Queen's Tour Guides

Welcome to the official guided audio tour of Queen's University Main and West campuses presented by the Queen's Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Team in collaboration with the Queen's Campus Tours Program. This audio tour can be used while walking through campus, or while sitting at home! If using as a walking tour, the clips will play automatically once you reach the building. If you are using at home, you will have to select each stop and listen at your own time. Enjoy!

Thank you to all of those who made this tour possible:

CFRC

Recording and sound editing: Megan McIntyre

Photography: DoubleSpace Photography, Tia Wilson, Garrett Elliott, Kingston Drone Pros

Background tracks: Aidan Mcgrath, Duncan Stuart, Hailey Leslie, Kaiwen Want, Liam Terry, Matthew Wark, Maxwell Keleher, Megan McIntyre, Nicholas Sanatamaura, Taylor Hill, Victoria Wang, Will Tracy, Yufu She, Yujie Liu

Speakers: Queen's Tour Guides

TRANSCRIPT:

Welcome to Queen’s University! We hope you enjoy this self-guided tour of our main and west campuses. The tour begins on Main Campus, which was established in 1841. It beautifully reflects both our 179-year-old traditions and current life at Queen’s. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Queen’s Campus Tours office at tours@queensu.ca. Enjoy the tour!  
 
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather at Queen’s Campus is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We are grateful to live, learn and play on these lands. 
 
COVID-19: Please be mindful of all COVID-19 health and safety practices during your visit to campus and Kingston as a whole. Be sure to wash your hands, keep six feet apart from people outside your bubble, and wear masks when possible. Please note that due to COVID-19 most of our buildings are closed, so we encourage you to view them from the outside. Usually, campus has a very lively feel to it, as Queen’s spirit is unmatched. Of course, with most programs running remotely for safety precautions the campus is much emptier. For more information, please visit https://www.queensu.ca/covidinfo.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Constructed in 1892, this red-brick structure served for 100 years as Kingston’s largest elementary school. After undergoing extensive renovations and addition, the newly renamed Goodes Hall opened in 2002 as the new home of the School of Business. The facility is named after Mary and Cedric Goodes, parents of benefactor Melvin Goodes (Com ’57). 
 
Fun Facts 
Though the building is equipped with state-of-the-art information technology systems and architecture, much of the original heritage has been preserved. Original schoolhouse chalkboards and memorabilia can be found on display in the building!  
 
Academics and Student Life 
The 188,000 square foot facility includes a large central atrium, 16 classrooms, 20 meetings rooms as well as faculty and administrative offices. Goodes Hall features modern classrooms, lecture theatres and breakout rooms with extensive technology systems. The Smith School of Business values lively interaction with professors in small class settings, extra-curricular opportunities and many study abroad opportunities. 
 
Accessibility: There is a ramp to the main doors, which are also accessible. The main floor is accessible and there is an elevator in the main level. There is an accessible washroom on every floor.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Opened in 1994, the five-story Joseph S. Stauffer library is the largest of six libraries on campus and is named in honour of Joseph. S Stauffer, a graduate of Queen’s (BSc 1920) and a generous benefactor.  
 
Fun Facts 
In addition to state-of-the-art information and computing services, the building houses the Union Gallery which showcases contemporary visual art. The first floor is meant to be an interactive space where students can meet and work together; quiet study areas are available on the upper levels.  
 
Academics and Student Life 
This facility houses collections in the humanities, social sciences, fine arts, government documents, maps and air photos. Stauffer library provides study space for up to 1,400 students, including several bookable group study rooms. There are several academic resources on the first floor including: 
•	The Writing Centre 
•	Student Academic Success Services  
•	IT Services Help Desk 
•	Learning Strategies Development 
•	Adaptive Technology Centre 
•	Library Reference Desk 
 
Students may book up to 10 one-on-one sessions in the Writing Centre each year to help with their writing process, punctuation, grammar, referencing and more. Students can also partake in workshops, one-on-one consultants, and peer mentoring through Student Academic Success Services to further develop their skills. The Adaptive Technology Centre offers library services for students with disabilities, such as research assistance or alternate formats for course materials.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Dunning Hall was built in 1960 and originally housed the departments of Economics, Political Science, Geography and Sociology, as well as the School of Industrial relations and the old School of Commerce. 
 
