Community groups are invited to share their stories in exhibit space at City Hall

As part of the City of Kingston's Your Stories, Our Histories (YSOH) program, community organizations are encouraged to tell their stories in their own words in free exhibit spaces at City Hall. Community exhibits within the program — now entering its third year — feature stories of the people, events or groups that have shaped Kingston.

“Your Stories, Our Histories exhibits offer an impactful way to amplify community voices,” says Melissa Cruise, City Curator. “Over the past two years, we’ve worked with community groups and organizations to celebrate and preserve local stories rooted in art, music, nature, sport, culture and resilience. We look forward to featuring even more stories following this next round of applications.”

Each one-year, temporary exhibit offers space for written stories, photos, mementos and small items that help tell an organization’s story. This year’s exhibits include stories from Joe’s Music Mill, Kingston's role in the 1976 Olympic Games, Limestone Beekeepers’ Guild, Kingston’s Drag community, and the Chinese Canadian Association of Kingston & District.

Your Stories, Our Histories started as a public engagement process in 2018 to address the legacy of Sir John A. Macdonald and foster community discussions about how and by whom Kingston's stories are told. The program evolved in 2024 to offer free exhibit space in niche cases at City Hall for the community to tell their stories.

YSOH community exhibits are connected to a priority in Kingston's Strategic Plan to drive inclusive economic growth by fostering culture, history, education, arts and recreation.

Apply for an exhibit space

Submit your application on Get Involved Kingston. City staff will review applications on a rolling basis.

A general theme, story or message is required for the application but exhibit text does not need to be finalized to apply. Applicants will work with City curators to develop the final materials and install the exhibits in spring 2027. The final exhibit texts are posted in English and French, with free translation service provided by the City.