Frontenac County Schools Museum, Kingston

The Frontenac County Schools Museum began as a project to commemorate Kingston’s Tercentenary in 1973. A dedicated group of retired educators spent countless hours researching historical schools, photographing sites, collecting educational books and artifacts, and microfilming hundreds of school records to preserve the rich history of education in the area.

Formally established as a museum association in 1977, the Frontenac County Schools Museum opened to the public in 1979. In 2006, it found a new home in the historic Barriefield Village, where it continues to celebrate the region's educational heritage. Visitors to the museum can step back in time to experience the early 1900s through a meticulously recreated one-room schoolhouse and a display gallery filled with artifacts and archival materials from schools that once dotted Frontenac County.

At the museum, guests can partake in guided gallery tours and hands-on activities such as traditional pen and ink lessons, enhancing their understanding of historical education practices. The museum provides a variety of engaging experiences, including classroom lessons led by a "Schoolmistress" or "Schoolmaster," heritage interpretation through exhibits, and the opportunity to identify artifacts used in pioneer schools. Visitors can also enjoy perusing the books used in early educational settings, offering a comprehensive look at the educational tools and methods of the past.

The Frontenac County Schools Museum is free to the public, though donations are welcome to support its ongoing efforts to preserve and share the history of education in the region.