Museum of Health Care, Kingston

The Museum of Health Care in Kingston offers a fascinating journey through the evolution of health and medicine in Canada, from the 18th century to the present day. Housed in the historic Ann Baillie Building-a 1904 Beaux-Arts limestone structure on the grounds of Kingston General Hospital-the museum explores how Canadians have cared for their bodies, battled disease, and shaped the medical profession over time.

Originally built as a dormitory for 26 nursing students, the Ann Baillie Building was designed by local architect William Newlands. It served the Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing, one of the earliest nursing training programs in Canada. Before its construction, students lived in overcrowded hospital quarters, facing exposure to infectious diseases. The building-named in honor of Ann Baillie, a nursing graduate and former superintendent-became a symbol of the growing recognition of nursing as a vital and professional field. Today, the building is a National Historic Site of Canada and an important example of early healthcare architecture.

The Museum of Health Care moved into the Ann Baillie Building in 1995 and is Canada’s only museum dedicated entirely to the history of health and healthcare. It also houses the Coalition of Canadian Healthcare Museums and Archives. With approximately 40,000 artifacts and archival documents, the museum boasts one of the largest collections of medical history materials in the country.

From surgical tools and X-ray machines to commemorative items and nursing uniforms, the collection spans major areas such as anesthesiology, cardiology, orthopedics, renal dialysis, patent medicines, and more. Visitors can explore how healthcare has changed over time and how it continues to evolve.

The Museum of Health Care is more than a collection of old instruments-it’s a compelling space where past, present, and future meet to reflect on how we care for ourselves and each other.