Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum
Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum
Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
160 reviews
Excellent
125
Very good
25
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
1
PhotoDudeIII
Toronto, Canada125 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Tucked away in the corner of the village of Queenston is a small but very interesting museum. The purpose of the museum is two-fold: a history of William Lyon Mackenzie, who published his anti-establishment newspaper here for a short time before moving to Toronto (and getting into lots of trouble), and the history of printing press. Both are dealt with well. The history of the printing press, with vintage machines, is demonstrated up to the modern age. The tour guide gives a detailed account of how they worked, and the changes in technology that allowed going from 200 copies to 200,000 copies or more. It gives you an appreciation on how hard it was to produce something we take for granted. If you're into historical museums, this won't disappoint.
Written August 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara P
Buffalo NY582 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
My boyfriend and I won a packet of vouchers for activities in the Buffalo and Niagara region a few months ago, and we decided to take the drive up from our home in Buffalo to Niagara on the Lake to take advantage of the vouchers we won from the Niagara Parks.
Our first stop was the MacKenzie Printery. I wasn't expecting much, but it was free, so why not? There was no one else there when we came in, so we had a private tour! I can't remember our tour guides name, but he was a young man with brown hair and he was great, very informative. He started telling us a little bit of history about William Lyon Mackenzie, the reason for the museum, and the past owner of the home. We learned about old fashioned printing and methods used throughout the years, He took us over to a printing press from the 1800's and show us how to use the letters to make our names. He put them into a document they had arranged and we got to "print" our own poster with our names on it.
He then took us to the back room and showed us many different printing presses throughout the years. We got to make a bookmark on one of the working ones.
Overall it was a great tour. It lasted about 45 minutes, and I learned a lot about printing. It really makes you appreciate modern computers and printers! I definitely recommend this if you're in the area.
Our first stop was the MacKenzie Printery. I wasn't expecting much, but it was free, so why not? There was no one else there when we came in, so we had a private tour! I can't remember our tour guides name, but he was a young man with brown hair and he was great, very informative. He started telling us a little bit of history about William Lyon Mackenzie, the reason for the museum, and the past owner of the home. We learned about old fashioned printing and methods used throughout the years, He took us over to a printing press from the 1800's and show us how to use the letters to make our names. He put them into a document they had arranged and we got to "print" our own poster with our names on it.
He then took us to the back room and showed us many different printing presses throughout the years. We got to make a bookmark on one of the working ones.
Overall it was a great tour. It lasted about 45 minutes, and I learned a lot about printing. It really makes you appreciate modern computers and printers! I definitely recommend this if you're in the area.
Written July 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travellingcanuck2012
Toronto, Canada71 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We were bicycling today and ran out of breath in front of this fantastic place of history! I am so glad we went in.
This was briefly the home of William Lyon Mackenzie who started the first non-government newspaper in Upper Canada. His reporting of government corruption lead to significant changes brought about by the Durham Report. He was also the grandfather of William Lyon Mackenzie King.
The printing presses in this small museum have historical significance. The knowledge shared during our tour was really well presented by out very knowledgeable guide.
Well worth a visit both from a Canadian historical perspective and for learning about how printing was originally done.
An excellent stopping point if you are ascending or descending Queenston Heights!
This was briefly the home of William Lyon Mackenzie who started the first non-government newspaper in Upper Canada. His reporting of government corruption lead to significant changes brought about by the Durham Report. He was also the grandfather of William Lyon Mackenzie King.
The printing presses in this small museum have historical significance. The knowledge shared during our tour was really well presented by out very knowledgeable guide.
Well worth a visit both from a Canadian historical perspective and for learning about how printing was originally done.
An excellent stopping point if you are ascending or descending Queenston Heights!
Written July 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
synToronto
Toronto, Canada1,444 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This museum is small but worth a quick stop to learn about some history and to also try some old printing techniques.
Fee: There is a small fee per person which includes a tour (just one floor) but it is more interesting than walking around yourself.
Staff: Very friendly and knowledgeable. They look like students so I assume they appreciate your visit.
Time: Not a lot of time required because it is a small museum.
Other: They have a one person washroom that guests can use and they have air conditioning.
Overall: We were glad to stop here for a quick break and tour.
Fee: There is a small fee per person which includes a tour (just one floor) but it is more interesting than walking around yourself.
