Model farm running at historic Macphail Homestead

     The following article appears on the CBC PEI website today: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2012/07/31/pei-macphail-homestead-farm-584.html

Model farm running at historic homestead

The Macphail Homestead was the home of Sir Andrew Macphail,                                            a 19th century doctor and author. (Macphail Homestead)

A group of volunteers has begun farming a small plot of land at the historic Macphail Homestead in eastern P.E.I.

The group that runs the farm hopes to promote small-scale, sustainable and organic farming. Harry Baglole is president of Homestead Farm.

"We do hope that it would be a major place where we could demonstrate and promote small-scale and organic farming in P.E.I.," said Homestead Farm president Harry Baglole.

"We're not really sure what we're planning there next year but we will be having some crop garden for the kitchen for the Macphail Homestead and some demonstration plots."

Baglole said Homestead Farm has about two hectares to work with.

The Macphail Homestead was the home of Sir Andrew Macphail, a 19th century doctor and author.

In addition to preserving the historic home, the homestead runs a restaurant, a nursery for native P.E.I. plants, and summer camps for children.

     Here's the website for the homestead: http://www.macphailhomestead.ca/

Temperance Hall, Alberton

     The old Temperance Hall on 107 Dufferin Street in Alberton was converted into 4 apartments in 1957 by local businessman J.W. Don Campbell's.  When I was a child my grandmother Annie Jane (Cannon) Jeffery and my great-aunt Bessie (Nichols) Jeffery lived here together on the main floor north apartment  - that was in the mid 1960's.  I remember my father leaving me here with them when he went over to Western Hospital to see my mother following the birth of my 3rd brother Kerras.  At that age we were always with our parents especially after dark - so that evening my father dropped me off for them to look after me, as in those day, children under 12 were not allowed to visit in the hospital.  My grandmother and great aunt had no electricity - i still vividly remember looking at the oil lamp and thinking how strange it was as we had electricity and lights at home in Alma.  That was about April 9th, 1966 - I was 4-1/2 years old.
     The Temperance Hall was originally built at the corner of Dufferin and Church streets sometime around 1859 - it was moved to this location in 1914 when Hon. Benj. Rogers built a new house at the corner.  The Alberton Pioneer was published from here between 1876-1879 then it moved to Montague due to the outbreak of the smallpox epidemic and people were afraid to read the newspaper - later the newspaper moved to Summerside and is today known as the Journal-Pioneer.  ( information cf. Alberton and Area: A Pictorial Experience Through Time, pg.62 )

Below are my photos from a few weeks ago.  

 Above: The old Temperance Hall - southeast view - left side faces towards Church Street.

     Above: Gable Window on South side - none on north side.

     The following are excerpts from Rev. R.W. Dyer's Journals where he references the Temperance Hall and some of the goings-on there.

September 11, 1859 ( Rev. Dyer has been in western PEI for about 2 weeks )           "Sabbath Day".  After family prayer I baptised 3 children, 2 boys and one little girl, all belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Caie.  They have been waiting a long time to get them baptised by a minister of the Church of England.  This being done, they got their large room ready for Divine Service, and about 11 o'clock, the canencial hour for prayer, all the church people came.  Some of them came 5 miles, others were nearer.  Besides these there were many Presbyterians.  I preached from Chapter 2 of Col. verse 6.  They were all very attentive and, I hope, edified.  This is the first service performed by a clergyman of the Episcopal Church for some years past.  The people are delighted to have a dear Minister of their own amoung them.  They are indeed thankful to the Society and the dear Bishop for sending them one.  I have found as yet amoung all persons here unbounded kindness. Service being over, I hastened to take some dinner, and then posted off to Cascumpec, distance 10 miles, to conduct Service in the Temperance Hall (for they have yet no church).  We commenced about 4 o'clock.  I was glad to preach to such a large assembly for the place ‑ 160 ‑ though I could not reckon on all these, not a quarter of them as Episcopalians.  Yet I could safely reckon on these sinners standing in need of a Saviour, and therefore I offered the Saviour to them all, assuring them that if they came to him, He would in no wise cast them out.  I was glad to see many of the American fishermen present.  God grant that the word spoken by the mouth of His servant may be like bread cast upon the waters, seen after many days.     

