It was in the early 1870's that the first
pair of wild black foxes was captured near North Cape, Prince Edward Island, Canada and
attempts were made to breed them in captivity. Early efforts met with little success.
In 1883 Charles Dalton of Tignish, P.E.I. managed to successfully breed a pair of silver
foes, and his studies laid the foundations for the building of new industry. In 1890
Dalton began a partnership with a native New Brunsiwkcer, Robert Oulton, to establish a
fox ranch on Oulton's Island and continue the work of perfecting the man-made habitat
which would allow for successful fur farm Before this time, no fur-bearing wild animal had
been successfuly bred in captivity on an ongoing basis. The research conducted by Dalton
and Oulton which made their enterprise successful, is the basis for the whole fur-farming
industry world-wide.
In the late 1970's a small group of interested citizens in Summerisde,
P.E.I. first conceived the possibility of a museum which would permanently portray the
important heritage of a world-wide industry founded 100 years earlier on the Island.
In early 1984 a non-profit, charitable organization was created with the goal of
establishing a permanent facility which would "tell the story."
In the Fall of 1984 the organization purchased a historic Summerside landmark, the Holman
Homestead, to house the museum. This building was originally the home of one of
Summerside's early mercantile princes, R.T. Holman, the founder of R.T. Holman Ltd.
In late 1987 the Fox Heritage Fund was established by the Interntional Fox Hall of Fame
and Museum, Inc., a non-profit charitable organization, to provide a vehicle for
corporations, foundations, and individuals to support the telling of this important story.
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Photographs, text displays, video presentations
and informed tour guides present the particularities and challenges of capturing, feeding
and pelting these prized animals. |
The "Hall of Fame" (not pictured)
provides background information on some of the individuals responsible for initiating and
maintaining the fox industry on the Island and internationally. |
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This antique weathervane is just one example of
the many fox-related icons which appeared during the "Fox Fever" of the late
1800s on Prince Edward Island. |
| The International Fox Museum & Hall of Fame Inc. |
| Hours: |
- Open May to September from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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- Year round by appointment.
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| Tel: (902) 436-2400 |
| Off-Season: (902) 436-1589 or (902) 436-9547 |
| World Wide Web: |
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| E-Mail: email@address.com |
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