On September 1, 1864, the meeting that led to Canadian Confederation convened in Prince Edward Island. PEI, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick had originally set the date to discuss the possibility of Maritime Union. When the Province of Canada (what is present-day Ontario and Quebec...
In 1762, Samuel Holland arrived to do a survey of PEI. He divided the Island into 67 townships or lots, which were then awarded to British petitioners in a lottery. These petitioners were supposed to settle their lots with 100 Protestant, non-British persons within 10 years, but...
The historic buildings found all over Prince Edward Island are an important part of our legacy and cultural identity. They tell the story of our history and remind us to treasure the present. The heritage value of these places deserves to be recognized municipally, provincially...
No matter what the season, there are plenty of ways to stay active outdoors in Prince Edward Island. Trails The Confederation Trail stretches 435 kilometers and goes from one end of the Island to the other. Tracing the route of what once was the Prince Edward Island railway, the...
A great seal is the highest order of seal used by a government. In Canada, application of a great seal legitimizes a formal document, showing that it has been approved by the Lieutenant Governor. History of the Great Seal of Prince Edward Island In 1769, Prince Edward Island...
When Jacques Cartier arrived in 1534, the Red Oak (Quercus rubra) was reasonably common in the Island forest. Subsequent explorers and settlers valued its strong,fine-grained wood for furniture and cabinets. Land-clearing and harvest of Red Oak have greatly reduced its...
In 1960, the Prince Edward Island Tartan was adopted to recognize the contribution of people of Scottish descent to the settling of PEI. The tartan was designed by Mrs. Jean Reed of Covehead and features the colours red for the redness of our soil, green for grass and trees...
The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) was officially named the provincial bird in 1977 as a result of a province-wide public vote held in 1976. It is easily identified by its prominent sky-blue hood, wings and tail feathers. Its throat and breast are white, and horizontal black arcs...
Prince Edward Island’s flag is modelled after the coat of arms and is bordered on three sides by bands of red and white. The English heraldic lion is also used on the Coat of Arms of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and of King Edward VII. The upper section of the Duke of Kent shield...
The Lady's Slipper ( Cypripedium acaule) was made the official provincial flower on April 25, 1947. The orchid gets its name from the shape of its petals which look like a slipper. The Lady's Slipper blooms in late May and June and grows in shady woodlands. These delicate flowers...