Featured image: Located on the northeastern end of Lake Ontario, the historic town of Kingston was Canada’s first capital / Photo by Kingston Tourism

The women of Kingston continue to invite and inspire visitors

by Kathy Buckworth

Kingston’s history is full of the accomplishments and contributions made by strong, powerful women. A city steeped in political and wartime history, Kingston owes a debt of gratitude to the many women who have played an important role in the establishment of, and the continuing development of, this first capital of Canada.

With a population just shy of 150,000, Kingston, Ontario, is situated at the start of the St. Lawrence River, which eventually flows out to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a city visited not only for its historical significance in the development of Canada as a country, but also for the many attractions which its unique waterfront provides.

With a staggering 46 hotels within the city limits, Kingston is well prepared to take advantage of travellers from all over the world. Typically, visitors will drive to Kingston or fly into the Ottawa airport, with just an hour’s drive ahead of them. While the city is full of historical buildings, they are all dwarfed by the city hall, which was once the seat of Canadian government when Kingston held the title of the capital of Canada for two years.

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Some of Kingston’s most famous females

One of Kingston’s newest and most famous females is the impressive and historic S.S. Keewatin, as part of the Great Lakes Museum. She is a luxury freshwater ocean liner open for visitors to explore her 108 staterooms (which would have accommodated 288 passengers), magnificent lobby areas and stunning dining room. Many staterooms have been staged to represent the fashions and lifestyle of the former passengers. Naturally, there is a Ladies Lounge, where the ship’s dedicated volunteers have laid out separate lounge areas divided and represented by the decades that women visited the ship, from 1908 to its final sailing in 1965.

Below the water, there are an estimated 200+ wrecks around Kingston and the Thousand Islands, making it a dive destination second to none in Canada. Most people have heard of (King) Neptune, but when they visit the dive company Neptune & Salacia, many ponder who the latter is. Salacia was the goddess of the sea, as well as being Neptune’s wife and Queen. This dive company honours the women of the sea, and none more so than pioneering diver Barbara Carson, revered for her significant contributions to the Great Lakes’ shipwreck exploration and preservation. She is mostly celebrated for rediscovering the wreck of the Oliver Mowat in 1996, which had been lost for 75 years. She was instrumental in locating many shipwrecks across Ontario, particularly in this region.

Carson, believed to be now in her 80s, is also an advocate for the preservation of underwater cultural heritage. To protect the fragility of these sites, her work resulted in detailed 3D photogrammetry models and the installation of mooring buoys, facilitating responsible diving practices.

But Barbara is not the only woman nor the only Carson whose work protects those under and on the water.

The Island Queen

While no proof of relation exists, Rachel Carson was instrumental in preserving the Great Blue Herons of the Thousand Islands region through her book “Silent Spring”, which led to the banning of DDT. Thousands of them can be seen on the islands, and some very close up if you take a cruise on another famous female, the Island Queen, a triple-decked Mississippi Paddle wheeler. This boat can hold up to 250 passengers and offers a full dining experience and live entertainment. The three-hour tour includes a historic commentary of the region and its inhabitants.

Women in Kingston have fared just as well on land and have left their marks in significant ways.

Isabel Bader (1926–2022) was a distinguished Canadian philanthropist, educator, and arts patron, whose legacy is acknowledged with the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. Associated with Queen’s University, this 80,000-square-foot facility houses performance halls, studios, and rehearsal spaces, as well as serving as a hub for the university’s arts programs.

In the shadow of John A MacDonald, which continues to spark controversy in the Limestone City, one thing is clear: the legends of the women of Kingston will continue to invite and inspire visitors for generations to come.

Where to stay in Kingston

Writer Kathy Buckworth stayed at the Frontenac Club while in Kingston. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the Frontenac Club’s 24 rooms offer personal service, privacy, unique rooms and the favoured Candy Bar.

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How to get to Kingston

From Toronto or Ottawa, take Via Rail into the heart of the city. You can also drive (rent a car here) or take the bus. The closest international airport is Ottawa International. Find a flight here. Kingston is on the US border. If driving across the Thousand Islands Border Crossing at Alexandria Bay, New York, make sure your passport and travel documents are up to date.

Disclaimer: Kathy was a guest of the Kingston Tourism Board, which did not review this article prior to publication, thereby maintaining its integrity as an objective article.

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