Confederation

 I knew so little of the formation of Canada, so I was really looking forward to today when we visited Charlottetown which is known as the Birthplace of Confederation. Settled as a French fortified post, called Port La Joye, in 1720, Charlottetown was named after Queen Charlotte, consort to George III, after Prince Edward Island was ceded to Britain. In 1764 it became the capital of the province. In 1864, the Fathers of Confederation convened in Charlottetown to consider a political-economic unit that resulted in the formation of Canada 3 years later.

Our first stop was Founders' Hall which was built to commemorate Canada's birthplace. It also houses the Charlottetown Visitor Information Centre. We were told by one of the Centre's staff that if we were taking the Grey Line Guided tour, which we were, we could skip Founders' Hall and go right to Province House National Historic Site. Founders' Hall is geared mostly to school children.

When the British took over Charlottetown, in 1758, during the French and Indian War, they came with a city plan that included 500 building lots which today make up the downtown historic district. Our tour guide told us that Prince Edward Island is 130 miles long and from 4 to 40 miles wide. Since there are about 1 million acres on the island, it has been called the "million acre farm" because of the preponderance of farming. The current population of 146,000, is fewer than the population of Providence. 

Our tour took us past a race track where harness racing takes place. There is a long tradition of harness racing on PEI. At one time there were 20 race tracks; now there are only 2. 

We also saw where, in the 1900's, the raising of silver foxes was introduced. From 1900 to 1920's it was very profitable, but in the late twenties, silver foxes were no longer fashionable and, with the coming of the Depression, the breeding foxes were just turned loose. Foxes are currently the largest wild animal on the island and have become somewhat of a nuisance in Charlottetown, but they are harmless.

Founders' Hall is built adjacent to the harbor and this morning there was a cruise ship docked and many of "our kind of people" (older, retired types), crawling through the city. It must be a deep harbor for such a huge ship to be able to come right into town. 

As recommended by the Visitor Information Center's staff, after the 1 hour, 15 minute tour, we walked to the Province House National Historic Site. We passed my loverly flower gardens including this one with prodigious ornamental cabbages.

These are some of the oldest buildings in the city, in the historic district, just down the street from Province House.

Across the street from the above houses is Saint Dunstan's Basilica. The spires are the highest points in the city and it is the most visible landmark of the city.

The Catholic Church of Charlottetown dates back to 1721 when two missionary priests came with the early French settlers. Their small wooden church was destroyed during the English invasion in 1758 and the inhabitants were deported to France. In 1772, religious persecution in Scotland prompted a number of Catholics to seek refuge in North America. Many settled in Scotchfort, a community about 20 km east of Charlottetown. In 1790, Father Angus Bernard MacEachern arrived from Scotland and the Bishop of Quebec granted Father MacEachern the area including all of PEI, the Magdalen Islands, Cape Breton Island and the Northumberland Shore of Nova Scotia. 

The current Cathedral replaces four other churches that were built on this spot after all of the four burned. In 1990, the federal government designated St. Dunstan's Basilica a National Historic Site of Canada because it is one of the most elaborate churches in the Maritimes and a fine example of High Victorian Gothic Revival. The focal point of the interior, the 37-ft-high altar, and 44-ft-long altar screen, houses 23 statues of saints and angels. The German-crafted Rose window spans 14 feet. 

In one of the side chapels, you might be able to make out the shape of a boat that forms the base of the altar. This is a reconstruction of Father MacEachern's small horse-drawn vessel that navigated small bodies of water and, when fitted with runners, served as a sleigh during the harsh winters. He used it to transport his Mass kit and vestments.

Decked out for the 150th Anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, Province House is the site of the gathering of the colonial leaders of the time. The political leadership of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island planned the conference to discuss union of the three maritime colonies. They were joined by representatives from the government of the Province of Canada, which was Quebec and Ontario at this time. The Canadians proposed a federal union of all the British Colonies in North America and set forth the constitutional and economic basis for Confederation. 

For five days the delegates met privately in the Legislative Council Chamber (today called the Confederation Chamber), debating the merits of the Canadian plan. By the end of the conference, they had reached general agreement on union. The details of the proposal were fleshed out at a subsequent conference in Quebec City in October 1864 and signed in London, England in December of 1866.  The bill became law as the British North America Act on July 1, 1867, and the Dominion of Canada was born. 

What we also learned is that the Charlottetown Conference was the first time that representatives from PEI, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Canada (Ontario & Quebec) had ever met together to discuss common interests. Along with business and politics, the Charlottetown Conference featured a surprising amount of social activity, luncheons, dinners, outings and balls which created a sociable mood that helped delegates to get to know one another. This socializing helped the delegates overcome their doubts and mistrust, and build the foundation of a united Canada.

Next door to Province House is the Confederation Centre of the Arts. One of their featured paintings commemorates the Charlottetown Conference. This is a huge painting that dominates the entry to the Museum.

Our friend in the Centre of the Arts.

Since this is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Anne, of Anne of Green Gables, there was a special exhibit that featured 4 pages of original manuscript penned by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Normally the manuscript is never on display. This page is all about her apology to Marilla's friend, Rachel.

One of the lovely streets, Victoria Row, in Charlottetown. We were able to replenish our dark chocolate supply at "Anne's Chocolates" right around the corner from here. They are quite good, "Canadian Living"magazine has them being in the top 10 of Best Chocolates in Canada.

Back at Founders' Hall and the Visitor Center, there is a complimentary acknowledgement of the anniversary celebration.