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We’re excited to welcome visitors to the Museum of Lennox & Addington, located at 97 Thomas Street East, Napanee. We’ll closely follow the health and safety guidelines set out by KFL&A Public Health, with scheduled viewing and adding additional cleaning protocols for our space.
To say we are passionate about Lennox & Addington would be an understatement. At the museum we celebrate our roots as well as connect our residents and area visitors through unique programming and events.
There’s always something new to see and explore, so make sure you come back time and time again.
We’re sure you’ll have a safe and enjoyable visit.
Book an appointment online for the morning or afternoon beginning at 10:00 am, Monday – Friday. Need a full day of research? Call us at 613-354-3027, and we can do the booking for you. Feel free to book more than one research session per week.
The Macpherson House is open during the summer for tours. Book an appointment below or call 613-354-3027. The Macpherson House is located at 180 Elizabeth Street, Napanee.
When you visit the museum, you are also stepping into what once was the County Gaol. The limestone walls hold over 125 years of history all preserved in old gaol reports, County Minutes, and newspapers, now housed in our County Archives.
Gaol records date back to 1865, to when an 18 year old Camden youth, charged with theft, became the very first inmate until his crime was overturned. Besides theft you could also end up in the gaol if you committed other crimes such as; assault and battery, vagrancy, drunkenness, horse stealing, foul language, non-payment of taxes, and keeping a house of ill-fame. But, it wasn’t just criminals that were residents of the gaol, these walls also housed those deemed insane, poor or orphaned children.
In October of 1976, the Lennox and Addington County Museum was officially open in the old County Gaol.
Let’s Learn: Back in 1861, there was a variety of staff that worked at the gaol. These included the gaoler who made an annual salary of $400. There was also a turnkey who made $200 per annum and the gaol physician who received just $50 per annum.
The online collections only serve as a guide for researchers. A visit to the Museum & Archives is recommended to view original records and to do more extensive research.
JoAnne Himmelman
History has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. So it’s not surprising that I graduated from Queen’s University with a BAH in History and Classical Studies and finished my degree in Museum Studies. I started my career in Kingston area museums and eventually landed in Napanee, where I have worked with the County’s collection for 20 years.
As the museum’s curator it brings me great joy to capture glimpses of our past and display it for all to see and enjoy. Stop in and say hello, I look forward to sharing my love of history, travel, and story-telling with you.
Kim Kerr
Growing up I loved discovering different cultures and learning about history. This interest led to my chosen course of study in Anthropology and archaeology. Even though I loved it, it became clear that I didn’t love the lifestyle of an archaeologist. So I shifted to a Masters of Library and Information Science. My first co-op position was in an archives, and I discovered a field as close as I could get to archaeology without the threat of mosquito borne diseases and I knew I had found my true passion.
I came to the Museum of Lennox and Addington six years ago, and continue to be amazed at what I learn about the community and its history each and every day. It’s an honour to be an archivist in this community of kind people, beautiful geography and passion for history not alive anywhere else like it is in L&A County.
Amber Meyer
For me, history runs deep into all that I am. I am fascinated by learning, making connections and figuring out how history is related to the world around us. We are all connected somehow, and if we do not keep sharing our stories with those who will see it in the future, that piece of history will be lost. Every day at our museum I work towards creating educational programs, events, cultural and historical celebrations that teach us about our past as well as celebrate where we are today. You are never too young (or old) to be inspired by your own love of history.
I am a Queen’s University graduate with a BAH in History. Post graduate, I studied Education with the main objective that when you encourage an inquisitive mind, there is no stopping it. Outside of our beautiful museum’s limestone walls, I have spent the last 5 years as the Program Coordinator teaching and connecting with the community around me. I am a proud mom, passionate volunteer and am committed to make our local history one for the books. I look forward to sharing with you all of the exciting moments that we have here at the L&A County Museum and Archives and invite you all to join us.
Monday – Saturday: 10am–5pm
Open for tours in the summer
Monday – Friday: 10am–5pm
Adults: $3
Children under 12: free
All service fees are based on a cost recovery model. Factors such as the physical condition of the records and copyright restrictions may prevent some or all of the reproduction processes from being offered.
180 Elizabeth Street, Napanee, ON K7R 1B5