Fun Facts 
When Mackintosh-Corry Hall was completed in 1973, a walkway was built to connect the two buildings. An underground tunnel connects Dunning Hall to Macdonald Hall. The building is named after politician and former Chancellor of Queen’s, Charles Avery Dunning. 
 
Academics and Student Life 
Dunning Hall is home to the Faculty of Arts and Science and many first-year students will find their lecture halls here. Dunning Auditorium seats 425 people and regularly holds public lectures and large classes.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Commonly referred to as the JDUC, the centre is located on the site of Kingston’s old Orphan’s home which was constructed in 1862. The building was purchased by the University in 1927 to serve as the Students’ Memorial Union, named in commemoration of students who died during the First World War.  
 
Fun Facts 
The JDUC is home to the Queen’s student government, called the Alma Mater Society (AMS). Founded in 1858, the AMS is the oldest student association in Canada and is entirely student-run.  
 
Academics and Student Life 
The AMS provides many extra-curricular opportunities, sanctions over 300+ clubs, offers over 500 paid positions for students and 1000+ volunteer opportunities. The JDUC houses a number of AMS services, including: P&CC (printer and copy shop), Tricolour Outlet (Clothing, School supplies, Bus Service and Event tickets), Walkhome (our student led safe walks program) and the Queen’s Pub. Other services include a hair styling salon, bank machines and gender-neutral washrooms. An exciting revitalization project was conditionally approved in 2019 for the JDUC by the University in partnership with the AMS.  
 
Accessibility: The main entrance is not accessible, though there is an accessible entrance off University Avenue. The elevator is located in the hallway near the Society for Graduate and Professional Students (by the Union Street doors). There are accessible washrooms on the ground floor and level 1.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
The Queen’s Center opened officially on January 15th, 2010 and has become the focus for cultural, social, and recreational activities on campus. 
 
Fun Facts 
Membership fees to the ARC and some fitness programs are included in student fees!  
 
Academics and Student Life 
The Queen’s Centre is split into two parts – a student life centre and the Athletics & Recreation Centre (ARC).  The main feature of the ARC is a gymnasium that can be converted into either basketball or volleyball courts and includes seating for up to 2,000 people. Other areas within the facility include: 
•	Two upper gymnasiums 
•	8 squash courts  
•	2 multipurpose courts 
•	5 fitness and weight zones 
•	Dance studios 
•	Spaces for cardio classes 
•	38 x 25 metre pool with 12 swim lanes, 3 diving boards, and a wet classroom 
  
The student life area of the Queen’s Centre houses the student-run Common Ground Coffeehouse, a Fireside lounge, a food court (Tim Horton’s, Booster Juice, Teriyaki Experience, PitaPit and Pizza Pizza), and plenty of student club, meeting, and study space. There are also several retail spaces in the Queen’s Centre including the drugSmart pharmacy and the Grocery Checkout.

Queen's Centre & Athletics and Recreation Centre

Queen's Centre & Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC)

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Formerly the Physical Education Centre, which was opened in 1931, Mitchell Hall is now the newest building on campus having been completely renovated and reopened in December 2018.  
 
Fun Facts 
There is an underground tunnel that connects Mitchell Hall to the Athletics and Recreation Centre which was originally used for the ice cleaner at the former Jock Harty Arena.  
 
Academics and Student Life 
Mitchell Hall is the place where every aspect of campus life intersects. The building has a profound and meaningful impact on the entrepreneurial ambitions of Queen’s students, on their overall health and well-being, and on university research. Some of the many student services housed inside Mitchell Hall include: 
•	Student Wellness Services - works to provide a welcoming, confidential, and integrated service that is responsive to student health, wellness, and accessibility needs 
•	Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre - organizes programs, services, and resources to students to support their innovation and entrepreneurship activities 
•	SparQ Studios - a makerspace and design studio that provides a wide range of tools, machinery, knowledge, and expertise so that you can bring your idea into a physical form 
•	Queen’s University International Centre - a support service for all members of the Queen’s community and through its activities promotes an internationally informed and cross-culturally sensitive learning environment 
•	Other student services featured include a multi-faith Chaplaincy, off-campus housing office, the Beaty Water research Lab, exam spaces, retail food, lounge spaces and more

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
This state-of-the-art building, which opened in 2004, is a living textbook and home to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. In 2005 it was selected as one of the most environmentally advanced buildings in Canada.  

