Five national historic sites are of special interest in Prince Edward Island, including the site of Prince Edward Island’s first European settlement and the birthplace of Canadian Confederation.

Located in Rocky Point, across the harbour from Charlottetown, Fort Amherst-Port La Joye National Historic Site was the location of Prince Edward Island’s first European settlement. Port La Joye was first established in 1720 by French settlers. In 1758, the British captured the fort and renamed it Fort Amherst. Today, the only visible remains of the site are the earthworks of the British fort. An interpretive centre provides additional background on Fort Amherst’s history.

The provincial offices for Parks Canada are housed at Ardgowan National Historic Site. Ardgowan was the home of William Henry Pope, a former premier of Prince Edward Island and a Father of Confederation. The grounds surrounding the building recreate a Victorian garden of the 1860s and are open to the public.

Province House National Historic Site was built in 1847 as Prince Edward Island’s colonial building. It is most significant to Canadians as the site, in 1864, of the first of three conferences that led to the creation of Canada. Province House remains to this day the seat of the Island’s provincial legislature. Several rooms, including the Confederation Chamber where the 1864 conference was held, have been restored to their 1860s appearance. An audio-visual display and interpretive programs complement the building’s historical appeal.

Great George Street Historic District is a relatively recent addition to Charlottetown’s historic sites. In September 1864, the Fathers of Confederation landed on the shore at the bottom of this street and eventually made their way up Great George to the front of Province House where the Charlottetown Conference was to be held. Some of the visiting statesmen stayed in the Pavilion Hotel that was located on the street.

Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead National Historic Site was the home of doctor, teacher, soldier and writer, Sir Andrew Macphail. The 140-acre home is restored to its 1912 appearance. Today it is the site of house tours, storytelling, painting, genealogy, writing, crafts, photography, dinner theatre, lectures, and ceilidhs. The adjoining Macphail woods and native tree and shrub nursery is a haven for naturalist education, offering nature trails and workshops on forest restoration, birding, and botany.

National Park | Scenic Heritage Roads | Museums and Historic Villages
Historic Buildings and Churches | Monuments to Our Past