December 25, 1859

Christmas Day.  Tremendously cold, blowing and drifting.  Went to the Temperance Hall, found no one there.  Set for some time till about 12 o'clock when a few, about 9, came, 2 of whom were females, Mrs. Fife and Mrs. Woodman.  Mrs. W. fainted away soon after she came in.  We sang the song of the Angles, "While shepherds."  and then had the morning prayers and lessons for the day, but no sermon.  Too cold to go to the village.  Had service at home in the afternoon with my own family.

July 21, 1861

Preached at Kildare Bridge this morning.  Had a very large congregation.  Returned to the Cross, preached at the Hall.  I am happy to report that the Sunday School which has been established in the Temperance Hall increases and goes on very pleasingly.  May the Lord bless the labour of the teachers.

March 10, 1864

Took tea this evening at Mr. Thomas D.'s and went to the Temperance Hall to a Lecture on the South by a Mr. Currie.  Doctor Young, in the Chair, who called on me to open the meeting by prayer.  Present, about 450.  There was  a great deal of discussion.

February 12, 1865

Preached at the Hall this morning, had a good congregation.  I preached form the 24th Chapter of Acts: Paul reasoned with Felix on temperance; the sermon was all on temperance.  The people, I think, liked it.  Went to the Village in the afternoon; Jane Weeks went with me.  We had a nice congregation.  Mr. and Mrs. Gorrell not present, Mrs. G. is sick.  

July 6, 1865

Attended the Bazaar in the Temperance Hall; it was a splendid sight.  It was well attended and passed off in the evening by a band of music.

October 19, 1874

In the evening we had an Entertainment at the Temperance Hall, Alberton.  I was chairman and I gave an address to the audience, to about 170 persons. It was a complete success and realized about $16.  Which sum is to be appropriate to lamps for our church.  It was very interesting, on the whole.  Persons who take part in the Entertainment were: Mrs. Stewart, Miss Hallett, Harris, the 2 Misses Fielding, the 2 Dyers, Doctor Stewart and G. Montgomery; it went off very well.

January 31, 1877

Went to call to see the child.  He is no better.  Paid a few visits today at Alberton.  Had quite a little party this afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Carr and baby Mr. Lucas, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Dyer and Elora William and the 2 Misses Humphreys.  Had quite a lively afternoon.  Had some singing and music.  Went to the License Meeting of .....  The Temperance men gained the day.  They had a majority of 8 or 10 thank God.  May the Temperance Cause prosper.  I voted and so did Mr. Carr and Mr. Lucas.

February 1, 1877

Called to see the sick child this afternoon.  Had prayers in the house present Mrs. Smallman mother and Captain Hubbard.  Captain Hubbard has cut his foot badly.  Called at another place or two and had came home.  Roads bad for walking.  Sent my last part of my Report for 1876 on Monday last the 29^th ulto.  I hope that it will get home safely.  There is a Caucas meeting tonight at Mr. Rogers’ to consider the Temperance Cause to try to put down all the Taverns.  I am too tired to go.  They won’t expect me.

February 2, 1877

Champion, B., and Alden Clark round getting petitions signed to put a stop of any of the Tavern Keepers to renew their Licenses when out.  It is signed by nearly 80 which is more than 2/3 of the District.  I signed all 4 Whites, Gladneys, Tuplins, Wallaces.  A good work I hope that all Liquor Trade will be stopped at any rate it will be checked.  

Old Callbeck's store to become museum

     The good news of a new museum opening in the historic Callbeck's Store in Bedeque next year has been on the news all day - it's a great day on Prince Edward Island!  Progress!
     Here's an article from CBC PEI's website... http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2012/07/25/pei-new-callbecks-museum-584.html

Old Callbeck's Store to become Museum

A new museum will be opening in Prince County and much of the collection has been donated by a local historian and museum enthusiast.

It's been more than 20 years since the old Callbeck's store sold household goods, soon it will display historic goods as a museum.

The Bedeque Historical Society, a not for profit, is now leasing the front of the building.

