SIGN
Date1964
Dimensions40 x 48.5 x 1.2 cm (15 3/4 x 19 1/8 x 1/2 in.)
Object numberXHF.2023.1.16
DescriptionA rectangular wooden sign painted white. At the top center-right is printed “Century Farm 1964” in black. To the left is a “P” shaped logo with a red curve and three blue parallel, horizontally oriented waves below. At the bottom left corner is the PEI coat of arms with “1864” above and “1964” below. Along the bottom edge are two red lines which look like gently rolling hills. One the top line is an image of a barn. Reverse is stained green Narrative
In January of 1964 the Centennial Committee, tasked with organizing celebrations in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, announced the recognition of the province's "Century Farms", those which had been registered in the same family for 100 years or more. The Committee hoped that this designation would help to create a permanent record of such farms and preserve their historical significance, with the signs themselves to be of interest to tourists. Applicants were asked to mail in their information including the location of the farm, the dates of which the farm came into the family's possession, and the type of farming practiced to the Centennial's Agricultural sub-committee by March 1st, 1964.
By May 2, 1964, an article in The Guardian newspaper identified that 370 farms had qualified for the designation. The applicants had also provided a wealth of historical information on the province's farming communities which offered "a glimpse into life in old Prince Edward Island". By July, The Guardian reported that a renewed interest in the designation had occurred once the "Century Farm" signs had been sent out and installed. A new, and firm, deadline for applications was set for July 20th and interested parties were asked to "govern themselves accordingly'.
This sign appears to be unused as the signs issued to Island farmers by the Centennial Committee included the family's name.
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