the hidden island

On the Paper Trail: Annotating Archives with John Boylan

*Editor's Note: Apologies for the hissing noise, all! Other episodes in the season won't be like this, but this was indeed a hardware and environmental-related issue that struck our equipment at the time of recording and was not caught. There's still some fantastic conversations to be had here, so thank you very much in advance for the continued support and for bearing with us this one time. :)*
Why do we keep archives? Who uses them? What kind of material can you find there?
Hosts Matthew McRae and Samantha Kelly are joined by archivist John Boylan to answer these questions and more. Listen in and discover how the province’s Public Archives and Records Office (PARO) opens a window onto our past, and why any visit to the archives can quickly turn into an exciting history mystery.
John Boylan has been working in Island heritage since the 1980s. After stints with the PEI Museum, Provincial Heritage Office, and the City of Charlottetown he was hired as the Public Services Archivist at the Public Archives and Records Office of Prince Edward Island in 2006. John has a diploma in museum studies from Algonquin College and a master’s degree in archival studies from the University of British Columbia. 
 

Dimetro-Do's and Dimetro-Don'ts: Prehistoric PEI, with Laura MacNeil

What if we told you PEI was once home to prehistoric creatures older than dinosaurs? Join hosts Matthew McRae, Lesley Caseley, and special guest Laura MacNeil, owner of Prehistoric Island Tours, as they uncover the not-so-secret facts of Prince Edward Island’s prehistoric past and answer burning questions like: Why is the Island becoming a fossil hotspot? Are we related to dimetrodons, and did they use their sails to flirt with each other? And what the heck are Laura’s favourite fossils?
This episode is brought to you by The Architects Association of PEI, Confederation Center of the Arts, Provincial Credit Union, and The Grey Group.
Laura MacNeil is a geologist born and raised in Alexandra, P.E.I. and founder of Prehistoric Island Tours, our province's first venue that provides guided shoreline tours on our rich 290-million-year-old geological heritage. Her professional experience is in Earth science communication, having worked as an educator at World-renowned museums such as Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site in Joggins, N.S., and the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, AB. Laura completed her M.Sc. in geology at Acadia University, Nova Scotia, and B.Sc. in geology at Queen's University, Ontario.
In 2016 Laura discovered the first fossil evidence of Dimetrodon borealis trackways on P.E.I., a sail-backed apex predator that roamed our province's prehistoric landscapes 290 million years ago.

Aw, shucks! All about Oysters with Jason Woodside

Discover the delicious history of raising, harvesting – and shucking – oysters on Prince Edward Island! Host Samantha Kelly is joined by Jason Woodside, oyster-shucking champion and inventor of the banjo knife. Together, they delve into the story of how our relationship with oysters started, how it became a globe-spanning industry and the ins and outs of our relationship with oysters in the present day.

The ballad of Wally P: PEI’s first Governor – with Evelyn Bradley and Shawn Hogan, Pt. 2

We are kick-starting the season with an exciting two-part episode: Podcast host Matthew McRae tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of Walter Patterson, Prince Edward Island's first Governor. Laugh and learn co-host Evelyn Bradley as well as guest comedian Shawn Hogan. 
Did you know that privateers kidnapped our government? Or that Patterson gave an island off the coast of the island to his girlfriend? Or that he invented the “fresh cookies” scent for homes? Okay, maybe that last one isn’t true, but still.
Patterson's legacies of leadership, shady real-estate practices and questionable decision-making culminate into a story that is as humourous as it is outrageous – enjoy parts 1 and 2 of the ballad of Wally P!

The ballad of Wally P: PEI’s first Governor – with Evelyn Bradley and Shawn Hogan, Pt. 1

We are kick-starting the season with an exciting two-part episode: Podcast host Matthew McRae tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of Walter Patterson, Prince Edward Island's first Governor. Laugh and learn co-host Evelyn Bradley as well as guest comedian Shawn Hogan. 
Did you know that privateers kidnapped our government? Or that Patterson gave an island off the coast of the island to his girlfriend? Or that he invented the “fresh cookies” scent for homes? Okay, maybe that last one isn’t true, but still.
Patterson's legacies of leadership, shady real-estate practices and questionable decision-making culminate into a story that is as humourous as it is outrageous – enjoy parts 1 and 2 of the ballad of Wally P!

season 5 sneak peek

Discover the new season of Canadian Time Machine: In the Shadow of Green Gables: L.M. Montgomery's Life and Legacy

The Hidden Island - in partnership with our friends at The Walrus Labs - presents a hosting collaboration for their podcast episode of Canadian Time Machine, recognizing and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of known PEI author Lucy Maud Montgomery.
From The Walrus Labs:
"November 30, 2024 marks 150 years since Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birth, and her legacy continues to endure. Best known for Anne of Green Gables, Montgomery created characters that embody resilience and imagination. In this episode of Canadian Time Machine, her granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler, shares family stories, preserves her grandmother’s legacy, and reads from Emily of New Moon, which she views as Montgomery’s most personal work.
"The episode also explores her influence, her personal struggles, and Dr. Jessica Katz Edison’s insight into how Montgomery’s work resonates with neurodivergent audiences, long before such language existed.
"More episodes of Canadian Time Machine are available at: https://lnkfi.re/canadian-time-machine. To read episode transcripts in both French and English and explore more historic Canadian milestones, visit https://www.thewalrus.ca/canadianheritage. A French counterpart of the show, Voyages dans l'histoire canadienne, is also available—if you're bilingual and looking for more, head to https://lnkfi.re/Voyages-dans-lhistoire-canadienne."

from East to West, a voyage of Chinese Islanders

Did you know that Chinese Islanders have been living on Prince Edward Island since as early as 1850? Trista Jiali Liang and Camellia Nguyen take us back in time to discuss the history of Chinese immigration to Canada and PEI, and how Asian immigration has contributed to a resilient and culturally diverse Island community. The book "Chinese Islanders: Making a Home in the New World" by Dr. Hung-Min Chiang was referenced throughout this episode.
Features guest interviews: Jerry Wang (UPEI), Kevin MacLean (Orwell Corner Historic House)