It is important to recognize property owners and caretakers for their interest in the continued care and preservation of important heritage properties, says Minister of Tourism and Culture Robert Vessey.
“A number of designations and registrations of heritage properties across the province were announced today and I would like to congratulate those individuals who recognize the historic value of these places and work to preserve them,” said the minister. “These buildings and places teach us about our history and the accomplishments of our ancestors, while reflecting the pride of their owners and communities today.”
The three new properties designated as having outstanding heritage significance under the Heritage Places Protection Act are: St. James United Church in West Covehead, the Bayfield-Jaynes Property in Stratford, and the L.M. Montgomery Birthplace in New London. These three heritage properties will be identified by provincial heritage plaques.
In addition, a number of heritage properties were recognized as registered heritage places under the Act. They are recognized for their heritage value to their communities and to the province on the basis of their age, architectural features, integrity, and historical associations. During the summer, Heritage Place Registration Certificates were presented to St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Miscouche, St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church in Cumberland, Blanchard Cottage in Fortune, the Jeffery Homestead in Alma, the Lauchlin Morrison Home in South Pinette, and St. Mary’s Acadian School in St. Ann.
“The vast majority of the province’s heritage places are in private hands and it is important to recognize how the Heritage Places Protection Act acknowledges both individual and institutional stewardship,” said Minister Vessey.
Under the Heritage Places Protection Act, properties may be registered or designated as a heritage place. Designation under the Heritage Places Protection Act provides legal restrictions on any changes to the exterior historic architecture or character-defining elements of the place. Nominations for the Register of Heritage Places are reviewed and evaluated by the Heritage Places Advisory Board for a number of criteria.
There are more than 820 Island heritage places listings on the provincial (www.peihistoricplaces.ca) and national (www.historicplaces.ca) Historic Places websites.
Further information regarding Prince Edward Island heritage places and the heritage recognition program can be found at www.peihistoricplaces.ca.
BACKGROUNDER:
The following properties have been registered under the provincial Heritage Places Protection Act and have been presented with registration certificates:
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Miscouche - Work began on this church in 1890 when it was determined the congregation had outgrown the smaller 1823 church on the site. Designed by Summerside architect George E. Baker, the church was dedicated on December 8, 1892. The well-maintained High Victorian Gothic style church is a landmark in its community and a source of pride to its parishioners.
St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church, Cumberland - This Carpenter Gothic church was built of locally quarried sandstone and completed in 1868. It is valued for its age, sandstone and brick construction, its importance to the community, and its location overlooking the Northumberland Strait.
Blanchard Cottage, Fortune - This 1938 cottage was designed by noted Charlottetown architect Edward Stirling (Bone) Blanchard, as his summer retreat. Located near the picturesque shores of Kings County, the cottage reflects the Arts and Crafts style. After several years of disrepair in the 1950s-1960s, the cottage has been restored, maintaining much of the original design.
Jeffery Homestead, Alma - Valued for its age, association with the Jeffery family and importance to its community, the Jeffery home was built in the late 1860s to replace a log cabin, occupied by the Stephen E. Jeffery family when they moved to Alma from St. Eleanor’s in 1860. The original home was enlarged and renovated in the 1920s and 1972 to accommodate its owners and their families. Five generations of the Jeffery family have occupied this well-maintained home.
Lauchlin Morrison Home, South Pinette - This one-and-one-half storey vernacular style house was built in 1849 by Lauchlin Morrison, a descendant of the Skye Pioneers who settled in Belfast in 1803. The exterior has been upgraded, but maintains the symmetrical facade, centre door and gable roof. Many original interior features are intact including the wooden peg and beam rafters, wood floors, stairs, walls and ceiling.
St. Mary’s Acadian School, St. Ann - Dating from 1855, the Millvale Road Acadian School opened to provide education for Acadian children. By 1861, the school was renamed St. Mary’s Acadian School, and it was one of eighteen rural schools that provided French language education at that time. This one-room school remained open until 1965, after which it has been enjoyed as a summer cottage. The school retains most of its original architectural features.
Bayfield - Jaynes Property, Stratford - This two-storey home was built circa 1850, in the Late Regency style. Used as a summer cottage by Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield and family, its grandeur is evident in the massing of the building, its wraparound verandah with ornate trelliage. The Jaynes family owned the property for over 80 years. The home is valued for its age, architecture, integrity, historical associations and its park-like setting and view of the Hillsborough Bay.
St. James United Church, West Covehead - St. James United Church is a fine example of a rectangular Meeting House, with Classical Revival architectural design elements. It is one of the oldest churches in the province. It was built in 1837, replacing two earlier churches. The Presbyterian faith came to Covehead in 1791, as it was part of a preaching circuit by a visiting Nova Scotia clergyman serving the Scottish settlers who arrived in 1770. By 1806, Covehead was part of the first organized Presbyterian congregation in PEI. In 1925, the St. James congregation joined the United Church of Canada.
L.M. Montgomery Birthplace, New London - This one-and-one-half storey vernacular house is the birthplace of the world-famous author, Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), daughter of Hugh John Montgomery and Clara Woolner Macneill. The home is located on its original site and maintains most of its original features. Much of the interior is also original. Though the Montgomery family lived here a relatively short time, the home has operated since the 1960s as an important tourist destination dedicated to the life and achievements of LM Montgomery.