(freelance writer and culinary consultant)
Ardgowan, A Journal of House and Garden
"In Victorian Prince Edward Island"
(published by Seacroft, Charlottetown, P.E.I.)
Ardgowan, A Journal of House and Garden in Victorian Prince Edward Island, offers readers a glimpse into life in the home of William H. Pope and his wife Helen during the 1860"s. One of the Fathers of Confederation, W.H. Pope and his large family, lived on this country estate as he pursued a career as a politician and entrepreneur.
As the book unfolds, the author takes readers on a tour of Charlottetown in 1864 giving a glimpse of day to day life: winter traveling, gardening, games played by children and adults, fashion, social etiquette and more. Chapters on each of the seasons focus on social activities that the family would have enjoyed: picnics, garden parties, the pomp and circumstance of the Charlottetown Conference that began the Confederation process, and yule season holidays. As well, each of the seasonal chapters contains recipes, garden information, household hints and medicinal "receipts".
The final chapter of the book looks at the preservation of the house and gardens, work done by Parks Canada to establish the house as a Historic Site and what visitors will find when visiting Ardgowan today.
Sketches and artwork by Deborah Ann Smeltzer and the writing of Julie V. Watson have been presented by designer Beth Smith in work representative of a journal or scrapbook that might have been kept by the lady of the house, or the housekeeper. By recreating newspaper clippings, invitations and artwork of the day, the creative team entertain and bring to life the household of Victorian Prince Edward Island.
Front Cover Illustration by Deborah Ann Smeltzer