As most of you know, well-known Canadian musician Stompin' Tom Connors died last week in Ontario at the age of 77. Stompin' Tom was born in Saint John, New Brunswick. When he was a boy he went to live with the Aylward family in Skinner's Pond, West Prince County, Prince Edward Island - a community filled with Acadian and Irish culture.
In the 1980's Stompin' Tom bought the old Skinner's Pond school and opened it as a museum to his life's story. In 1990 and 1998 CBC PEI did two stories on him which showed his Unity Tour to Summerside and a tour of the schoolhouse -
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I grew up about 10 miles from Skinner's Pond and would occasionally travel the shore road through Skinner's Pond. On the old school property Stompin' Tom had his truck on display - the truck he used to travel/tour across Canada. I remember it sat there for years and became very dilapidated! ![]()
Skinners Pond: Adjacent to Northumberland Strait, Lot 1. Said to be names for a captain shipwrecked there. Also said to be derived from etang des Peaux, "skin pond". In Bayfield 1847. Wyld 1845 Stephens Inlet. 4 mi W of Tignish in Lot 1. PO 1856-1861 and 1867-1914.
In the 1980's Stompin' Tom bought the old Skinner's Pond school and opened it as a museum to his life's story. In 1990 and 1998 CBC PEI did two stories on him which showed his Unity Tour to Summerside and a tour of the schoolhouse -
Image above cf. http://steprobin.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/prince-edward-island-eastern-pei-king%E2%80%99s-county-july-14-qnd-15/
A few years ago Stompin' Tom closed the schoolhouse to the public, however, it still attacks many visitors.
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Skinner’s Pond Historic Sites & Interpretive Centres
Skinner’s Pond Schoolhouse
This is the oldest original schoolhouse on P.E.I. There are several displays about the school’s history and also one about legendary Canadian singer Stompin’ Tom Connors who was a student here. A gift shop with unique P.E.I. souvenirs is also at the school.
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I never knew this old school had so much historical value - below is a plaque,located in the front yard of the schoolhouse, telling its story.
Image cf. http://photo.net/off-topic-forum/00bQSq
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There's alot of information on the web about Stompin' Tom - one such is Wikipedia. Check it out - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stompin'_Tom_Connors* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Skinner's Pond - where did it get its' names - below comes from Geographical Place Names of Prince Edward Island by Alan Rayburn, page 114.Skinners Pond: Adjacent to Northumberland Strait, Lot 1. Said to be names for a captain shipwrecked there. Also said to be derived from etang des Peaux, "skin pond". In Bayfield 1847. Wyld 1845 Stephens Inlet. 4 mi W of Tignish in Lot 1. PO 1856-1861 and 1867-1914.