School Guide Focuses On City's History

With the kind assistance of the Kingston Historical Society, the Kingston First Capital committee has launched a landmark project for Grades 7 and 8 students: Discover the Kingston of 1841 in the Kingston of today.

The original guide, Kingston First Capital, jointly produced by the Limestone District Board and the Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board in 1999 has been revised to incorporate critical thinking and literacy techniques.

With a combination of field trip activities and in-class projects, the Guide focuses on the Kingston of 1841 when the city was designated Canada's first capital.

"This is an achievement of major significance for the teaching of Canada's history in our elementary schools," Dr. Margaret Angus, author and historian, said.

"It has been truly said that we cannot understand our present if we do not know our past and I am delighted that such an important contribution to the appreciation of our country's history coincides with Kingston's First Capital celebrations," Dr. Angus said. "This city has contributed significantly to the development of our country's government and our First Capital celebrations properly mark that contribution."

CD's of the new guide will soon be distributed by the local school boards to all of their elementary schools. The guide can also be downloaded from this web site.

For more information on the Discover the Kingston of 1841 in the Kingston of today school curriculum contact: City of Kingston Communications - 613-546-4291 extension 1380

The Kingston Historical Society can be reached at:

Kingston Historical Society
P.O. Box 54
Kingston, ON    K7L 4V6
Phone: (613) 544-9925

Visit the Historical Society's Web site.