Built Heritage Driving Tour
The Built Heritage Driving Tour, including 23 of the Kingston Peninsula's best-preserved historical buildings and landmarks, makes for an amazing self-guided and socially distanced activity for the summer! The Driving Tour offers a chance to explore a selection of Kingston Peninsula's heritage homes, each with its own story, past and present, from early architects, builders and residents to more recent restorations and adaptations. It is a wonderful way to explore Kingston's architectural styles, design ideas, and landscapes.
About the Built Heritage Driving Tour
The purpose of the Built Heritage Driving Tour is gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Kingston's rich history through its many historical buildings and landmarks. You can use the google map link below to navigate the tour via google maps, or pick up a print of the Driving Tour Map at the John Fisher Memorial Museum. In conjunction with the Driving Tour Map, you can use the Built Heritage Index to locate and access information on the heritage sites. You can also have our Built Heritage Audio Tour accompany you on your drive with vivid descriptions of our community's history and stories! The estimated driving time is approximately 2 hours, with additional time added if you wish to stop for lunch at the 1810 Carter House, or picnic at our beautiful Cedars Lighthouse!
Below, we have our Driving Tour Map of 23 locations and another more detailed map including 57 of Kingston Peninsula's Heritage Sites. The Driving Tour Map includes 23 of the Kingston Peninsula's best-preserved historical buildings and landmarks that are easily accessible and visible form the road. The map of Kingston Peninsula's Heritage Sites features the complete list of all the Kingston Peninsula Heritage's known heritage sites. We do not recommend the map of 57 sites, as it may be time-consuming and not all the homeowners are welcome to visitors, but it could be broken up into smaller tours, be used for further personal research, and can be visited upon request!
Driving Tour Map
This Map includes 23 of the Kingston Peninsula's best-preserved historical buildings and landmarks that are easily accessible and visible form the road.
Kingston Peninsula's Heritage Sites
The above map features the complete list of all of Kingston Peninsula Heritage's known heritage sites. Our map of 57 sites may be broken up into smaller tours or used for further personal research!
We ask that when viewing private residences to respect the property and privacy of the homeowners.
Driving Tour Written Directions
Follow the map to pinpoint the exact location of the heritage sites!
Begin at the bottom of Peter's Hill Road with site number one.
Turn left off of Peter's Hill Road onto Ganong Road.
Turn right off of Ganong Road onto Whiting's Lane, then, turn left off of Whiting's Lane onto Route 850.
Follow Route 850 until you reach the four way intersection beside the general school and church, then turn right and take the 850 to Long Reach.
Follow Route 850 to the end of the peninsula to visit Harding's Point Cemetery. From here, turn around and go back the way you came until you reach a right turn onto Route 845.
Follow Route 845 until you cross the covered bridge, after which you may stay on the 845, or take Pipertown Road as a crossroad to cut several kilometers off of your trip.
Stay on the 845, or return to it after taking Pipertown Road, and follow it to Reeds Point, where the tour will conclude.
Please drive safely, and enjoy the beautiful sights that the Kingston Peninsula has to offer.
Built Heritage Audio Tour
Have our Built Heritage Audio Tour accompany you on your drive with vivid descriptions of our community's history!
Acknowledgements
The production of the tour began with Rivers Keirstead in 2020, continued in 2021 by Hannah Kindred and Emma Giberson in 2022.
We would like to thank volunteer and printing specialist Maggie Macleod for her help in formatting and producing our printed maps, as well as Select Printing & Signs Ltd. for their contributions.
Young Canada Works and the National Trust for Canada