Originally posted to Earle’s PEI History page on Facebook on March 24, 2025
This captivating photograph from 1901 transports us to Crowlands, the elegant residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bayfield, nestled on North River Road, Charlottetown. Posing proudly with their horses and carriages, the men, women, and children in this image reflect the grace and charm of a bygone era. 🏡🐎
Crowlands stood not just as a home but as a symbol of a vibrant community, where families gathered, and daily life unfolded in the gentle rhythms of a bygone time. Today, it evokes nostalgia for PEI’s rural charm and the enduring legacy of its history.
The Bayfields were part of Charlottetown’s vibrant community, and their home, Crowlands, stood as a symbol of the island’s rural elegance.
The photograph, taken by C. Lewis, beautifully captures the essence of life at the turn of the century, where horse-drawn carriages were the height of transportation and family gatherings were the heart of daily life.
Photographers like C. Lewis played a pivotal role in preserving the stories and moments of Prince Edward Island’s past. In the early 20th century, when photography was still a relatively new art form, capturing an image was a deliberate and significant process. These images documented not just people and places but the evolving essence of community, culture, and daily life.
Through their lenses, photographers became historians, freezing moments in time that might otherwise have faded into memory. Their work provides us with a window into history, allowing us to see how people lived, dressed, and connected with their surroundings.
Today, this photograph, part of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation collection, reminds us of the power of photography to tell stories, evoke emotions, and keep history alive for generations to come
The Annekenstein Monster 