Looking back
1867-2017: CELEBRATING THE WYATT AND LEFURGEY HOUSES
The Town of Summerside’s population in 1981 was 7,708, a decline from the high mark of just over 10,000 in 1966. However, some significant strides were made during the decade through the work of the Summerside Waterfront Development Corporation (now SRDC). The reclamation of land begun in the 1970s further evolved with Harbour Drive and the Granville Street extension in 1982.
Editor’s Note: 2017 marks the 150-year existence of two architectural gems that grace Summerside’s streetscapes. The Lefurgey Cultural Centre and the Wyatt Historic House Museum, both owned by the City of Summerside, occupy a whole block between Granville and Spring Streets. Built in 1867, each building has an interesting history. In tribute to their milestone anniversaries, 15 weekly articles, focusing on decades, will highlight the changes that have taken place within their walls and in the community. The Town of Summerside’s population in 1981 was 7,708, a decline from the high mark of just over 10,000 in 1966. However, some significant strides were made during the decade through the work of the Summerside Waterfront Development Corporation (now SRDC). The reclamation of land begun in the 1970s further evolved with Harbour Drive and the Granville Street extension in 1982. Construction in the town included housing units for seniors, the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club, the Concord building (National Bank), the creation of the Town
Centre on Water Street, and an expansion of the Linkletter Inn and Convention Centre.
The town continued to develop its reputation for hosting sport competitions and in 1989 was the location for the World Junior Softball Championship. That same year, the announcement was made that CFB Summerside, the major employer in the area, would be closing in 1992. It was the first major challenge for Mayor Basil Stewart, who was elected in 1985 and
went on to serve the town for the next 29 years.
There were some interesting developments along cultural lines as well during the decade. The Holman Homestead, which had been purchased by the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation in 1975 and renovated as a rooming house for women, was sold and opened as a fox museum in 1985. The College of Piping also had its origins in the 1980s, as did the vision for a multi-purpose performing arts facility on the waterfront. Wanda Wyatt was approached in 1989 about putting money into such a venture, but responded that her focus had to be the centre on Prince Street that she had already created. Miss Wyatt’s age in 1985 was 90. Her diary entries in the early 1980s reveal that she was often tired, but by the end of the decade she was recording that she felt “very tired” or “really tired.” She gradually gave up her role as the hands-on benefactor of the Lefurgey Cultural Centre, by relinquishing to others the responsibilities of overseeing the maintenance of the two buildings, collection of rent from tenants, decisions on her stock portfolio, and the arrangements for caregivers.
She still kept an active interest in what was going on at the centre and gave instructions to the Wyatt Foundation about her estate and wishes for her legacy. She donated considerable amounts of money to various causes during the decade, but her dominant wish was the preservation of her historic houses for the benefit of Islanders. In 1989 she was named “Summerside’s Citizen of the Year,” which she deemed an honour, one which paid credit to her consistent material support of culture in the community.