BUILDING STONE

CultureCanadian

Datec. 1932

Dimensions12 x 49.5 x 13 cm (4 3/4 x 19 1/2 x 5 1/8 in.)

Object numberHF.2020.17.1

DescriptionA large, rectangular grey stone with 6 sides taken from the site of the Prince Edward Hospital on 5 Brighton Road, Charlottetown. The exterior side has an uneven surface, while the remaining sides are relatively flat with remnants of grey-white mortar and many scratches on the surface. On the base positioned to the right of center are carved the number “36”.
Narrative

Constructed in 1932 and located at 5 Brighton Road, Charlottetown, the Prince Edward Hospital was intended to alleviate overcrowding at the previous hospital located on Kensington Road. Ownership of the land on which the hospital would be constructed was the topic of debate for several years between the Lieutenant Governor and government of Prince Edward Island. In 1931 the property was set aside by the government of Walter Maxfield Lea at the frustration of Lieutenant Governor who stated the land was "stolen from behind closed doors".

The Prince Edward Hospital served Islanders until 1982 when the Queen Elizabeth Hospital opened as the province's modern acute care facility. The hospital then transitioned into the Prince Edward Home, a 131-bed health care facility. In 2019 demolition of the building began after having been vacant since 2015. A time capsule was found during demolition containing a newspaper and program from the laying of the cornerstone the day the building opened in 1932.