Orwell Corner deserves better

As published by The Guardian on September 23rd, 2010
Editor:

We have been summer visitors to the Island for many years, and each year we look forward to visiting Orwell Corner Historic Village. This is one of the big highlights of our visit. It is sheer magic to visit Orwell – the staff are exceptional and very authentic in their roles and help visitors be transported back in the past to see what the Island was like then, and how Islanders and Lucy Maud Montgomery might have lived in that time. Sitting in the schoolhouse you can imagine Anne Shirley in school.

Unfortunately, it is apparent that over the years funding to Orwell has decreased which shows in the neglect of buildings, the cutbacks in staff and the general disrepair of much of the Orwell Corner site. This is an Island heritage treasure and one of the places that Islanders and visitors go to find the real history of the Island. Children visiting Orwell connect to a living past because it offers a hands-on experience. Museums are great, but children need interactive exhibits to bring history alive for them. In New Brunswick there is King’s Landing and in Nova Scotia, Ross Farm – these appear to get adequate funding to maintain the sites.

I read about your future provincial museum, and while this is an admirable idea, I would ask the government of P.E.I. not to neglect its valuable existing heritage sites. Orwell is a place tourists and visitors seek out for an authentic Island agricultural experience of the past – not available anywhere else. With more advertising and adequate funding Orwell Corner can be a much-sought-out attraction.

The P.E.I. government in the last year has signed a three-year contract with Cirque de Soleil at $250,000 a year and they gave $800,000 for Live! With Regis and Kelly. These investments admittedly bring in more tourists, but a long-term vision for maintaining heritage sites will bring in far more visitors in the long run.

Cultural tourism is the culture of the Island – past, present and future. I hope the government supports this, and gives Orwell Corner Heritage site the finding and support this Island treasure deserves.

Gillian Robinson,

Halifax