Fun Facts 
Innovation and entrepreneurship are in abundance at Queen's. Started by engineering students, and located here in the ILC, the Tea Room is a prime example. Founded on three pillars—environmental responsibility, community education, and fiscal sustainability—The Tea Room produces zero consumer waste and is carbon neutral. 

Academics and Student Life 
In keeping with the integrated learning component for engineering students, this 'live building' serves as a resource to broaden awareness of green building design and environmental sustainability. The facility itself is instrumented as a working laboratory – where students can see structural elements of the building that are usually hidden and monitor systems like air quality, heating, lighting, and cooling using specially designed software – showing how sustainable practices can be incorporated into building design. It also boasts a design studio and a prototyping centre, group rooms, a multimedia facility, a site investigation facility, active learning centre and plazas or lab facilities. The ILC is also the home of the Engineering Society and is very student-focused with many spaces for clubs and group meetings. 
  
Accessibility
The main entrance is accessible and there is an elevator through the lobby and to the left (look for the exposed elevator shaft). There are accessible washrooms on each floor.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Clark Hall was opened in 1951 and is the home to both the Campus Bookstore and various student clubs and organizations. A campus bookstore was established in 1909 by two engineering students who wanted to provide inexpensive drafting supplies and textbooks for Engineering students. The building is named in honour of Arthur Lewis Clark, Dean of Applied Science from 1919 until 1943. 
 
Fun Facts 
The Campus Bookstore is managed by the Queen’s University Engineering Society Services Inc., a notfor-profit student corporation, making it the only successful student-owned and operated campus bookstore in Canada. Most of the books are offered at a discount below list price. 
 
Academics and Student Life 
The bookstore maintains a stock of all required textbooks for courses in the university along with a wide range of popular reference books and other academic supplies. Clark Hall Pub, the oldest of the student pubs, is located on the top floor and is also run by the Engineering Society. 
 
Accessibility: Both the east and west entrances (to the main Campus Bookstore part) are accessible. There is an elevator near the Customer Service desk.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Carruthers Hall is the 4th oldest building on campus and was built in 1890. The building was originally occupied by the Ontario School of Mining and Agriculture, which later became the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.  
 
Fun Facts 
Carruthers Hall was the first building in Kingston to be fitted with electrical wiring, which was installed by Professor Goodwin. 
 
Academics and Student Life 
Today, there are research and administrative facilities in this building, a studio theatre used by the Drama Department and the studios of CFRC Queen’s Radio 101.9FM.  CFRC first went on the air in 1922 and is Canada’s oldest continually broadcasting radio station.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Opened in 1997, the BioSciences Complex houses the Department of Biology, PARTEQ and various other science and technology-oriented departments. The complex incorporates the old biology building, Earl Hall, which was originally opened in 1966. 
 
Academics and Student Life 
The BioSciences Complex is a 53,000 square foot facility which includes: 
•	Specialized research laboratories 
•	A phytotron (a state-of-the-art facility for plant growth) 
•	Special natural habitats for animals used in biological research 
•	Teaching space including a 450-seat lecture theatre and 20 teaching laboratories 
•	Public spaces such as the atrium and full-service Tim Horton’s  

Accessibility: The main (Arch Street) entrance is accessible, as is the Barrie Street entrance. There are three elevators, though the best are those at the southeast and northeast corners of the complex.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Completed in 1969, the Cataraqui building is one of two buildings at Queen’s named after waterways in the Kingston region; the other being the Rideau building.  
 
Academics and Student Life 
Queen’s School of Nursing began offering nursing courses in 1941 and has occupied the Cataraqui building since 1982. There is a Clinical Education Centre where Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapy and Medical students can practice their skills on volunteer patients. There is also a health simulation lab where Nursing students can practice skills and procedures on computerized mannequins.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
The Queen’s School of Medicine building was opened in September 2011. 
 
Fun Facts 
Queen’s Department of Medicine traces its origins to the beginning of the Faculty of Medicine in 1854.  
 
