It's been one year since I started this blog about Prince Edward Island Heritage Buildings and so far have more than 190 posts.
As I look back through the postings I realize many are of rural Island buildings. This wasn't intentional but it's where I spend most of my time. Its important to document these buildings as many rural communities (moreso in Prince & Kings counties) are emptying of their residents and the old buildings are being neglected. Last winter saw many old farm barns blow over in wind storms and with new rules in some churches that a minister can't serve more than two churches, some are being sold or demolished.
I grew up in Alma, a small rural farming community in western P.E.I. On our road were eight family farms (dairy & potato) in a stretch of a mile and a half - today there are two farmers - one a dairy-potato operation and the other solely potato It's a changing community with fewer farmers everywhere. In the 1970s the community of Alma had a country store; a post office (in a home); a school; a Baptist Church; an Anglican Church; a little train station depot - today the only public building left is the Anglican Church, used seasonally. What will the community look like in another generation?
OK OK!! It's time to be positive. There are many, many successful restoration projects carried out throughout the Island all the time - such as the New London farmhouse...
Our two Island cities have strong heritage boards and have well documented and protect their heritage buildings, however, you can never let your guard down. Check out their websites:
I plan to continue blogging about all Island architecture and in the year ahead hope to spend more time going through my collection of old photos and articles and scanning them for posting.
Thanks to all who follow this blog and care deeply for the built heritage of Prince Edward Island.