“There is no museum in the area, and there's a rich history in this area,” said Doug Sobey, a member of the Bedeque Historical Society.

The loyalist era will have a prominent place in the museum.

“That will all be part of the work of the museum — not just preserving objects, but preserving the history of the community,” Sobey said.

The society chose the spot because it was the original tailor shop that William Callbeck started back in the 1899.

Susan Laird says she has a special attachment to the building.

“I started working for the Callbeck family back in 1972, and I'm still working for them, and it's just tremendous to see the space come alive again,” Laird said.

Callbeck's items

Now the old Callbeck's store will forever be immortalized through old notebooks and even the original desk and chair Callbeck used.

Over the winter, renovations took place. New cabinets were built for the artifacts, the floors redone, and a staircase was created.

The cost of the renovations was about $100,000, mostly through a provincial grant.

Most of the artifacts came from local historian Howard Clark, creator of the now defunct Red Barn Museum. His collection has about 4,000 items.

“We have a great many artifacts to choose from when building our displays, it’s quite a treasure,” Laird said.

The artifacts include original items from the Chelton school, including the sign, desks, and the strap used for punishment.

Most of Clark's items are still in storage, where they've been for two years waiting for a home. The society eventually wants to re-create the barn museum on the second floor. But they'll have to wait for more funding for that.

Although the sign is already up, residents will have to wait until next summer for the doors to open because everything still has to be sorted and catalogued.

The public will get a sneak peak of the museum during an upcoming historical talk next week.

The Guardian Newspaper published the following article yesterday.

By Mike Carson.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Arts/Cultural%20activities/2012-07-24/article-3038122/Museum-in-the-works-for-Bedeque-Bay-area/1

     Susan Leard.  Bedeque Area Historical Society, displays some of the artifacts that will be part of a temporary exhibit at a new museum under development in the historical Callbeck's Store in Central Bedeque.

MacDonald House, Georgetown - family donates

     This article appeared on today's Guardian Newspaper website.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2012/07/24/pei-macdonald-house-archives-584.html

Macdonald House has stood in Georgetown since 1835, and has always stayed in the family. (The Canadian Register of Historic Place)

A prominent P.E.I. family has donated a large sum of photos and diaries to the provincial archives.

The Macdonald family, originating in Scotland, moved to Panmure Island, and then to Georgetown.

There are saved diaries and photos from the mid-1800s which will be sorted and archived.

Colin Macdonald bought the land on which the home stands in 1833. The house was built for his brother, Hugh Macdonald.

In his will, Macdonald left the residence to his three nephews, the sons of Hugh Macdonald, according to The Canadian Register of Historic Places.

They were Andrew Archibald, Archibald John, and Austin Colin. All of them would go on to work in politics.

Andrew Archibald Macdonald was one of the fathers of confederation and a former lieutenant governor.

Archibald John MacDonald was also an MLA, and looked after the family store.

Isabelle Macdonald, one of the first settlers to the Island, is also an ancestor.

The original 1835 home still stands on Water Street in Georgetown, and still serves as a family home - often being passed down to female relatives.

The home was always used as a residence except for a time when a bank was located on the main floor in what is now the living room.

Piece of history

Kathleen Shouldice, 94, and her sister Constance donated the goods.

“It's interesting to be able to get so many branches of the family and have that material come together," said Jill MacMicken Wilson, an archivist for the province.

The family's Macdonald store in Georgetown kept a diary for 40 years. One entry is from 1917, the year Shouldice was born, and she says she was surprised when she was mentioned by name.

“I never thought anyone would be worried about my baptism,” she said chuckling.

Tourism Minister Rob Henderson was there to see the documents, and thank the family for their contribution to the Island's history.

"It's a very rare occasion to be able to get so many artifacts about the history, about Prince Edward Island, from that period of time," Henderson said.

The artifacts being donated today will be archived, but P.E.I. still doesn't have a provincial museum — something it promised four years ago.

"We are advocating for it, but at this particular time we haven't been able to find the resources that would fund such a facility," said Henderson.

In the meantime, the artifacts will be housed in the Coles building, and will be made available to the public.

