Ryeley G.
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston Regional Fair
Kingston First Capital?
Kingston was the First Capital of the United Province of Canada in the 1840s. It was an unlikely capital chosen over Montreal and Toronto. Both cities were larger, had experience as a capital city, and had plenty of suitable buildings to be a parliament building, offices and houses for the government members. My video looks at why Kingston was chosen and how its time as First Capital changed it for the better.
What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?
I never knew that Kingston was the first capital to begin with so that was very interesting. Learning all the names of the Governor Generals and the part each played in making Kingston what it is today was really neat too.
What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?
I want people to know about why Kingston was first capital and why that is such an important part of my home town’s history. It helped make our city what it is today.
How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?
We are very different from the people who lived in the 1840s but there are still reminders of that time, with still standing limestone houses, churches, and monuments dedicated to the important people of the time when Kingston was First Capital.