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Islanders interested in knowing more about the province’s history specifically as it relates to the original survey of the Island will benefit from a series of free lectures being held as part of the Samuel Holland 250 commemorations, says Minister of Tourism and Culture Robert Henderson.

“These lectures will provide all sorts of information and insight about Samuel Holland, his life, the importance of his survey of the Island, and the profound impact that survey had on the development of the province,” said Minister Henderson. “There will also be sessions on cartography, instrumentation, surveying, astronomy and geography delivered by a mix of historians, authors, surveyors and other subject matter experts. These lectures will take place in several locations across the Island over the coming months and I encourage all Islanders interested in learning more about the history of the province to attend.”

The first lecture will take place on Thursday, February 26, at 7 p.m. in Room 21C of the Charlottetown Centre, Prince of Wales Campus of Holland College. The presenters will be Island authors and historians Boyde Beck and Georges Arsenault, along with Aubrey Bell, a local gallery owner who specializes in antique maps.

“These lectures will provide excellent learning opportunities during this very important commemoration year,” said David Keenlyside, the Chair of the volunteer committee overseeing the events. “This lecture will focus on the Holland Map, the thinking behind its creation, what it tells us about the Acadian community just before the Deportation of 1758, and how publishers reproduced it in the decades after Holland sent it to London in 1765.”

Additional commemoration activities will be announced over the coming months.

In 1764-65, surveyor Samuel Holland, Surveyor General for British North America, created the first truly modern, accurate map of Prince Edward Island. Holland’s map shaped Prince Edward Island’s settlement, patterns of land ownership, the familiar place-names that dot the landscape, and even its status as a province. The focus of the Samuel Holland 250 commemorations will be to educate Islanders and visitors about Samuel Holland, the historical significance of the map, its profound influence on the Island identity, and how it continues to define Prince Edward Island today. The commemorations will also provide an ideal opportunity to celebrate and explore Prince Edward Island.

Samuel Holland 250 supporting partners include the Province of Prince Edward Island, PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation, Holland College, University of Prince Edward Island, and Confederation Centre of the Arts, City of Summerside, City of Charlottetown and Parks Canada.

For more information on the lecture series and other events marking the 250th anniversary of Holland’s survey visit www.samuelholland250pei.com.