History of the Farm

The Experimental Farm was established in 1909 by the Canadian government. Later it was
designated as the “Charlottetown Research Station” and today ( 2006) its official title is the
“Crops and Livestock Research Centre”. However, the popular name is still the Experimental
Farm.

The land on which the Experimental Farm is located was one of the lots of the Common
surrounding the town of Charlottetown in the original survey done in the 1700's. This lot was
granted to the Attorney General for the Island, Sir William Johnston about 1820.Sir William
ordered the construction of a house, Ravenwood, in the early 1820's. When Prince Edward Island
entered Confederation in 1873, the Premier, the Honourable James C. Pope and his family,
occupied Ravenwood. Surrounding Ravenwood, were gardens, a cricket pitch, and a hop garden
to supply Mr. Pope’s personal brewery.

North of the present buildings, there is a row of trees along what was once “Pottery Lane”. In
1880 the Charlottetown Brick and Pottery Works was established near here. This site was
apparently chosen because of the presence of a deposit of brick clay. This pottery was in
production for about 15 years. However, the pottery clay did not glaze well, and ultimately the
plant closed.

A painting by Robert Harris illustrates Mount Edward road between Ravenwood and Ardgowan
about the time of Confederation. This painting
is owned by the Confederation Centre Art
Gallery.

In 1909, the Canadian Government assumed control of the property to establish an Experimental
Farm.