MacNaught History Centre

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MacNaught History Centre and Archives is a research centre devoted to genealogy and community history for the town of Summerside and the County of Prince. It also provides a unique stepping off point for finding information on the remainder of the Island. The services available are of use to all levels and interests, from the casual researcher to the serious historian or writer. The public reading room, located on the second level of the MacNaught House, provides a comfortable area for conducting research. There are three microfilm readers available, as well as one computer for searching the census database.

Displays include a gold pocket watch that belonged to Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, a collection of historical paintings and sketches by Summerside artist John Gothard Baker, and an 1867 tintype of loyalist descendant Peter Schurman displayed with the unique cane that he was leaning on for the photo.

The collections consist of a reference library of published materials, maps, videotapes, microfilm of newspapers and other primary sources, and original documents and materials. These original materials have been gathered from individuals, organizations, and municipal authorities and are gradually being described as fonds or collections. The principal source of unique items has been the home of the Wyatt family and these innumerable items have been described as the Wanda Wyatt fonds. The Summerside and Area Historical Society collection is another valuable holding.

The Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society is a key provider of resources such as the census and cemetery transcripts that are accessible to anyone visiting the reading room.
For more information on any of the following resources to be found in the MacNaught History Centre and Archives click on the appropriate heading:

Reference library

Microfilm, inc. Master Name Index

Census records

Cemetery transcripts

Elders’ Circle Videotapes

Fond descriptions

Vertical file and in-house databases

We acknowledge the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Program, the National Archives of Canada and the Canadian Council of Archives.