Staff: Very friendly and knowledgeable. They look like students so I assume they appreciate your visit.
Time: Not a lot of time required because it is a small museum.
Other: They have a one person washroom that guests can use and they have air conditioning.
Overall: We were glad to stop here for a quick break and tour.
Written August 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CrystallAmber
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada93 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
For such a small museum it sure packs a lot of information and hands-on experiences. The staff is very informative goes through with you and one-on-one explains everything you see and how it works.
Written October 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gla_Rangers
British Columbia, Canada1,204 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Our guide was Heather and she was excellent. No sooner had we walked in the door and she met us, taking our passes. Then announced she was out tour guide, just for the 2 of us. Her knowledge is excellent and she kept us interested for well over an hour. Would never have thought we would spend almost 2 hours in a print museum.
She walks you through the entire house, explains the history and the function of each piece of equipment. You even get to type-set your name and she prints a sheet.
She walks you through the entire house, explains the history and the function of each piece of equipment. You even get to type-set your name and she prints a sheet.
Written August 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray R
Newtown, PA38 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
I visited in July 2014 with my rather large family. Never would've found it except that it was part of the Niagara Heritage trail pass.
Unless you're already a seasoned newspaper veteran (we were not), you'll be amazed by just how complicated a printing machine could be quite a long time ago.
The tour is very family-friendly - my four kids all got to make out their name on printing blocks and take back a souvenir print. The guides love questions... even from younger kids.
Don't worry - your children won't be bored getting a little bit of history. Neither will you.
Unless you're already a seasoned newspaper veteran (we were not), you'll be amazed by just how complicated a printing machine could be quite a long time ago.
The tour is very family-friendly - my four kids all got to make out their name on printing blocks and take back a souvenir print. The guides love questions... even from younger kids.
Don't worry - your children won't be bored getting a little bit of history. Neither will you.
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alba B
Annandale, NJ19 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Learn about the "birthplace" of Canadian Independence from Britain, and also the history of printing. This is a great little museum, and should not be passed up, as you will learn a wealth of information from the very knowledgeable staff.
Written October 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller1967Ottawa
Ottawa7 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Visited this museum as we had purchased the Niagara Heritage pass...and felt we really should...but wow, so glad we did. With hands on activities, an incredible personal guided tour by the incredibly knowledgable Kaitlyn, this was a museum not to be missed. The kindness and knowledge of the staff is second to none and the artefacts in the museum are a treat for anyone interested in Canadian history.
Written July 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie S
Nashville, TN26 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
This was actually my favorite attraction in the Niagara Area (not counting the Falls). I am interested in War of 1812 history so we wandered into this area that had a few sites nearby. The tour that we had was incredible. The guide (Im sorry I dont remember her name) was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. There were fun, hands on activities and my entire family enjoyed it. This was the one place I really wanted to make sure that I commented on because when I was planning for this trip, I hadn't seen it mentioned anywhere. It was only by accident that we stumbled across it. This isn't on the people mover route but it is a short walk from Queenston Heights Park. Totally worth it!
Written November 7, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
what is the cost and when are your hours of operation.
Written November 1, 2015
Museum is open seasonally from 10:00 to 5:00, in 2015 it was May 9 to Sept 7 and then weekends to the end of Oct. Cost of admission $6.00 for adults $4.75 for kids over five.
Written November 2, 2015
Hello Dennis, admission to Mackenzie Printery is $5 + tax per adult.
Written February 19, 2015
Dennis M
Hamilton, Canada
Are you open Feb.24,25,26th/15. Also the admission cost?
Written February 19, 2015
Hello Dennis,
We are unfortunately not open in February at the Mackenzie Printery. Our opening date of the season is set for May 9.
The admission cost for adults is $5 per person, plus tax.
Written February 19, 2015
Dennis M
Hamilton, Canada
Are you open Feb.24,25,26th/15. Also the admission cost?
Written February 19, 2015
From the museum's website:
"Hours of Operation, 2014 Open seasonally only. All times subject to change. May 3rd to September 1st, 2014 Then Weekends only till end of October."
$5.00 Adults (13+ years),
$3.75 Children (6 to 12 years)
Children 5 and under are FREE!
The museum is only open from the beginning of May until the first weekend in September, and then weekkends until the end of October. .
Written February 20, 2015
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