Mackenzie Printery

Discover 500 years of printing technology inside the restored home of publisher, rebellion leader and Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie.

Located in the quaint village of Queenston, the Mackenzie Printery offers a hands-on experience with a working linotype and eight operating heritage presses. Don’t miss the rare Louis Roy Press, the oldest printing press in Canada and one of the few original wooden presses remaining in the world.

Seasonal (May-Oct)
Approximate Duration 45 min. (varies)
Guided Tour
Free Parking

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A Historic Landmark

This historic landmark is where William Lyon Mackenzie began his political career with his newspaper, the Colonial Advocate, dedicated to political and social reform. Launched in 1824, the paper became very popular and was printed bi-weekly for its 250 subscribers. By 1836, Mackenzie stopped printing his newspaper to organize the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837.

He planted five honey locust trees to commemorate the fight to bring responsible government to Upper Canada. Two of these trees still stand today at the front of this restored Georgian home.

Canada's Oldest Printing Press

Rarest in the Mackenzie Printery’s collection is the Louis Roy Press. It is the oldest wooden press in Canada and one of seven wooden presses remaining in the world! The press was used to print Ontario’s first newspaper “The Upper Canada Gazette, or American Oracle,” and it printed some of Canada’s earliest laws, including the Act Against Slavery in 1793.

Handmade History

All of the equipment on display inside the museum is still fully operational. Trained staff and volunteers preserve the art of letterpress history by utilizing the preserved presses, creating prints that are for sale in the museum’s gift shop. Visitors to the museum can learn how to hand-set moveable type and operate two heritage printing presses!