Cultural conversion
The history series marking the 150th anniversaries of the Lefurgey Cultural Centre and the Wyatt Historic House continues
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, with Prince Street to the south and Winter Street to the north. 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. This is the 12th in that series. The 1970s were perhaps the busiest years in the life of Wanda Wyatt.
In 1966, she had acquired the house that had belonged to her grandparents, but she still had no concrete plans for the property at the beginning of 1970, which was the year she turned 75.
Her desire to use the former Lefurgey house for some purpose in the community got some traction in July 1970 when Ardis Desborough, a local artist, expressed an interest in creating a cultural centre. In September she and her husband, Bob, moved into the rooms on the first floor, and soon Ardis began to offer art classes.
Things progressed slowly, the second floor being available for the Desboroughs in 1972. The following year, an apartment was ready on the third floor and by 1976 there was also an apartment on the second storey of the kitchen wing. Tenants came and went, including the Desboroughs, but Ardis agreed to continue to look after arranging classes.
The ownership changed in 1973 when the deed was transferred to the Wyatt Foundation, but Wanda still covered the cost of renovating and maintaining the property. Extensive renovations were made over the 10 years, including wiring and plumbing.
In a diary entry in 1976 she wondered, “…if it is all worth the effort and expense.” There were numerous problems with the upkeep and the tenants, and a constant struggle to find funding to offer classes in art and handcrafts. Over the span of the ‘70s, there was instruction in painting, weaving, pottery, caning, needlecraft and quilting, and the house was used regularly for art and craft exhibitions.
The building was named Lefurgey Cultural Centre in 1972.
Miss Wyatt was busy in other aspects of her life. Her own home required maintenance and the yards of both properties needed continual attention. She had new responsibilities as one of the founding members of P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation in 1970 and was very engaged in the local and provincial arenas as a heritage advocate.
On a personal level, her livein companion, Dorothy Archibald, became ill and died in 1977. Wanda was once more alone, but had the assistance of various housekeepers. Her days were filled with meetings, bridge games, appointments, trips, and funerals.
The town of Summerside was making significant strides in the 1970s. It opened a pollution control plant and a new police station, and carried out an extensive waterfront development. New enterprises in the community included the Fisheries and Marine Training Centre, the Summerside Mall, the Waterfront Mall, and the Yacht Club marina.
Citizens celebrated the 1973 Centennial for the province, and in 1977 the town carried out special activities to mark the 100th anniversary of incorporation, the legacy of that year being a commissioned history of Summerside, “Down at the Shore.”