Work on one of Kingston’s historic limestone landmarks continues.
Murney Tower is the first of three Martello Towers to get a modern-day facelift.
The work, according to Parks Canada, will preserve the cultural resource for generations to come.
Murney Tower is part of the Kingston Fortifications and age and weather have taken their toll. The rehabilitation includes a full masonry restoration of the tower walls and the moat walls.
“Murney Tower is the highest traffic of the Kingston Fortification sites other than Fort Henry,” said Hugh Ostrom from Parks Canada. “So, it was our priority site to invest in from the get-go and make sure that this site is as good as it can be for the public.”
WATCH: Face lift for Kingston’s Murney Tower
The Federal government spent close to $10 million on Parks Canada locations in Kingston and the surrounding area back in 2016.
Parks Canada historian Bob Garcia says Alexander Mackenzie, Canada’s second prime minister, has a construction connection to the fortifications.
“Alexander Mackenzie immigrated to British North America in 1842 and in 1843 he did his first work on the Kingston Fortifications when he was in charge of a work crew at Fort Henry.”
WATCH: Funding for historic tower overlooking Saint John harbour
Garcia says besides work at Fort Henry, Mackenzie oversaw the construction of Cathcart Tower, which is located on Cedar Island across from the fort. Built in 1846, it is one of four Martello Towers.
The restoration began last September after the museum which is located inside closed and is scheduled to take between six and eight months. Parks Canada officials say Murney Tower should be ready to open to the public on the Victoria Day weekend.
Ostorm says next up is Cathcart and then Shoal Towers, but that’s down the line.