Prince Edward Island is a place out of time, a place behind the time, a place resting in time: Cradled on the waves, as the indigenous Mi’kmaq called it. PEI has a long history with our Ontario-based family having road-tripped out many times in our childhood. My father and my brother, and their families, have now moved out there, and my sister says her family will retire out there, as well.
The Island is beautiful in an almost pastoral painting sense and so set in rustic context that, after a few trips, I could only imagine what it looked like a long time ago, when it was even more cut off from modern mainland advances and conveniences. It was only a few years shy of the turn of the millennium in 1997 when ferries gave way to a bridge to the mainland. What did it look like in the 1960s and 70s when it captured my father’s attention and ever brought us back there on family vacations.
I was happy to find some vintage film board and 8mm and 16mm video posted to YouTube showing what Prince Edward Island looked like 50, 60, and 70 years ago.
If you find the Island aesthetic appealing or you happen to like Anne of Green Gables then check this out: YouTube Finds: Anne of Green Gables Ghibli-style Japanese Anime from 1979 (Full Series).