September 12, 2025 Mount Stewart, PEI Parks Canada
As the author of An Account of Prince Edward Island (1806), John Stewart (1758-1834) made an important contribution to the understanding and interpretation of the Island's history, ecology, and natural resources.
Today, Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada commemorated the national historic significance of John Stewart with a special ceremony to unveil a plaque at the Hillsborough River Eco-Centre in Mount Stewart. The plaque commemorating John Stewart is trilingual-English, French and Mi'kmaq-aligning with the series of trilingual Canadian Heritage Rivers plaques located along the Hillsborough River.
Known as "Hellfire Jack" for his fiery temperament, Stewart was an author, politician, and office holder who had a considerable influence on early colonial Prince Edward Island. Regarded as the Island's first historian, Stewart wrote An Account of Prince Edward Island that included a historical overview of the Island, a detailed description of its geography and resources, and an outline of the growth of European settlement. The book also includes encyclopedic descriptions of Island flora and fauna before European agricultural practices came to dominate the landscape. The book contains only brief references to Mi'kmaw culture. Nevertheless, Stewart's Account had a lasting impact on understandings of the Island's history and ecology, while also reflecting a perspective that undoubtedly affected communities like the Mi'kmaq and Roman Catholic islanders.
The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,270 designations have been made nationwide.
National historic designations illustrate the defining moments in the story of Canada. Together, they tell the stories of who we are and connect us to our past, enriching our understanding of ourselves, each other, and our country. Heritage places provide a wide range of cultural, social, economic, and environmental benefits to their communities.
