My Family Tree

John Watson MacNaught (1904-1984) grew up in Coleman, Prince Edward Island, one of four sons born to Robert Charles MacNaught (1870-1951) and Emily Morehead (1874-1950). He obtained a B.A. in 1928 and LL.B. in 1930 from Dalhousie University where he met his future wife Eva Palmer (d. 2000), daughter of W.E. Palmer of Halifax. They married 11 May 1932, moved to Summerside from Kensington in 1935 and had two sons, John William Palmer (d. 1996) and David Alexander. (PEI Archives)

Description of Historic Place

The MacNaught House is a Georgian style house with Gothic Revival features located in the midst of the City of Summerside’s heritage district. It is one of three homes that comprise the Wyatt Heritage Properties. The designation includes the building and its property.
Heritage Value

The heritage value of the MacNaught house lies in its association with two prominent Summerside citizens. Land surveyor John Clay, who also served as Deputy Sheriff and Superintendent of Public Works in Prince County, built this Georgian style home in 1887. Summerside lawyer J. Watson MacNaught purchased the home in 1957. He served four terms as a Liberal MP, and was appointed Solicitor General in 1963 and Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys in 1965.

The heritage value of the home is continued in its new use as the MacNaught History Centre and Archives, a repository for local and genealogical research materials and archives for Wyatt Heritage Properties.

Source: City of Summerside Heritage Property Profile