The province was hoping it might be able to secure federal funding through the 150th celebration of the Charlottetown conference, but that hasn't happened yet.

Charlottetown Condensed Milk Factory

     Here's another postcard from my brother's collection - it's the Charlottetown Condensed Milk Factory, c. 1906-08. 

     Below is an excerpt from the City of Charlottetown website telling about the Condensed Milk Factory.

http://www.city.charlottetown.pe.ca/searchaproperty.php?propid=1131

     In 1899, the Charlottetown Condensed Milk Factory opened on the east side of Esher Street. It was completely destroyed by fire in August 1911. It was replaced by a beautifully designed building by Benjamin Chappell that unfortunately, twenty-one years later, suffered the same fate. It was located where M.F. Schurman Co. was located for a number of years. Other businesses that operated in the area were the Charlottetown Can Company, the Government Cold Storage Plant and, across the tracks, the Sunshine Dairy. New Method Cleaners and Chandlers Woodworking set the direction that exists to this day. The history of the Prince Edward Island Hospital is very much connected with this block. They had opened their first hospital in the Haszard House at 24-36 Longworth Avenue. It opened on January 28, 1884. It was the answer to the demands of the community for "a general" hospital, one not affiliated with a religious body, as was the Charlottetown Hospital that had opened in 1879.

     Also, I found this image of the factory taken from the southwest corner.

Photo by Wm. James Topley 1845-1930

cf. Library and Archives Canada - www.collectionscanada.gc.ca


FYI - Here's the 1884 P.E.I. Hospital
cf. http://www.gov.pe.ca/hpo/IMG/ORIGINAL/675e79cePEI%20Hospital%20Postcard.jpg

Victoria West Presbyterian Church celebrates 125 years

     This article appeared on today's Journal-Pioneer newspaper website:
http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2012-07-18/article-3034217/Victoria-West-Presbyterian-Church-celebrates-125-years/1

     Cousins Arthur Moore and Susie Enman have been attending Victoria West Presyterian Church all of their lives and will be on hand this Sunday as the church celebrates its 125th anniversary.

by Nancy MacPhee, July 18, 2012

      As a child, she attended Sunday services at Victoria West Presbyterian Church with her family. As an adult, the Ellerslie woman watched as her only daughter was married within its walls and later eulogized as she was laid to rest from the church.

“I always loved it. It’s about the only way I could describe it,” said the 81-year-old.

     This Sunday, Enman will be among those celebrating the church’s 125th anniversary.

     The church, one of four in the Richmond Bay charge, was built in 1887 on land donated by Archibald and Catherine MacDougall.

     Dozens of ministers have led the congregation. Always constant, said Arthur Moore, has been the parishioners’ faith and determination to keep its doors open.

     The congregation today is small, consisting of less than 30 faithful parishioners.

     Moore recalled a time when the pews were packed for weekly services.

     “Back 50 years ago, I remember we had church here on Sunday nights and my father would have to usher them in to find room for them to sit,” said the long-time church member who lives a short distance from the small wooden building.

     Back then, the church was central to Victoria West, a place where people gathered to worship, catch up on the week’s news and carry out the business — outside its doors — of the community.

     “I was probably about seven years of age and we had a Christmas concert here and I remember we had the horse shed out there and there were so many horses that we couldn’t get all the horses in the shed,” said Moore. “We always came to church here.”

     Dressed in their Sunday best, the young men would sit at the back of the church, keeping a close eyes on the young women of the congregation as they listened to the minister speak from the pulpit.

     There were strawberry socials in the summer and church suppers at the Orange Lodge where money would be raised to help with church projects.

     In times of need, the congregation banded together, whether it was to help a fellow parishioner in need or to raise the money for renovations.

     “In 2006, we had to replace our steeple. We thought we were going to be able to fix it but it was in too bad of shape,” recalled Moore.

     A congregational meeting was called and the decision was made to move forward with the work at a cost of $12,000.

     “There were people here that day that started off with the first $1,000. It just went from there and we raised our money,” said Moore. “We had outside help from different people that wanted to donate.”

     Pulling together and getting the job done, he added, is the Presbyterian way.

