Sherwood Home time capsule reveals Island history
Islanders got a rare glimpse into the past today as a time capsule from the former Sherwood Home was opened and its contents revealed.
The capsule was discovered during the recent decommissioning of the Sherwood Home site on Murchison Lane in Charlottetown. It had been sealed beneath the building’s cornerstone since the facility was constructed in 1962.
“This is a unique piece of Island health history. Many Islanders came together in the late 1950s to build the Sherwood Home. For decades, it played a vital role in Prince Edward Island’s long‑term care system, supporting people with physical and intellectual disabilities who required residential or respite care.”
- Health and Wellness Minister Cory Deagle
Contents of the time capsule (all dated 1962) included:
- A full edition of The Guardian newspaper
- Several newspaper clippings about the opening of Sherwood Home
- One penny coin
- One report to the Minister of Health
- One letter to the Minister of Health
“Time capsules like this help us understand who we were and how we got here. These items offer a snapshot of life on Prince Edward Island at a particular moment in time and preserving them ensures future generations can learn from and connect with that history.”
- Fisheries, Rural Development and Tourism Minister Ernie Hudson
The capsule was found in a small cavity beneath the cornerstone of the building. It was carefully removed by provincial government staff and transferred to PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation under the care of the Provincial Collections Facility for inspection and preservation.
Media Contact:
Autumn Tremere
Health and Wellness
agtremere@gov.pe.ca
Marla Morrison
Fisheries, Rural Development and Tourism
marlamorrison@gov.pe.ca
Background
About the Sherwood Home:
- Sherwood Home was constructed in 1962, with the cornerstone laid on July 18 of that year.
- For many years, the facility served as a residential home providing enhanced care for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- When Sherwood Home closed in 2021, its nine residents were relocated to Prince Edward Home.
- The building has remained vacant since its closure in 2021.
- Demolition of the former Sherwood Home began in March 2026 and was awarded to Island Coastal Services Ltd.
- Demolition work is expected to be completed by mid-October 2026.