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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Tour the S.S. Keewatin 1907 in Port McNicoll





 


The “Friends of Keewatin” is a not for profit charitable foundation that operates this great Canadian Icon as a historical destination.  The official name is The RJ and Diane Peterson Great Lakes Foundation and Keewatin Museum.

The goal of the foundation:
To have the S.S. Keewatin serve as an important Canadian historical icon and to promote the facility as not only a valuable record of the past but a vibrant and living educational entity into the future.
 

Keewatin will contain a museum with adequate research facilities, refurbished accommodations to be viewed and public rooms and lounges. Keewatin will maintain and offer public access to a 10,000 square foot cargo deck for community fundraiser events.

There will be a concerted effort to offer educational programs at the college level for trade apprenticeship candidates, hospitality workers and tourism students. Also an integrated program on Canadian and Maritime history will be offered to elementary schools and high schools utilizing the facilities during the school year.

Finally, tours of the ship will be offered during summer and holiday periods, a retail facility for souvenirs and management of an adjacent park for associated activities.


TOUR GROUPS
·        The 2013 season had its official opening on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Season closes mid-October.
·        Group rates are a donation of $12.00 per person (upper deck and engine room) or $10.00 upper deck only with a single payment made payable to "Friends of Keewatin” for the entire group.

All new developments are featured on the Keewatin blog site www.drone-on.com.  We also have a website at www.sskeewatin.com

Individual Rates (not in tour groups)
·        Adults - $15.00 including tax for the Upper Deck tour and $7.00 including tax for the engine room. Both tours for $20.00.
·        Students - $7.00 including tax for the Upper Deck tour and $4.00 including tax for the engine room tour. Both tours for $10.00.
·        Children under 12 free WITH adults.
Eric Conroy – also known as “Captain Rick”

LOCATION
The Keewatin’s location off Highway 12 is just 8 kilometres from Highway 400 and 20 minutes north of Barrie.  We have parking for 300 cars and can accommodate drop offs of passengers from coaches at the gang plank with adjacent parking for coaches.  We have full washroom facilities located near the ship and a well-appointed gift shop which carries all locally acquired products and items.  Our site is located at the bottom of Talbot Street on the right hand side.  A map is shown elsewhere in this email.

WHERE ARE WE LOCATED
You can click on the link below and view a map.  You will notice a circle with “Tay” beside it – that is the exit from Highway 12 into Port McNicoll – watch for the signs.  Proceed into Port McNicoll and The S. S. Keewatin is located at the very bottom of the hill (Talbot Street) on the right side moored at the dock on Georgian Bay. From Barrie – take Hwy 93 north to sign for Hwy 12 (Orillia).  Watch for exit just after Ste. Marie Among the Hurons, Wye Marsh and Martyrs Shrine – exit to the left just after Ogden’s Beach Road (which has traffic signals) to Port McNicoll.


LUNCH
There is also an excellent restaurant nearby which can accommodate motor coaches. The information about Marina’s and their menu will be sent to you with this email so you can make reservations.  Be sure to make your tour reservation first!  


We also can arrange afternoon tea or lunch at Bonar Presbyterian Church.  I have attached contact information for Marina’s and also lunch options at Bonar Presbyterian Church.  I can also make other suggestions in Victoria Harbour (Quarterdeck) and Henry’s Fish & Seaford at Doral Marina.  Just let me know!

 OUR VOLUNTEERS
There is an all-volunteer crew of 150, some of whom are retired crew (or relatives) from the CPR fleet which sailed from the port.  There are some students and the rest are area residents with a love of history.  We are in the process of building a yacht club facility next door which includes a restaurant comprised of retired CPR dining coaches by 2014.

OUR TOURS
A visit is comprised of two tours.  An upper deck tour takes about 60 minutes and under the guidance of our well trained tour guides takes visitors through the two main decks where they see the dining room, kitchens, ladies smoking lounge, the crew quarters, state rooms, Flower Pot Lounge, bar and ballroom.  It is followed by visits to the Captains Quarters and a radio museum featuring a working wireless and all-weather radar.

The second tour is optional and takes 30 minutes and is comprised of the grain holds, coal bunkers, Scotch Boilers and a working 3200 horsepower quadruple expansion steam engine similar to what was on the Titanic and the last one in the world in existence. The group rate of $12.00 covers both tours.

The ship will be permanently docked with a mooring site and a park on lease for 99 years from Tay Township in the village of Port McNicoll – almost on the spot where it tied up to collect and disembark passengers years ago.


Contact Information:
Kathy Elliott, Tour Information and Booking            Eric Conroy,
kathy1234@sympatico.ca                                       ericconroy@sskeewatin.com
705 549-0482
311 Talbot Street, PO Box 189
Port McNicoll, Ontario L0K 1R0, ON                                                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7vntOxOgc

Website:              www.sskeewatin.com
Capt. Rick's Blog                www.drone-on.com
 

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