Canada's Penitentiary Museum

Visit: http://www.thekingstonguide.com/penitentiary-museum/

Whether you’re a visitor to Kingston, or a resident looking for something interesting to do in an afternoon, the Kingston Penitentiary Museum is sure to fill the void. After all, the corrections system is a part of Kingston’s heritage and a big part of its current economy.

This highly informative (and even slightly creepy) destination is located directly across from the maximum security Kingston Penitentiary, in what used to be the house of the prison’s warden. It becomes obvious by the size and decor of the house that he lived well. The building is large and stately (for a house of its time), and its rooms are full of displays and artifacts from Canada’s prisons.

Of particular interest (to the morbidly curious) is the collection of shivs and shanks that has been gathered over the years. The devices are downright menacing in appearance and you can’t help but shiver a little when you see them. The creativity of the inmates who made these weapons is actually pretty impressive, and it’s easy to imagine the gory results that they would have if used on people. There is even a homemade gun on on display.

Other exhibits include methods of prison escape (pretty cool stuff actually) and replicas of old and new prison cells with freaky mannequin inmates.

The volunteers at the penitentiary museum are quite friendly, and really knowledgeable, and will gladly talk your ear off if you have any questions.

Admission to the museum is by donation. Proceeds support the museum’s upkeep.

Address: 555 King Street West, Kingston
Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am-4pm, Weekends 10am-4 pm
Winter: Mon-Fri by appointment only
Phone: 613-530-3122