The Friends of the Phoebe
Tourism Region: Kingston ON
The Phoebe, a steam launch built in Kingston in 1914, was fully restored to her original condition by the Friends of the Phoebe between 1998 and 2003. She is currently housed at the Pump House Steam Museum.
The mandate of the Friends of the Phoebe is to promote the long-term preservation of the historic steam launch Phoebe and encourage educational programming with the Phoebe as the centerpiece of a high quality Edwardian exhibit
Visit
Location
Address: 477 Aragon RoadGlenburnie, Ontario
K0H 1S0
Telephone: 613-546-4154
Fax: 613-546-4154
Hours of Operation
Operations:
By Appointment •
Seasonal
June to September Phoebe exhibit at Pump House Steam Museum 23 Ontario Street at Kingston ON. Our office is open year round by appointment 613-546-4154 or e-mail at wevers@me.queensu.ca
Open: 10 am to 4 pm
Closed:
Monday
•
Tuesday
Administration fees
Admission:
Charged
Admission is paid to the Pump House Steam Museum.
Discounts:
Groups •
Seniors
About Collections
Artifacts from the restoration of the Phoebe between 1998-2003
Approximate number of objects in the collections: 25
Archives
Photo and historic newspaper clippings, family correspondence, registraion papers
Architectural Records •
Prints and Drawings •
Manuscripts •
Films and Videos •
Photographs
Human History
The lives of Dr. John Brashear and his wife Phoebe in the mid 1800s to the early 1900s with an emphasis on their scientific contributions in astronomy.
Astronomy
•
Marine History and Technology
Services & Activities
Mobile display for community events and a museum based exhibit at the Pump House Steam Museum at Kingston ON
Research Services
Photo records, historic paper clippings, wooden boat restoration
Archival Records •
Conservation or Restoration •
Genealogical Research •
Information Centre
Educational Programs
Lectures and demonstrations by appointment.
Classes or Workshops
•
Demonstrations
•
Lectures
•
School Programs
: Age 0-4 (Pre-School)
: Age 5-11 (k-6)
: Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP)
: Age 18 and up (Post-Secondary)
•
Seniors Programs
Other: Mobile exhibit at community events and schools.
Visitor Services
Visitor services are in conjuction with the Pump House Steam Museum.
Accessible by Public Transportation
•
Washrooms
•
Parking Facilities
: Charged
Volunteer Services
Volunteer Services Available •
Volunteer Training Offered
Number of Volunteers: 15
Activities: Maintenance, exhibit design, newsletter production, resource development.
Member Privileges
Membership to the Friends of the Phoebe is available after 25 hours of volunteer work each year
Food Services
Picnic Area
Internet Services
Collections •
Education •
Children •
Local History
Local Tourism Links
Publications & Products
Newsletter and articles in relevant magazines and journals
Brochures •
CD-ROMS •
Educational kits •
Monographs •
Newsletters •
Postcards •
Posters •
Slides •
Videos
Images
The Phoebe at the Muskoka Wharf in 1910 waiting to pick up guests for the cottage of Dr. Brashear and his wife Phoebe. The boat is approximately two months old in this photo.
For © contact The Friends of the Phoebe. All rights reserved.
The Phoebe beached in Lake Muskoka in 1918; note the formal dress of the guests who are waiting for a shore meal, a typical recreational feature of cottage life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These are the guests of Dr. John Brashear, the first owner of the steam launch Phoebe. The boat was built in Kingston by the Davis Dry Dock Company in 1914. It was a gift from John's friends, among them Andrew Carnegie, the entrepreneur steel magnate and philanthropist.
For © contact The Friends of the Phoebe. All rights reserved.
The Phoebe leaving Confederation Basin in Kingston ON., on its way to the Parade of Boats in Ottawa to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Rideau Canal (1982). In 1984 the Phoebe was left in her boathouse, unattended until 1998 when the Friends of the Phoebe began to restore her. In 2003 the restoration to her 1914 condition was completed, and she remained on display until 2005, when she was put in storage to allow for repair of the eroded lake shore and museum grounds. She is currently back on display for the public to enjoy.
For © contact The Friends of the Phoebe. All rights reserved.
The Phoebe Exhibit Shelter at the Pump House Steam Museum (23 Ontario Street, Kingston, ON) was finished in July of 2008 by a team of students from the Building and Construction Internship Program, of the Limestone District School Board, based at Queen Elizabeth Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Kingston. Twelve students and their teacher, with the help of some volunteers, built the timber framed structure. The Friends of the Phoebe partnered with the City of Kingston and several businesses, and professionals donated in kind. Come and enjoy this magnificent steam boat exhibit.
For © contact The Friends of the Phoebe. All rights reserved.
The steam launch Phoebe is lowered by crane on to the custom designed trailer that the Friends of the Phoebe donated to the City of Kingston, the legal owner of the historic boat. The two people in the foreground are Diane and Howard, long term restoration volunteers and supporters of the Phoebe.
For © contact The Friends of the Phoebe. All rights reserved.
