada when he was 15 in 1860 and settled in New Brunswick. He was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier College in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. For twenty years he was a public school teacher in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. He joined the Dominion Penitentiary Service on July 23, 1886 as Hospital Overseer and Schoolmaster at Manitoba Penitentiary, Stony Mountain. On Oct. 13, 1892, he was promoted to “Deputy Warden and Chief Keeper” simultaneously.

On April 1, 1896 he was transferred to British Columbia Penitentiary as Deputy Warden. Bourke served there for 12 years. Bourke was acting warden during the summer of 1907 when the infamous train robber Bill Miner escaped. His superiors laid the blame for the escape on Bourke, and he was superannuated shortly afterwards.

Mr. Bourke stood 6’ 4” and was a prominent figure in New Westminster, B.C. He also became a well known poet in his later years. At one time, he was encouraged to run for Mayor but declined. He spent many years trying to clear his name in connection with the Miner escape and passed away in B.C. in 1921. Mr. Bourke was survived by his wife, 5 daughters and 3 sons.

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Récemment, le Musée pénitentiaire du Canada a acquis un objet exceptionnel et rare pour notre collection. Nous pensons qu'il s'agit du véritable écusson porté par le sous-directeur D.D. Bourke du pénitencier du Manitoba à Stony Mountain dans les années 1890 et plus t**d au pénitencier de la Colombie-Britannique à New Westminster. Il est très probable que le Directeur en ait également eu une version, mais cet écusson a une particularité : les bras verticaux de la croix ne sont pas parfaitement alignés. Cela semble également être le cas sur nos photos disponibles du député Bourke. Nous continuons à rechercher quand cet écusson distinctif a été introduit pour la première fois.

En savoir plus sur David Dominick Bourke. Il est né dans le comté de Mayo, en Irlande, en 1845. Sa famille a immigré au Canada alors qu'il avait 15 ans en 1860 et s'est installée au Nouveau-Brunswick. Il était diplômé du St. Francis Xavier College d'Antigonish, en Nouvelle-Écosse. Pendant vingt ans, il a été enseignant dans une école publique en Nouvelle-Écosse et au Nouveau-Brunswick. Il s'est joint au Service fédéral des pénitenciers le 23 juillet 1886 à titre de surveillant d'hôpital et d'instituteur au pénitencier du Manitoba, à Stony Mountain. Le 13 octobre 1892, il est promu simultanément « directeur adjoint et gardien en chef ».

Le 1er avril 1896, il fut transféré au pénitencier de la Colombie-Britannique à titre de directeur adjoint. Bourke y a servi pendant 12 ans. Bourke était directeur par intérim au cours de l'été 1907 lorsque le tristement célèbre voleur de train Bill Miner s'est échappé. Ses supérieurs ont imputé la responsabilité de l'évasion à Bourke, et il a pris sa retraite peu de temps après.

M. Bourke mesurait 6 pi 4 po et était une figure éminente de New Westminster, en Colombie-Britannique. Il est également devenu un poète bien connu au cours de ses dernières années. À un moment donné, il a été encouragé à se présenter à la mairie, mais il a refusé. Il a passé plusieurs années à tenter de blanchir son nom en lien avec l'évasion de Miner et est décédé en Colombie-Britannique. en 1921. M. Bourke laisse dans le deuil son épouse, ses 5 filles et 3 fils.

A unique and previously unknown artifact came into the Museum’s collection recently: a tunic button from the Halifax Penitentiary. The tunic buttons were part of an officer’s uniform clothing. At Confederation, in 1867, the Halifax Penitentiary was one of three existing penitentiaries that were placed under federal jurisdiction – the other two being in Kingston and Saint John. It was opened in 1844, and closed in 1880, the inmates transferred to the new Dorchester Penitentiary. Unusually, the back mark (right) bears a profile image of a swimming swan over a ribbon bearing the Latin motto “Presta Et Prevale”. This appears to translate to “Be Prepared and Beware.” Learn more here: https://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/collections/buttons/button-halifax-penitentiary/

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Un artefact unique et jusqu’alors inconnu a récemment rejoint la collection du Musée : un bouton de tunique provenant du pénitencier d’Halifax. Les boutons de la tunique faisaient partie des vêtements de l’uniforme d’un officier. Lors de la Confédération, en 1867, le pénitencier d'Halifax était l'un des trois pénitenciers existants placés sous juridiction fédérale, les deux autres étant situés à Kingston et à St. John. Il a été ouvert en 1844 et sera fermé en 1880, les détenus étant transférés au nouveau pénitencier de Dorchester. Fait inhabituel, la marque arrière (à droite) porte l'image de profil d'un cygne nageant sur un ruban portant la devise latine « Presta Et Prevale ». Cela semble se traduire par « Soyez prêt et méfiez-vous ». En savoir plus ici: https://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/fr/collections-2/boutons/bouton-penitencier-de-halifax/

For the holiday season, a look back to Christmas at Kingston Penitentiary in 1887. From the December 28, 1887, issue of the Daily British Whig. Find our transcription below!
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CHRISTMAS AT THE PRISON.

How the Day Was Spent-A Bright Day for the Unfortunate Prisoners.

It may seem to a great many that the sentence, "A merry Christmas in prison," contains two opposite and irreconcileable ideas, and is, therefore, a mere jumble of words, having no meaning. But such is not always the case, as was demonstrated by the bright faces f of the unfortunates in the penitentiary when they lined up before a well filled table of Christmas luxuries. Of course, though many of these indeed enjoy their Christmas, there are also those to whom it brings a rush of tender recollections of former better days. But, probably, the great majority of them never before knew what Christmas pleasures were. For these, therefore, the dinner table had a great at traction and, no doubt, they made the best of their opportunities. The bill of fare con sisted principally of pork and beans, mashed potatoes, currant bread, plum-pudding with sauce, apples, and an address from the war- den, Dr. Lavell. The latter, who was often interrupted with cheers, wished the priso ners a happy Christmas, as happy a one as they could pass under the circumstances, reminding them of the reasons for which the day was celebrated and also giving them some encouragement and good advice.

