Close-up image of Iron Lung, 1937. On display at the Museum of Health Care.

OUR HISTORY

Caring for Canada’s Health Care Story since 1991

The Museum of Health Care at Kingston is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of health and medicine in Canada. Located in the historic Ann Baillie Building—a National Historic Site that once served as a residence for nursing students at Kingston General Hospital—we care for one of the most comprehensive collections of medical artifacts in the country. Our story is one of community vision, national significance, and ongoing commitment to connecting past practices to present conversations about health and care. From its founding by local leaders who saw the need to preserve our health heritage, to its evolution into a national resource housed in a designated historic site, the Museum of Health Care is rooted in collaboration and public purpose.

Entrance to Ann Bailie Building with a step, a white door with a window, an 'Open Come In' sign, a signboard advertising walking tours of the hospital's history, and a white chair outside.

Early Beginnings

The origins of the Museum trace back to the 1980s, when a group of local physicians, nurses, museum professionals, and Queen’s University scholars recognized the need to preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts and stories of Canada’s medical past.

This grassroots effort gained traction through the support of Kingston General Hospital and Queen’s Faculty of Health Sciences, which together helped transform the decommissioned Ann Baillie Building into a museum space. In 1991, the Museum of Health Care was formally established as an independent, registered charity.

From the very start, the Museum was envisioned not only as a repository of artifacts, but as an educational and research resource for scholars, students, health professionals, and the wider public.

Black and white photo of a large, historic house with a prominent front porch supported by multiple columns, stone exterior walls, and a set of stairs leading up to the front entrance.

Opening to the Public

After several years of planning, renovation, and collection building, the Museum of Health Care officially opened its doors to the public in 1995. The restored Ann Baillie Building, with its historic architecture and deep ties to nursing education, provided a fitting home for the Museum’s growing collection.

The opening marked a major milestone—not just for Kingston, but for Canada—as it created the country’s first museum devoted exclusively to the history of health and medicine. Visitors were invited to explore early exhibits focused on medical instruments, public health, and the evolution of care, laying the foundation for decades of learning, reflection, and community engagement.

A girl and a man are looking at a human skeleton exhibit in a museum. The girl is standing behind a glass case, touching her chin with her finger, while the man is leaning in close, both observing the skeleton.

From a Local Dream to National Institution

Since that public opening, the Museum has evolved from a small, regionally focused collection into a nationally significant institution. We now care for over 40,000 artifacts, documents, and images that explore the experiences, innovations, and challenges that have shaped health and healing across time.

Our exhibitions, school programs, community events, and digital resources make health history accessible, relevant, and engaging for audiences of all ages.

Close-up image of Iron Lung, 1937. On display at the Museum of Health Care.

A Living Legacy

As Canada’s only standalone museum devoted entirely to the history of health and medicine, we are uniquely positioned to preserve stories that matter—from the everyday to the extraordinary. We remain committed to fostering critical conversations about health through inclusive storytelling, community collaboration, and professional stewardship.

As we look toward the future, the Museum of Health Care continues to honour the past while shaping a more informed and connected future of health.

Our Timeline

The Museum of Health Care has grown from a visionary idea into a nationally significant institution preserving and sharing Canada’s medical history. This timeline highlights key milestones in the Museum’s development, from its founding efforts in the late 1980s to major exhibitions, expansions, and strategic initiatives that continue to shape its impact today.

A woman sitting on a bed in a vintage bedroom, smiling and wearing a white dress. The room has a bedside table with papers and a lamp, framed photos on the wall, a striped cushion, and a rug on the floor.

  • Consultation and planning for the Museum begin.

  • The Museum of Health Care is founded and begins acquiring and building its collection.

  • Launch of the first outreach gallery in the Hall of Honour at Kingston General Hospital

  • The museum opens its doors to the public in its new home at the Ann Baillie Building (former nursing-student residence, a 1904 Beaux-Arts structure)

  • Establishment of a formal Board of Directors

  • Museum incorporates as a registered charity; outreach gallery opens at Kingston Regional Cancer Centre

  • The Ann Baillie Building is designated a National Historic Site

  • Outreach gallery opens at Providence Care’s Mental Health Services site

  • Outreach gallery opens in Queen’s University’s Bracken Library

  • Acquisition of the Academy of Medicine in Toronto’s collection

  • Addition of a new tower and elevator to improve accessibility

  • Opening of the permanent nursing gallery in restored rooms

  • Two gallery spaces renovated to house a children’s gallery and semi‑permanent exhibit space