While pretty much all of PEI is potato country, it was the town of O'Leary where the
potato museum was planted. O'Leary is near the far western end of the Island, surrounded by, you guessed it, potato fields. As well as the world's largest collection of potato related farming implements, the museum, opened in 1967, displays interesting artefacts collected mostly from O'Leary and area, including a large collection of 19th century living room, bedroom, and kitchen artefacts. Last, but not least, the museum can be a great place to eat, as it also offers a gift shop and a restaurant that specializes in potato dishes, as well as some truly decadent desserts.
On the front to the museum building are a series of murals, both large landscapes and smaller, subject specific, ones. All are mounted to appear as photographs in an album. The series depicts the working life of the potato farmer, from clearing the land and planting the potatoes to digging and harvesting, then packing for shipment, even selling a few spuds from a small stand in front of the farm. This last is actually a quite common activity, with farm after farm on some roads selling potatoes and other fruits and vegetables at the roadside.
Unfortunately, the murals are unsigned and the museum offers no information on their history. Though the museum is only open from May 15 to October 15, one may check out the murals anytime.
About The Canadian Potato Museum
The Canadian Potato Museum celebrates all things “potato.” Located in the community of O’Leary in the western part of Prince Edward Island, the museum houses the largest collection of farm implements and machinery related to the growing and harvesting of potatoes in the world. And, it’s surrounded by fertile potato growing fields where the humble potato has played an important role in the economy for many years. The complex also includes other attractions on site such as the Heritage Chapel, the Log Barn, the Little Red Schoolhouse and the Telephone Switchboard Office.
And don’t miss the chance to get your picture taken with the World’s Largest Potato sculpture, right at the front door.
Give yourself at least an hour to visit the main facility, or stroll through the entire complex in two or three hours for a fun, worthwhile learning experience!
And don’t forget to try the fries!
From the Canadian Potato Museum