City Hall

• 1842 
  On June 15, 1842, the town of Kingston announced a competition for architects and builders to design a town hall and market. The estimated construction cost was 10,000 pounds. 
• 1843
  On June 5, 1943, Governor General Sir Charles Metcalfe laid the City Hall corner stone. 
• 1844 
  Completed in December 1844, the building cost more than expected due to changes to the original design. 
• 1865 
  A fire destroyed the market wing's end block, which originally housed City Hall’s clock. The original clock, a gift from John Counter and John A. Macdonald, was then moved to the main dome. 
• 1908 
  A fire damaged the cupola atop City Hall's dome, but it was rebuilt in May 1909. During the reconstruction, a new Seth Thomas clock and bell were installed, which remain in the dome today. 
• 1921
  Memorial Hall was named in memory of those from Kingston who died in the First World War and the stained-glass windows were installed. 
• 1956
  The front columns of City Hall were removed due to structural issues; it took until 1966 to replace them.
• 1972
  City Hall was closed until 1973 for a major renovation project that revitalized much of the building.
• 2002 
  A renovation project included a new copper roof and clock tower reconstruction. The clocks were temporarily removed to repair their stained-glass faces.

Interested in a guided tour in another language? Call 613-544-7867 or email CityHallTours@CityofKingston.ca to see if we can help.

Tours can be personalized to match different interests. For groups larger than six people and school groups, please contact us ahead of time. 

To book your City Hall tour: 

• Email: cityhalltours@cityofkingston.ca or, 
• Call: 613-544-7867