     “We’re a small congregation but we’re a very strong group. When we decided to do something, we get together and we’re very determined. We’re the old-style Presbyterians,” Moore said with a laugh.

     Although numbers have dwindled over the years, the congregation remains strong and services still held each Sunday.

     The exterior of the church has remained much the same as when it was first constructed. Shingles have been replaced, a few coats of paint added, stained glass windows installed and cosmetic work has been done inside.

     “I’m pleased it has been kept in such good shape. It means a lot to me,” said Enman. “There’s a lot of history here.”

      The milestone anniversary will be marked Sunday with a barbecue at 5 p.m. followed by service at 7. Invitations have been sent across the country and beyond to former members of the congregation. Moore expects to see a large crowd.

     “We have had a lot of happy times in this church and a lot of sad times, as well,” he said.

     Enman added, “We hope it continues on.”

Cavendish - images of bygone days

     Below is a photo I found in an old tourist booklet - the aerial image is is overlooking Cavendish Corner - in the foreground is the Bungalow Courts - today this is hidden in a forest of spruce trees.  c. late 1950's.

     Below: Lakeview Lodge Postcard, c. 1960s.  Lakeview Lodge was names for its views of the lake, however, all the Parks Canada property between the Lodge and the Lake has overgrown in thick spruce trees which block all views in all directions today.

 Below:  1898 photo titled, Camping in Cavendish. cf. Public Archives of PEI

Bethel United Church & Springfield West

     On Sunday, July 8th, my parents 51st Anniversary, we made our way out to Springfield West on the O'Leary Road to the annual ice cream social at Bethel United Church.  It's located on the MacDougall Road (Rte. 141), a short distance in from the O'Leary Road.
     Below: The front, east side, of the Bethel United Church built in 1873.  This was the home church of my great-great-grandparents William McDowell and Ellen Heaney (see toombstone below).

Below: south side of Bethel United Church.

Below: photos of the church's interior.

Below:  the former Bethel United Church Manse.

Below: the cover of the book, Letters from the Manse by Joan Archibald Colborne.

cf. www.amazon.ca

     My parents, Wilbert Jeffery and Verna McDowell were married in the Bethel United Church Manse on July 8, 1961.  Below is a photo of Wilbert and Verna taken at their wedding reception at the McDowell-Silliker homestead in Knutsford.

Below:  my parents on July 8, 2012 - their 51st Wedding Anniversary.

Below: the Wilkinson's Store on the O'Leary Road in Springfield West.

     On October 6, 1982 the West Prince Graphic published a story about my great grandmother Lucy Enid (Milligan) MacNevin Collicutt (1892-1989).  The following is a quote from the article,
     "Island women had a way of making pennies stretch when it came to feeding their families and keeping them warm.  Mrs. Collicutt recalls going to the local store (Wilkinson's in Springfield West, as she always told us) every fall for the winter supplies and spending $25.  That was alot of money in a time when 50 cents was the going wage for a day's work.  "I made the children's clothes and my own.  There was lots of material and broadcloth was 10 cents a yard. You could get 200 pounds of flour for $1.98 but we grew a lot of our own wheat and ground into flour.  We would get a barrel of herring in the fall to go with the meat we had and that would do for the winter.  We were never idle then," Mrs. Collicutt related."

Below: Ladies quilting in Milo - my great-grandmother

is second from right, behind in top photo.

Below: Southwest view of Wilkinson's Store.

Below: A barn belonging to the Wilkinson's Store.

Below: Springfield West School - southwest view.

Below: Front of Springfield West School - south facing.

Below: Southeast corner of Springfield West School.

Below: not sure what this building is - it's across the road from the school.

Detailing in the gable would indicated it was probably a community Hall.

Below: a few barns on a homestead next to the school.

P.E.I. Postcards from the early 1900's

     My brother Kerras was showing me his collection of farming postcards the other day - he loaned them to me to scan for everyone to enjoy!

Circa 1905-1908

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March 21, 1913

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Circa 1920's

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September 12, 1914

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August 1, 1911

*************

Circa Early 1900's

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November 23, 1909

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Circa 1967