Murney Tower/Gaskin The Lion

Murney Tower Redoubt, constructed in 1846 as a strategic response to the Oregon Crisis, stands as a testament to Canadian military history in Kingston. Unlike traditional Martello Towers, it features a roof designed to withstand harsh Canadian winters and housed a 32-pounder Blomefield cannon on its gun platform. Despite never seeing combat, the tower served various military functions before being abandoned in 1885. However, tragedy struck in 1921, leading to its transformation into the Murney Tower Museum in 1925. Recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada since 1930, Murney Tower remains an integral part of the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site and the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site.

Meanwhile, in Macdonald Park, the Gaskin Lion has undergone a subtle yet powerful transformation. Adorned with a fabric necklace of sunflowers, it symbolizes solidarity with Ukraine amid its struggles. This gesture, initiated by the Ukrainian Club of Kingston, reflects the significance of sunflowers as Ukraine's national flower. The lion, historically representing the British Empire, also holds a Ukrainian connection, restored in 2010 by the Ukrainian Canadian Club of Kingston, marking a celebration of 100 years of Ukrainian settlement in the city. With origins dating back to 1909, when it was donated by the family of Mayor John Gaskin, the lion now stands as a symbol of Kingston's past, multicultural heritage, and support for global democracy and freedom.