Academics and Student Life 
The expanded facilities of the new School of Medicine enhance the education of our students and ultimately provide our region, province, and country with greater access to doctors. The new facility hosts a state-of-the-art teaching clinic, lecture halls and large teaching spaces, simulation labs, surgical/technical skills labs, small-group and seminar rooms, info-commons and virtual learning spaces, and student study spaces.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Summerhill, completed in 1839, is the oldest building on the Queen’s campus and was built by local Anglican Archdeacon George Okill Stuart. The building was sold to Queen’s in 1853 which had been moving between rented houses since its founding in 1841. It originally housed the entire university, and since then has had many uses such as serving as the Principal’s official residence for a period of time. At different times in its history it has housed students, professors, classrooms, laboratories, the medical school, a gymnasium of sorts, and the library, which dispensed the requested books through an outside window. 
 
Fun Facts 
Some famous visitors to Summerhill include Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (1984) along with Princess Diana and Prince Charles (1991). 
 
Academics and Student Life 
Today Summerhill houses the departments of Alumni Affairs and Development and the east wing is used for receptions and accommodation for special guests of the university.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Theological Hall, constructed in 1879-1880, is the third oldest building on campus. Upon first construction, the building was referred to as “The College” by students and faculty, regularly holding major ceremonies in its ornate Convocation Hall. The building was dubbed Theological Hall in 1912 when Queen’s Theological College was established, and the university separated from the Presbyterian Church. The west end of the building was once the universities’ library until the early 1900, later becoming the medical library until the construction of Botterell Hall.  
 
Fun Facts 
The second floor houses the Morgan Memorial Chapel, named after the late theology professor William Morgan. The chapel regularly holds services and hundreds of alumni have been married there.  
 
Academics and Student Life 
The Norman Romanesque structure was the university's main building throughout the late 19th century. Today, the old library and Convocation Hall are theaters where the School of Drama regularly holds productions.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Grant Hall, consisting of the main building, concert hall and clocktower, was completed in 1905. The building is named after Queen’s Principal, George Monro Grant, a national figure who gave Queen’s, for the first time, a national mission and profile. During the First World War Grant Hall was used as a military hospital and was used as an entertainment center for troops during the Second World War. Queen’s students raised the necessary funds to build Grant Hall over the winter of 1901-1902. One third of the money raised came from the students themselves. 
 
Fun Facts 
After years of unreliable service, the original clock was replaced in 1993 with an electrical mechanism, paid for by the students. The old clock mechanism is on display in Stirling Hall.  
  
Academics and Student Life 
The hall seats 900 people and is used for public lectures and meetings, concerts, convocation ceremonies, dances and exams. Grant Hall has been used for opening ceremonies during orientation for the first-year students, such as The Tamming Ceremony, as well as major events like Science Formal for the 4th year Engineering and Applied Science students.

TRANSCRIPT:

Queen’s has 17 residence buildings, each one with its own charm to it. The oldest building (Ban Righ) was built in 1925 and the newest buildings (Brant and Smith) were built in 2015. Each floor in a residence building has a ‘Don’, who is an upper year student that acts as a resource for students. All first-year students living in residence receive a meal plan which includes 19 meals per week, 200 Trade a Meals (TAM) and 150 Flex $. Meals are used at the on-campus dining halls and are all-you-care-to-eat. Trade a Meals and flex $ can be used at any of the 23 retail location on campus. Trade a Meals allow you to trade one of your 19 dining hall meals for a designated Trade a Meal specials in retail and flex $ are on top of your 19 meals. The Residence Society also offers many services from counselling to social events.

TRANSCRIPT:

Queen’s University has a well-developed security system. Queen’s Campus Security can be reached 24/7 by phone and by a free app, which can be downloaded using the campus WIFI. Another safety feature on campus is the blue light system. There are streetlights with blue lights stretched all across main campus, west campus, and in between. You should be able to see two blue lights from any standpoint. These streetlights have a button on them that contacts Queen’s Campus Security directly. Furthermore, the Queen’s student government runs Walkhome, a friendly, free, and confidential service which provides safety to students as they walk home at night.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
In 1994, Queen's was awarded a grant by the Ontario government under the Aboriginal Education and 
Training Strategy. This donation went towards the creation of the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre (FDISC), which opened in 1996. In 2000 the center was moved to its current location at 146 Barrie Street and was renovated in 2018 to include 144 Barrie Street, doubling its size.  
 
