Historic steamliner SS Keewatin wins top U.S. award after Kingston relaunch

Members of the Great Lakes Museum received the award in a ceremony on Saturday.

The SS Keewatin, a 1907-built Edwardian steamliner now docked in Kingston, has been named Museum Ship of the Year by the Steamship Historical Society of America.

Reopened to the public in May 2024, the historic vessel was acquired by the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in 2023 after years in Michigan. Volunteers helped restore the ship, which once carried passengers between Port McNicoll and Thunder Bay for more than six decades before it was retired in 1965.

Executive Director of the Great Lakes Museum, Bep Schippers expressed her gratitude for volunteers and staff that were recognized for their efforts in saving the ship from the scrapyard and restoring it.

The award honours the Keewatin’s long service on the Great Lakes and its role in preserving maritime history. President of SSHSA, Patrick Dacey explains why preserving ships like this is important.

MPP, Ted Hsu explains what it means for Kingston to receive this type of award.

The honour places the SS Keewatin among North America’s most celebrated historic ships and marks a proud moment for Kingston, now home to one of Canada’s most important maritime treasures.

Story by Alyssa Brush