List of museums in Prince Edward Island facts for kids

A museum is a special place where interesting objects from the past or present are collected, cared for, and shown to the public. These objects can be about history, art, science, or culture. In Prince Edward Island (PEI), you can find many different kinds of museums, including art galleries and places that show off local history. This list tells you about some of the cool museums you can visit on the island.

Museums in Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is home to many museums that tell stories about its past, its people, and its unique culture. From historic homes to places dedicated to farming or the sea, there's a lot to explore!

History and Culture Museums

These museums focus on the history and culture of PEI and its people.

• Acadian Museum in Miscouche: This museum shares the rich history and culture of the Acadian people who settled in PEI. It's run by the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation.
• Alberton Museum in Alberton: Discover the local history of the Alberton area.
• Bedeque Area Historical Museum in Bedeque and Area: Learn about the history of the Bedeque area.
• Bishop's Machine Shop Museum in Summerside: See a historic machine shop and old tools. It's operated by Wyatt Heritage Properties.
• Farmers' Bank of Rustico in Rustico: This museum is located in a former rural bank and tells the story of local history. You can also see the nearby pioneer Doucet House.
• Garden of the Gulf Museum in Montague: Explore the history of the Montague area.
• International Fox Museum in Summerside: Learn about the history of fox farming in the area. It's operated by Wyatt Heritage Properties.
• Keir Memorial Museum in Malpeque: This museum shares the local history of Malpeque.
• Lennox Island Mi'kmaq Cultural Centre on Lennox Island: Discover the history and culture of the Mi'kmaq people, the Indigenous people of this land.
• Macnaught History Centre in Summerside: This center focuses on local history and is operated by Wyatt Heritage Properties.
• Orwell Corner Historic Village in Orwell: Step back in time to an 1890s village! It also includes the PEI Agricultural Heritage Museum.
• Prince Edward Island Regimental Museum in Charlottetown: Learn about the history of The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC).
• Province House National Historic Site in Charlottetown: This important building is known as the birthplace of Canadian Confederation and has been the home of PEI's government since 1847.
• Tignish Cultural Centre in Tignish: Explore the local history of Tignish.
• Tryon Museum in Tryon: This museum shares the local history of the Tryon area.

Historic Homes

These museums let you explore homes from the past, often linked to famous people or important events.

• Anne of Green Gables Museum in Park Corner (near Cavendish): Known as "Silver Bush," this was the 19th-century home of the aunt and uncle of author Lucy Maud Montgomery.
• Beaconsfield Historic House in Charlottetown: Step inside a beautiful late 19th-century Victorian mansion.
• Bideford Parsonage Museum in Bideford: This late 19th-century Victorian parsonage is where author Lucy Maud Montgomery lived while teaching at the local school.
• Green Gables in Park Corner (near Cavendish): This 19th-century farm and house was the setting for the famous Anne of Green Gables novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
• Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace in New London: Visit the mid-19th-century home where author Lucy Maud Montgomery was born. It has many of her belongings and artifacts.
• Lucy Maud Montgomery Heritage Museum in Park Corner (near Cavendish): This mid-19th-century family home, known as "Ingleside," belonged to author Lucy Maud Montgomery's family.
• Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell: Explore the early 20th-century home of Andrew Macphail, a famous physician, author, and soldier.
• Wyatt House Museum in Summerside: This 19th-century home is filled with furnishings from over 100 years. It's operated by Wyatt Heritage Properties.

Maritime Museums

PEI has a strong connection to the sea. These museums celebrate its maritime heritage.

• Basin Head Fisheries Museum in Souris: Learn about the fishing industry in PEI.
• Cape Bear Lighthouse & Marconi Museum in Murray Harbour: Visit a historic lighthouse, see a replica of the Cape Bear Marconi Station, and learn about local history.
• Green Park Shipbuilding Museum in Port Hill: Discover the history of the shipbuilding industry and see the 19th-century shipbuilder's Yeo House.
• Victoria Seaport Lighthouse Museum in Victoria: Explore this historic lighthouse and its maritime exhibits.
• West Point Lighthouse Museum in West Point: This restored lighthouse also serves as an inn!
• Wood Islands Lighthouse Museum in Wood Islands: See a lighthouse and the living quarters of lighthouse keepers from the 1950s, learning about the area's maritime history.

Art and Culture Centers

These places celebrate art and offer various cultural experiences.

• Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown: This art museum is part of the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
• Eptek Art & Culture Centre in Summerside: This center features changing exhibits on art, science, culture, and history.

Specialized and Unique Museums

From cars to potatoes, these museums focus on specific interesting topics!

• Car Life Museum in Bonshaw: See a collection of restored cars and old farm machinery.
• Ellerslie Shellfish Museum in Bideford: Learn about the shellfish industry in the area.
• Elmira Railway Museum in Elmira: Discover the history of the island's railway.
• Fantazmagoric Museum of the Strange and Unusual in Cavendish: This museum is all about strange and unusual things!
• Lucy Maud Montgomery School Museum in Lower Bedeque: This museum is a re-creation of the one-room schoolhouse where author Lucy Maud Montgomery once taught.
• North Cape Wind Energy Interpretive Centre in North Cape: Learn about wind energy, local history, culture, and natural history.
• Prince Edward Island Potato Museum in O'Leary: Discover the history of the potato, potato farming, and old farm equipment. It also has a barn, chapel, and schoolhouse.
• Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in Summerside: Celebrate the achievements of PEI's athletes and sports history.
• Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Cavendish: This museum features odd and amazing exhibits from around the world.

Defunct museums

These museums are no longer open:

• Founders Hall, Charlottetown, closed in 2016.
• Great Island Science & Adventure Park, Cavendish, closed in 2009.

See also

• Nature centres in Prince Edward Island