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Guide Itineraries Birthplace
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The Gahan House, located in Olde Charlottetown, is the only brewery located on Prince Edward Island. |
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Take a journey ... retracing the historic path of twenty-three enterprising men whose grand vision of a great country unfurled here in 1864 amidst heated political debate and exuberant social banter.
The journey, from Founders' Hall, a new multimedia interpretative centre, to tree-lined, historic Great George Street, Province House National Historic Site of Canada, Beaconsfield Historic House, the restored Victorian Gardens at Ardgowan National Historic Site, Confederation Centre of the Arts and beyond, is a pilgrimage that offers a glimpse at our country's roots.
Founders' Hall, Canada's Birthplace Pavilion
(6 Prince Street, Historic Charlottetown Waterfront)
Begin your journey at Founders' Hall, a new 21,000 square-foot heritage attraction, located on the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront. The "Time Travel Tunnel" transports visitors back to 1864, leading them through the pages of Canadian history and concludes with a fast-paced look at contemporary Canadians from coast to coast.
This is where hi-tech meets history. Experience Canada's growing pains through the eyes of modern media. Special headsets narrate your passage through state-of-the-art displays, holovisuals, theatres, on-screen trivia games, drawers, cupboards and much more. It's a multisensory experience that makes learning history fun and alive! Founders' Hall is ideal for the whole family. For more information, call 1-800-1864 or (902) 368-1864. Approximate time to visit: 1 hour
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The Confederation Players Walking Tours & Reenactments
(Founders' Hall, 6 Prince Street, Historic Charlottetown Waterfront)
History comes alive when you stroll Charlottetown's historic district with the Founders' Hall Confederation Players, a troupe of costumed, young, bilingual Canadians, trained as living Fathers and Ladies of Confederation. Departing from Founders’ Hall, the Confederation Players offer a glimpse of the past and the history of Charlottetown. You may even encounter characters from the past, ready to share their stories.
For groups, the Confederation Players are available year-round for historic walking tours, step-on guide service and special group functions. Advance reservations are required. Please call 902-892-1935 for group reservations.
FEATURED WALKING TOURS
Historic Great George Street
Relive the past on one of Canada’s most famous streets, where every building and streetcorner has its story to tell, and where Canadian heroes like Sir John A. MacDonald and Georges Etienne Cartier share the historical sidewalk with peddlers, preachers, and tavern-keepers.
The Settlers Tour
An Historical ramble through old Charlottetown where the past springs to life in stories and vignettes of American privateers, the tragedy of Acadian deportation, Mi'Kmaq Storytellers, public hangings, escaping slaves, and a duel at dawn between two Fathers of Confederation.
The Ghostly Realm
Discover your "second sight" in this storied walk along the very edge of the ghostly realm, where phantom ships, haunted mansions, apparitions of the long gone, and forerunners of the soon dead are encountered along the path.
| Walking Tours 2004 | English Tours | French Tours | Dates |
| Historic Great George Street | 11am & 1pm | n/a | Jun 18–Jun
29 (Tue–Sat Only) |
| Historic Great George Street | 9:30am, 11am, 1pm, 3:30pm | 10h30 | Jun30–Aug 29 (Daily) |
| The Settlers Tours | 2pm | 14h00 | Jun27–Aug 31 (Daily) |
| The Ghostly Realm |
7:30pm | n/a | Jun27–Aug 31 (Daily) |
| Historic Great George
Street |
11am & 1pm | n/a | Aug 30-Sept 25 (Tues- Sat. Only) |
| Walking Tours are $5.00 per person, plus GST or $3.00 per person when purchased with admission to Founders' Hall. | |||
Ticket sales and departures for Guided Historic Walking Tours take place daily at Founders' Hall- Canada's Birthplace Pavilion. Call 1-800-955-1865 or (902) 368-1864.
Historic Reenactment with the Fathers and Ladies of Confederation at Province House National Historic Site of Canada
The Magnificent Scheme
The day is September 7, 1864. The Canadian delegates to the Charlottetown Conference are getting nervous. Will the Maritime delegates accept their proposal for a united country? Could this be the first step towards the future of British North America?
