Frontenac County Schools Museum

The Frontenac County Schools Museum is excited to announce our new temporary exhibit!

The model and panel were made as a project for the Kingston Regional Heritage Fair. Students from various schools in the region submit historical research projects on a range of topics. A student from Kings Town School decided to research the school's history and consulted the Museum's curator on the former Cataraqui School.

Come check out the wonderful work of this student at the Frontenac County Schools Museum today!

The Frontenac County Schools Museum is now offering Scavenger Hunts!

Explore the Museum and Barriefield Village with added curiosity and excitement!

Locate all of the artefacts, hunt down the invasion of Lego figures, or walk around the Village to find varying historic homes and buildings!

Admission to the Museum is by donation, come visit us and we hope to see you soon.

This is a report issued by the Special Committee of Johnson and Queen Street School. It is in regards to several tenders for the cleaning of the school’s privies (the outhouses) for the sum of $60.

The Gordon Street School was located on the corner of Stuart Street and Gordon Street (now University Avenue). The land was Lot 15 of the Ordnance Land (Herchmer Farm) and was purchased by the Board for $500. The stone building was designed by architect John Power and tenders were received for Mr. Lach for masonry and Mr. Irvine for carpentry. The lower floor of the school opened in 1865 with Miss Ward as the teacher. A teacher’s assistant was hired when the upper floor of the building opened in 1869. Gordon Street School was used until Victoria School opened in 1893. The school was sold for $3900, and the location of the school now houses Ban Righ Hall.

This is the third letter in a series of correspondence between Minnie Hunter and the Kingston Common School Board Trustees. The letter contains Hunter’s response to William Armstrong’s previous letter and expressed and annoyed with the tone of the previous letter. She states that she was originally told she would not be teaching past Christmas, which she says she was not content with those terms. She believes the Board inferred she could not manage the school and if that were to be true, finds it unfair for her placement at the Johnson Street School. She ends her letter by apologising for the misunderstanding as well as complaining about the ungentlemanly behaviour of the trustees.

The Orphan’s Home School originally opened in 1856 under the Orphans’ Home and Widows’ Friend Society. The school was originally located on Earl Street between Barrie Street and Gordon Street (now University Avenue). The school prioritized welcoming in children with no parents first, one parent unable to properly care for the child second, and thirdly children that were in compromised circumstances with two parents. The home was not intended to be a permanent placement for children, with the intention either reunite them with their families or find a proper placement for them. Children that were not a part of the Orphans’ Home and Widows’ Friend Society were not permitted to attend the Orphan’s Home School. Part of the placement process was to ensure that the children would attend school and church with a loving home. The Orphan’s Home School fell under the jurisdiction of the School Board in 1857, the Board appointed and paid a regular teacher for the school. In 1862, the Orphan’ Home and Widows’ Friend Society purchased a 3-acre lot on the corner of Union Street and Gordon Street (University Avenue). The new building was used from 1862-1927 until it was bought by Queen’s University in 1927. The building was used as the Student Union until a fire occurred and the building burned down in 1947. The site now houses the John Deutsch University Centre.

IT'S BACK! This Saturday August 1st, the Frontenac County Schools Museum will be offering crafts to all visitors! Come and learn how to use a straight pen and ink or make a pressed flower bookmark!

🕰 August 1st, 10am-4pm
📍414 Regent Street (Barriefield Village)

This letter is a response to Minnie Hunter’s resignation from Secretary-Treasurer William Armstrong. He expressed surprise and regret from the Trustees for her resignation and the lack of proper notice given. He states that the Board could force Hunter to complete the final three months before leaving but would not to avoid serious injury. The end of the letter states that the Board hopes she reflects on the situation and will regret the “unkind and uncandid manner” expressed in her resignation.

The idea for the opening of Cataraqui School was first proposed in 1866 in order to serve the Cataraqui Ward families. The School Board had difficulties locating a lot for the school, but ultimately found one after an offer from Mr. Frances Tracey. The lot was on RIdeau Street at a cost of $600. The School Board had continued issues with funding for the construction of the school, but ultimately went forward and purchased the lot on Rideau Street. In 1867 plans for the school were in motion under the tenders of A. Davidson, R. Tossell, and T. McMahon for a total of $1700, as well as the architect John Power. The “New Cataraqui School” opened on November 16, 1868, with students from the Charlesville and Princess Street school moved to Cataraqui School. An increase in students resulted in the construction of an addition in 1877 at a cost of $1700. Cataraqui School operated until the opening of Robert Meek Public School in 1920. The building then became a Coca-Cola Factory and is now Kings Town Private School.