The plum pudding, of which such a por tion was given to each man as to render it entirely impossible for him to wish for "more," was cooked in the penitentiary kitchen under the superintendence of Steward Weir, who certainly knows how to make a good pudding. It disappeared rapidly, at any rate, as did also the other good things provided. Nor were these the only luxuries enjoyed, for during the past week well filled boxes of all sizes have been pouring into the prison and thus keeping a detachment of officers busy examining every article before passing it to the owner.

No man passed the day under punishment for insubordination or bad conduct, and so good is the health of all the prisoners that not one of then was unable to eat and relish his Christmas dinner.

So passed one of the very few bright days in the history of the unfortunates incarcerated within the strong walls of the penitentiary.

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Pour la période des fêtes, retour sur Noël au pénitencier de Kingston en 1887. Extrait du numéro du 28 décembre 1887 du Daily British Whig.
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NOËL À LA PRISON.

Comment s'est déroulée la journée - Une journée lumineuse pour les malheureux prisonniers.

Beaucoup peuvent penser que la phrase « Joyeux Noël en prison » contient deux idées opposées et inconciliables et n'est donc qu'un simple fouillis de mots sans aucun sens. Mais tel n'est pas toujours le cas, comme l'ont démontré les visages brillants des malheureux du pénitencier lorsqu'ils faisaient la queue devant une table bien remplie de luxes de Noël. Bien sûr, même si beaucoup d'entre eux profitent effectivement de Noël, il y a aussi ceux à qui cela apporte un regain de tendres souvenirs d'anciens jours meilleurs. Mais il est probable que la grande majorité d’entre eux ne savaient jamais ce qu’étaient les plaisirs de Noël. Pour eux, la table du dîner avait donc un grand pouvoir d'attraction et, sans aucun doute, ils ont tiré le meilleur parti de leurs opportunités. Le menu comprenait principalement du porc et des haricots, de la purée de pommes de terre, du pain aux groseilles, du pudding aux prunes avec sauce, des pommes et un discours du directeur, le Dr Lavell. Ce dernier, souvent interrompu par des acclamations, a souhaité aux prisonniers un joyeux Noël, le plus joyeux possible dans ces circonstances, en leur rappelant les raisons pour lesquelles cette journée était célébrée et en leur donnant également quelques encouragements et de bons conseils. .

Le pudding aux prunes, dont une portion était donnée à chaque homme de telle sorte qu'il lui était absolument impossible de souhaiter « en savoir plus », était cuit dans la cuisine du pénitencier sous la surveillance de l'intendant Weir, qui sait certainement comment faire un bon pudding. En tout cas, il disparut rapidement, tout comme les autres bonnes choses fournies. Ce n'était pas non plus le seul luxe dont on jouissait, car depuis une semaine, des cartons bien remplis de toutes tailles ont afflué dans la prison et ont ainsi tenu un détachement d'officiers occupés à examiner chaque article avant de le remettre au propriétaire.

Aucun homme n'a passé la journée sous la punition d'insubordination ou de mauvaise conduite, et la santé de tous les prisonniers est si bonne qu'aucun d'entre eux n'a pu manger et savourer son dîner de Noël.

Ainsi se passa l'un des rares jours radieux de l'histoire des malheureux incarcérés entre les solides murs du pénitencier.

As 2023 draws to a close, so does , our celebration of 150 years of Cedarhedge, the former Warden’s residence of Kingston Penitentiary. Thank you to everyone who read, shared and commented on our posts here. Thanks to everyone who visited the Museum during this special year. We truly enjoyed researching and presenting the history of the house. Watch this space for exciting news in 2024!

The picture is the Lavell family’s toboggan slide, February 1892 ( # 1990.008.30). This elaborate slide was erected behind Cedarhedge and ran into what is now the former Prison for Women property.

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Alors que l’année 2023 touche à sa fin, , notre célébration des 150 ans de Cedarhedge, l’ancienne résidence du directeur du pénitencier de Kingston, se termine également. Merci à tous ceux qui ont lu, partagé et commenté nos publications ici. Merci à tous ceux qui ont visité le Musée au cours de cette année spéciale. Nous avons vraiment aimé rechercher et présenter l'histoire de la maison. Surveillez cet espace pour des nouvelles passionnantes en 2024 !

La photo est le toboggan de la famille Lavell, février 1892 ( # 1990.008.30). Ce toboggan élaboré a été érigé derrière Cedarhedge et aboutissait à ce qui est aujourd'hui l'ancienne propriété de la Prison des femmes.

Very nice of Correctional Service of Canada to highlight the hard work of the Museum's volunteers and community. Without them, the Museum would simply not be what it is, and we are proud that their invaluable contributions are being recognized. Thank you to our volunteers for a great 2023 and see you all in 2024!

We are proud to celebrate the exceptional contributions of our volunteers at Canada’s Penitentiary Museum. Their hard work and expertise have been vital to its success.

From tour guides to researchers and board members, the museum is lucky to have volunteers with considerable experience. Thanks to them, the museum welcomed over 30,000 visitors within the summer.

We are looking forward to celebrating their 60th season with them in 2024!

To find out more about the museum, visit: https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/about-us/006-1002-en.shtml