Friday 2 May 2014

BECONSFIELD — A HOUSE FROZEN IN TIME

Beconsfield, PEI, Canada
There are many beautiful homes in Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island, Canada Most have been around for many decades and carry a history within its walls. 
However, the most striking home in the whole of Charlottetown is one where nobody resides.
The buttery-yellow and white coloured Beaconsfield home is a remarkable two-storied structure built in 1877. It was built for a rich shipbuilder, James and his wife Edith Peake.
Stepping into the house, you can’t help but travel back in time.
Three things captivate you immediately:
  1. It is a house of stunning wall papers and carpets in rich hues! Each and every room is covered with reams and reams of intricately designed wall papers. 
  2. The outstanding craftsmanship of all the things in the house -from furniture to pictures, trinkets, clocks, door hinges, accessories and of course…the carpets.
  3. Lastly, every room is frozen in time.
  4. It's a house filled with exquisite carpets and wallpaper
Though the lavish interiors do not scream, you cannot help but sense that the house exudes a subtle knowingness of its extravagance.
As I walked from room to room -living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, tea room, sewing room, nursery, study, master bedroom, guest bedrooms and…some more rooms- I couldn’t help but feel melancholic. If maybe, you stood still for a moment, you might…just a teeny-weeny-bit might…hear the sighs and whispers of sadness and hope of the people who lived under its roof eons ago.

The sewing room
Apparently, the Peakes were not able to enjoy the fruits of their labor for long. James’ business failed and he fell into financial hardship; the house had to be auctioned off along with all that it held. James Peake walked out of the house that he so lovingly built with only the clothes on his back (and maybe a toothbrush). It is said he died soon after, lonely and poor.
The house was bought by Henry Cundall who was unable to sell the house and finally decided to move into Beaconsfield in 1833 along with his two sisters. None of the Cundalls ever married. After Henry Cundall’s death the house was used as a young ladies’ residence. It then became Cundall Home –a residence for student nurses.
Dining room leading to the pantry and the kitchen
Today it is under the care of PEI Heritage and Museum Foundation. And is used to host concerts, lectures and special events in the Carriage House attached to the home and in the surrounding grounds of the house which overlooks the waterfront –a stunning view! If you are a lover of all things historic, heritage and fine craftsmanship, and also a sucker of 'stories of eons' then The Beconsfield house should be on your list of 'must-see'.
Here are some pictures that I took of the Beaconsfield home:
Informal living room

Formal living room


One of the many bedrooms


The nursery


Gardens. The house overlooks the waterfront


For more information check Our Island story — One museum, seven sites

Thanks to Prince Edward Island Tourism for their hospitality. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own. 

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