Portsmouth Village
HISTORY
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The heritage plaque in Aberdeen Park, Portsmouth Village. |
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Town Hall, Portsmouth Village. |
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Triangular Garden, Portsmouth Village |
Originally part of Kingston Township, this area was granted to United Empire Loyalists in 1784.
A village first known as "Hatter's Bay" grew in response to the establishment of the provincial penitentiary in 1833, and was formally incorporated in 1858. King Street West was extended across a bay south of here in 1845. A stone town hall, designed by William Coverdale, was erected on the reclaimed land in 1865. This common was named Aberdeen Park by 1900.
Villagers worked in tanneries, breweries, shipyards, sawmills, as well as the penitentiary and nearby asylum, but economic opportunities declined in the late 19th century. The village was annexed by the city of Kingston in 1952.
Many interesting early stone, brick, and frame buildings have survived in this area.
Source: heritage plaque, erected in 1999 by the Kingston Historical Society with the assistance of the Ontario Heritage Foundation & the Portsmouth Villages.
Portsmouth Villagers Association
MISSION STATEMENT
The Portsmouth Villagers Association (PVA) is committed to:
- Preserving the historical background of Portsmouth Village
- Increasing the visibility of the village as a Heritage Area
- Working with the City of Kingston, politically and financially to achieve mutually sustaining community which contributes to the storical significance of the Kingston area
MILLENNIUM PROJECTS:
- Street Lights along King Street
- Street Signs in Historic District
CONTACT
Portsmouth Villagers Association
Jim Cannon, President
E-mail: cannonj@post.queensu.ca
