The PumpHouse is located in one of Canada’s oldest original water works, where steam-powered pumps provided the first running water to Kingston residents and businesses beginning in 1851. Only six similar preserved water pumping plants remain in North America.

The museum’s most incredible artifact is the building itself – where the original pumps remain in place and visitors can discover exactly how they worked. During indoor museum tours, skilled guides demonstrate how steam power was an essential element of the industrial development of Canada and how pumped water played a key role in Kingston’s history.

Click below to explore the additional rooms on view during each visit to the PumpHouse.

The Stuff Stories Are Made Of

The exterior of the PumpHouse musuem

The Stuff Stories Are Made Of, is an exhibition that showcases an impressive range of over 180 objects
from the City of Kingston Civic Collection, many of which have never been on display before. This

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Model Trains

Model Trains

The PumpHouse is home to a stunning collection of model trains. An elaborate mutli-level O scale train can be set in motion by the push of a button, a diminutive N scale train set showcases impressive miniatures, and the HO scale train set from the opening of the iconic CBC children’s show ‘The Friendly Giant’ is on display.

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Gordon C. Leitch Discovery Centre

Gordon C. Leitch Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre is not available as an interactive space at the present time due to health and safety restrictions related to COVID-19. Please join us instead for a private children's education program, a guided indoor museum tour, or a guided outdoor walking tour.

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