Fun Facts 
The centre often holds events for students and community members centred around Indigenous teachings and traditions such as sacred fire, drumming, language classes and more.  
 
Academics and Student Life 
Since its creation FDISC has acted as a home away from home for Indigenous students; offering support services, feasts, social, and cultural activities. As the primarily recognizably indigenous space on-campus many campus partners, staff, and faculty rely on the FDISC to provide them services such as research assistance, teaching support, classroom presentations, outreach to community and committee work and participation. The centre has an extensive Indigenous Resource Library.

Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
“The Isabel” was opened in 2014 and is the central hub for creative arts at Queen’s. Right next to the Lake Ontario shore, this building used to be an old brewery. Since then, it has been rebuilt to a new world-class facility. The original wood from the structure of the brewery was re-milled and used to build the lobby of the new building. 

Fun Facts 
If the Isabel can be said to have a heart, it is the 567-seat performance hall. Virtually a building within a building, no part of the hall touches the rest of the structure directly and its two-foot-thick walls so effectively muffles sound that even if someone outside the hall were pounding on the floor with a hammer, the audience inside wouldn’t hear it. 
 
Academics and Student Life 
The building features the Jennifer Velva Bernstein Performance Hall, a studio theatre, film screening room, an Art and Media Lab and the Principal Emerita Karen Hitchcock Rehearsal Hall. As the centre for all creative arts at Queen’s, you can find students from the Dan School of Drama and Music, Department of Film and Media, Bachelor of Fine Art Program and the Graduate Program working, studying and hanging out at the Isabel. Within the building there is also a film and media library and a musical instrument library. Aside from academics, the beautiful spaces are also used for concerts, conferences, and theatrical performances.

The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
Duncan McArthur Hall is home for the Faculty of Education and was opened in 1971. It is located on West Campus, which is about a twenty-minute walk from the Main Campus. Before West Campus was purchased by Queen’s in 1969, the land used to hold a farm and stone quarry which were staffed by the Kingston Penitentiary inmates.  

Fun Facts 
The Education Library has one of the best views of Lake Ontario from any Queen’s building. You can also check out resources from the library that are useful for educational practicums, such as puppets! The building is home to a dinosaur statue Tracie, which now wears a mask.  
 
Academics and Student Life 
Duncan McArthur Hall features one of the largest of Queen’s lecture halls, the Education Library, classrooms, labs, technical shops and offices for the Education faculty. There are many interactive spaces such as its very own garden and Student Street Express café.

TRANSCRIPT:

Jean Royce Hall was built in 1974 and is one of the largest residence buildings for Queen’s students.  It is named after Jean Royce, Queen’s longest-serving Registrar of 36 years! 

Academics and Student Life 
Jean Royce Hall offers a mixed-gender accommodation floors, with both single and double rooms. It has its own Dining Hall, a late-night café, a movie screening room and a games room. As every residence building, it includes washrooms, laundry, and wireless internet. There is also direct access to the Duncan McArthur Hall and a bus stop right outside the building.

TRANSCRIPT:

History 
The original Richardson Stadium was built in 1920 on Main Campus. It was named after James Armstrong Richardson, Queen’s Chancellor from 1929-1939. In 1971, the stadium was torn town and rebuilt on West Campus.  In 2016, the stadium underwent extensive revitalization and was entirely rebuilt a for a second time. 

Fun Facts 
The original Richardson Stadium was used to host the Grey Cup in the 1920s! It also hosted U.S. 
President Franklin Roosevelt when he received his honorary degree from Queen’s University in 1938. 
 
Academics and Student Life 
The Stadium hosts a number of sporting events. Most notably, it features the Homecoming Football Game and Alumni parade each year in October.

Audio Tour of Queen's University Campus - Kingston

Audio Tour of Queen's University Campus - Kingston

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The Echoes

Introduction and Welcome

Goodes Hall - Smith School of Business

Stauffer Library

Dunning Hall

John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC)

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Audio Tour of Queen's University Campus - Kingston

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DOWNLOAD OUR APP TO DISCOVER THIS TOUR AND MANY OTHERS.

The Echoes

Introduction and Welcome

Goodes Hall - Smith School of Business

Stauffer Library

Dunning Hall

John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC)

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Are you a creator?

Get in touch

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About us

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