Lifelong Learning
(Programs for Adults)
Discover, Discuss & Connect: Adult Programming for Curious Minds
Join us every other Monday, from 10:30–11:30 AM, to discuss fascinating topics for curious minds.
Led by museum staff and special guests, this adult program includes a 30-minute dive into the topic with time for discussion while enjoying coffee, tea, and tasty treats. So pull up a chair and join the conversation!
Advance registration is recommended, and you can register online or at the Museum.
Limited spots available at the door.
Where: Great Lakes Museum, 55 Ontario St.
Cost: $6 per person, per session (includes Museum Admission)
Upcoming Sessions
2025-2026 Schedule
Monday, January 5
10:30–11:30 AM
The Great White Hurricane of 1913
No storm on the Great Lakes has been as deadly as the Great White Hurricane of 1913. For three days, high winds and heavy seas arose seemingly out of nowhere to claim over 30 ships and the lives of over 250 sailors. We will examine the cause of the storm and its devastating effects on Kingston and the area.
Monday, January 19
10:30–11:30 AM
Wreck of the George A. Marsh
Beneath the dark waters lies a story frozen in time… On a storm-torn night in August 1917, the George A. Marsh fought for nearly 10 hours before the lake claimed its final victory. What secrets rest in the depths? Guillaume Courcy, owner of Neptune & Salacia Diving, descended into the darkness to find out. Join us as he reveals what he discovered in the silent wreck and see actual artifacts fromget the chance to examine artefacts from the wreck that are part of the Museum’s collection.
Monday, February 2
10:30–11:30 AM
Seasickness: Exploring Disease on Boats
Monday, February 16
10:30–11:30 AM
The People of the PumpHouse
From 1851 to 1952, the City of Kingston Water Works didn’t just pump water—it transformed daily life for Kingston’s residents. Behind the machinery were the engineers, laborers, and families whose lives were shaped by this essential service. In this talk, we’ll uncover the human stories of the PumpHouse: the workers who kept the steam engines running, the communities who relied on clean water, and the challenges they faced during fires, outbreaks of disease, and a rapidly growing city. Today, the PumpHouse Museum preserves these stories, offering a glimpse into how innovation and resilience built the Kingston we know. Join us as we walk through the social history of the PumpHouse and explore how water connected—and protected—the people of Kingston.
Monday, March 2
10:30–11:30 AM
Mythological Stories of the Great Lakes
Since time immemorial, the Great Lakes have inspired meaningful stories that shape cultural identity and our understanding of the natural world. From creation stories of the Anishinaabe and other indigenous communities to later legends developed by European settlers, these traditions reveal how people sought to explain the mysterious and the unknown. Through these tales, we will explore themes that transcend cultural boundaries and foster a deep respect for the immense power of these waters we call home.
Past Sessions
November 24, 2025 – The Edmund Fitzgerald
December 8, 2025 – The Mysterious Sinking of the Waubuno