Be a witness to this historic event daily during July and August in front of Province House National Historic Site of Canada.
| Historical Reenactments with the Fathers and Ladies of Confederation | June
30-August 29, 2004 (Daily) |
Location |
| The Magnificient Scheme | 11:30am & 4pm | Province House National Historic Site Great George Entrance |
Province House National Historic Site of Canada
(Corner of Richmond and Great George Streets)
Standing proudly on the crest of Great George Street is Province House National Historic Site of Canada - the very heart of the 1864 Conference and now, a national icon. Its impressive Colonial portico welcomes all, while its stone walls echo of past debates and dances.
As the second-oldest active legislature in Canada, this is a building where past and present blend seamlessly. The west wing houses the meticulously restored Confederation Chamber while the east wing comes to life regularly as the Provincial Legislature sits in session with local political business.
The award-winning video, The Great Dream, kicks off your tour in a modern theatre, followed by a guided tour of this elegant seat of politics, past and present-the true birthplace of Canada as a nation!
Province House National Historic Site of Canada is open to the public and is operated by Parks Canada. Full interpretation and a video presentation is available. For more information, call (902) 566-7626. Approximate time required: 45 minutes
| Hours
of Operation 2004 Open Year Round |
|
| June | Daily 8:30am–5pm |
| July 1–Aug 31 | Daily 8:30am–6pm |
| Sep 1–Oct 10 | Daily 8:30am–5pm |
| Oct 12–May 31 | Weekdays 9am–5pm |
| Oct 14–Dec 31 | 9am–5pm (Mon-Fri) |
Beaconsfield Historic House
(2 Kent Street)
Beaconsfield, near Victoria Park, was built from a W.C. Harris design for a prominent shipbuilder, James Peake Jr. Built in 1877, this historic house is one of the Island's finest residential buildings. The property is open year-round for tours, lectures and special events, and serves as the headquarters for the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation. The 25-room residence boasts nine decorative marble fireplaces, imported chandeliers, central heating and gaslight in every room. Visitors are welcome to tour Beaconsfield's Victorian furnished rooms and enjoy the wonderful view of the Charlottetown Harbour from its verandah and the Geoff Hogan Victorian Garden.
Guided tours are available year round. From July 1–August 31st guided tours are available from 10am to 5pm daily. From September 1 to June 30th please call for hours of operation, (902) 368-6603.
Admission: Individual $4.25, Youth/Student $3.25, Family $14.00 (family includes 2 adults and 2 youth), Pre-school Free. School and group rates available by calling (902) 368-6603. Approximate time required is 45 minutes.
Confederation Centre of the Arts
(145 Richmond Street)
Change centuries and step next door to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, a thoroughly-modern structure and a National Memorial to The Fathers of Confederation. Here, Canadian talent and treasures are proudly showcased in theatre, music, comedy, and art exhibitions.
The Charlottetown Festival at the Confederation Centre of the Arts has entertainment galore to delight visitors. The stages are alive with the best in musical theatre, comedy, and Maritime music. The star attraction of the Festival is Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™, returning for its 40th consecutive year on the Mainstage. The 2004 Charlottetown Festival runs from late May until mid October.
The Art Gallery, open year-round, showcases the wonderful talent of Canadian artists through its programme of contemporary and historical art exhibitions, and interactive installation projects. Guided tours are available. Admission to the Gallery is free. Donations are welcome. Hours vary throughout the year.
Timeframe:
Theatre: 90 minutes to 2.5 hours, depending on the show
Theatre and dinner: 60-90 minutes for dining, plus 90 minutes to 2.5 hours, depending on the show
Guided gallery tour: 30-45 minutes
Call the Box Office at 1-800-565-0278 or (902) 566-1267 for more information about show schedules, other Festival events and activities, and ticket prices. Visit our website at , to purchase your tickets online!
Ardgowan National Historic Site
(2 Palmers Lane, corner of Mt. Edward Road & Palmers Lane)
Just a five-minute drive from Downtown Charlottetown is Ardgowan National Historic Site. Ardgowan was the home of William Henry Pope, one of the Fathers of Confederation, and was the scene of the grand reception for delegates to the 1864 Charlottetown Conference. Ardgowan houses the provincial office of Parks Canada. Come experience the serenity of the restored Victorian grounds. For more information, call (902) 566-7626.
