Museum & Visitor Centre

At the Museum and Visitor Centre, you will discover the story of Prescott, Ontario, as you tour through the thematic displays in our exhibit space, which currently include:

Remembrance Day

Prescott has a long military history that dates to the founding of the town. As Prescott was at a crucial point on the St. Lawrence, it made the town a target of attack to those who wished to take over the St. Lawrence. The original Fort Wellington was built in 1813 and the second in 1838. The 1838 reconstruction is the same structure that still stands today. No attack ever occurred at Fort Wellington; however, the Fort has been called upon to station soldiers on multiple occasions. The most notable being during the Battle of Windmill Point east of Prescott that occurred in November 1838. The Fenian Raids of 1865-1870 would bring forth notable members of the local militia with Prescott’s own Lt. Col. Hamilton D. Jessup who was in command of the No. 1 Prescott Rifles and the entire 56th Batt. that was stationed in Prescott.

Prescott would see a few regiments come and go in the town’s history. The longest serving regiment being the 4th Hussars, who were stationed in Prescott from 1875-1936. In 1894 the regiment was absorbed with the ‘Prescott Troop of Cavalry, Dragoons’, and was referred to as D Squadron from military headquarters in Kingston. When World War I broke out D Squadron of the 4th Hussars were called out for service. During World War I, Fort Wellington would serve as an enlistment and training center for the local area. Sadly, some of these men who enlisted never returned home, with some believed to have lost their lives during the battle of Vimy Ridge. Fort Wellington was classified as a national historic site before the start of World War II and all enlistment and training that the Fort hosted was sent to Kingston and Montreal.

In modern day, Remembrance Day celebrations are held every November 11th at the memorial at Fort Wellington and are hosted by the Prescott Legion.

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

The Roebuck indigenous archaeological site was explored by W. J. Wintemberg, under the general direction of Harland I. Smith, from June 17 to October 28, 1912, and from April 24 to May 20, 1915.

This site covers approximately 8 acres and appears to have been occupied around 1500 A.D. Artifacts found at this site included pottery pieces, tobacco pipe, and wooden beads.
Here at the museum, we have pieces of pottery from this indigenous site.

More information about the Roebuck archaeological site can be found at the Prescott Museum & Visitor Centre.

Located at 202 King Street West. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am - 5pm.

Visit the Prescott Museum & Visitor Centre, open during the following hours:

• Wednesday-Saturday: 11AM-5PM

Located at 202 King Street West, in beautiful downtown Prescott, Ontario, visitors to the museum can tour the 7 themed exhibits and get a taste of some of Prescott's destination retailers within the Visitor Centre, complete with information material and souvenirs to enhance the visitor experience.