This is the boyhood home of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Born in a house that formerly stood on this lot, he entered McGill University in 1883, where he was active in athletics. In 1890, Naismith graduated in theology from Presbyterian College, Montreal, and subsequently enrolled at the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College) in Massachusetts. There was a need for a competitive team sport that could be played indoors during the winter months and, there, in December 1891, Naismith devised a game played under thirteen basic rules, with a ball and two round baskets. He directed physical education at the University of Kansas for thirty-six years and died at Lawrence, Kansas.

Location

At his childhood home, Highway 15, just north of Clayton Road, about 4.5 km northwest of Almonte

Themes

• Education
• People
• Scientific and technological innovations
• Sports and recreation