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~:~ Canadian Heritage River System ~:~··· Hillsborough River Association ~ Prince Edward Island···Exploring the Hillsborough ~ A Canadian Heritage River....
Culture and Heritage: The Hillsborough is rich in culture and heritage sites. 1. Prince Edward Battery, first built on this site during the Napoleonic Wars in 1805, features interpretive displays at this historic site which once guarded the entrance to Charlottetown. Prince Edward Battery is located on the west side of Charlottetown on the Hillsborough River at Victoria Park. It is on Park Roadway, an extension of Kent Street, and lies opposite Park Driveway. For more information visit www.historicplaces.ca 2. Fanningbank - Government House is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the personal representative in the Province of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This impressive, wooden structure was designed by architect Isaac Smith and was completed in 1834. The famous picture of the Fathers of Confederation was taken on the front steps. This site features interpretive displays in the gatehouse. Fanningbank is located on the west side of Charlottetown at the junction of Kent Street and Government Drive.
4. The Prince Edward Island Regiment Museum features displays of military artifacts as well as an impressive collection of historic photographs. It is located on Haviland Street at the western terminus of Water Street. For more information visit http://www.virtualmuseum.ca
6. The Honourable George Coles Building has played an important role in Island history since it was first opened in 1875. First constructed to house the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island, it later became the known as the Law Courts and served this role until a fire badly damaged its interior and roof in 1976. Shortly thereafter, it was renovated to serve as the P.E.I. Government offices and the Public Archives. A reading room allows access to the thousands of historic documents in the archives. For those interested in history and genealogy, the Public Archives reading room is a must. The Coles Building is located adjacent to Province House National Historic Site at 175 Richmond Street. 7. Founders’ Hall - Canadian Birthplace Pavilion uses multi-media, innovation and modern technology to engage visitors as they move along “The Time Travel Tunnel”. The site features special headsets to narrate your passage through three dimensional art displays, holovisuals, on-screen trivia games, cupboards, and much more. It is located at 6 Prince Street on the south side Charlottetown beside the Hillsborough River. For more information go to www.foundershall.ca 8. There are two Historic Monuments featuring the Hillsborough River which was the first river on Prince Edward Island to become part of the Canadian Heritage River System. The Charlottetown Hillsborough River monument is beside the Waterfront Extension board walk overlooking the Hillsborough River just east of Founders’ Hall. Its English, French, and Mi’Kmaq text describes some of the features which led to the designation of the Hillsborough as a Canadian Heritage River. The Island’s first Canadian Heritage River System monument was erected in Scotchfort about 24 km (15 mi) east of Charlottetown on Route 2. 9. HMCS Queen Charlotte Naval Artifacts display celebrates some of the Island’s naval history. It is located at 10 Water Street Parkway adjacent to the river between the Historic Monument and the Hillsborough Bridge. 10. Ardgowan National Historic Site was the home of William Henry Pope, a colonial secretary and newspaper editor whose advocacy for the union of the British colonies in North America led to his becoming nominated as a delegate to the Charlottetown Conference. Thus, he became a Father of Confederation. The once proud Victorian gardens for which Ardgowan was known have been restored by Parks Canada and the structure houses the administrative headquarters for the P.E.I. National Park. Ardgowan’s interpretive displays and gardens provide a pleasant stroll. It is located on Mount Edward Road between Palmers Lane and Confederation Street. 11. Abegweit First Nation is one of two Mi’Kmaq first nation bands on Prince Edward Island. Aboriginal people have been on the Island for at least 10,000 years and their sea going canoes allowed their people to cross the Northumberland Strait after the land bridge was lost. The Abegweit First Nation is located in the Hillsborough River watershed in Scotchfort about 24 km (15 mi) east of Charlottetown on Route 2. For more information go to www.abegweitfirstnations.com
13. St. Andrew’s Chapel and Bishop A.B. MacEachern National Historic Site lie side by side overlooking the upper reaches of the Hillsborough River at the head of tide just above Mount Stewart. Father Angus MacEachern, a Catholic priest from Scotland who came to the Island in 1790, replaced Father James MacDonald who had died five years earlier. As the only priest, he served not only the Island’s Catholic Mi’Kmaq, French, Scots, and Irish but also parts of the mainland. His treks across the Island and mainland during this pioneer period are legendary. In 1819 he was appointed auxiliary (assistant) Bishop to the Diocese of Quebec and, upon the creation of the Diocese of Charlottetown in 1829, he became the Bishop for the new Diocese which covered the Island, New Brunswick and the Magdalen Islands. He also served the people in the St. Andrew’s parish and, in 1831, his home became the Island’s first college. After 45years of service on the Island, he died at age 76. His remains now rest in the small crypt chapel at St. Andrews. These two sites lie south of Route 2, 2.4 km (1.5 mi) east of Mount Stewart. Click on the image Photos and illustrations: Beaconsfield Historic House courtesy of Government of PEI; Province House courtesy of Parks Canada, John Sylvestre; Hillsborough River Eco-Centre courtesy of Hillsborough River and Area Development Corporation, Hillsborough River Association, Peter Sheppard; and Mount Stewart circa 1880 from Meacham’s Illustrated Historical Atlas of Prince Edward Island courtesy of Museum and Heritage PEI. This site designed and maintained by Webs By Suz.com Jan. 2005 - revamped Feb. 08 Domain & Hosting by Spider's Web Solutions Contents of this page copyright © Mount Stewart & Hillsborough River Association
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3. Beaconsfield Historic House was built in 1877 for James Peake Jr., a prominent shipbuilder on the Hillsborough River and a leading Charlottetown
merchant. This symbol of Victorian elegance overlooks the entrance of the
Hillsborough and is now an historic site operated by the P.E.I. Museum and
Heritage Foundation. Guided tours are offered at this site for a small fee. For
more information visit 
5. Province House National Historic Site is the Birthplace of Confederation
and is the second oldest provincial legislature in Canada. Completed in 1847,
this magnificent building was designed by Isaac Smith and is build of stone
quarried in Nova Scotia. Parks Canada staff at this site offer tours. It is
located at 165 Richmond Street and lies opposite Great George Street. For
more information visit 
12. Hillsborough River Eco-Centre celebrates the natural history and culture
of the peoples who lived within the Hillsborough River watershed. There are
displays, maps, and artifacts to entice the viewer and a loft from which to see
the Hillsborough. A map points visitors to birding and other sites of interest to
natural history and outdoor enthusiasts. The Eco-Centre is located at the
junction of Confederation Trail and Main Street in Mount Stewart and lies 28
km (18 mi) east of Charlottetown.