Holman’s Homestead History
Before Holman’s Ice Cream, there was the Holman family. Our business is located in the historic Holman Homestead, once home to Robert Tinson Holman, Ellen Holman, and their ten children.
R.T. Holman was a successful businessman whose Holman Department Store drew visitors from across the Maritimes to Summerside. The Homestead itself was a lively gathering place, and its gardens hosted many tea parties. They are still believed to be the oldest privately owned, continuously maintained Victorian-style gardens in North America.
After Robert and Ellen’s passing, the home was inherited by their daughters, Carrie and Gladys Holman, who lived there for the rest of their lives. More of their story can be found on the museum boards inside the building.
The Meister Family
and the Restoration
After Carrie and Gladys passed in the 1970s, the Homestead was deeded to the City of Summerside. Over time it was used for several purposes, including the International Fox Museum, apartments, offices, and a gift shop. After years of neglect, it fell into disrepair and was slated for demolition. The Summerside Historic Society approached Ken and Jenny Meister, who had previously restored the P.T. Fanning House into the Summerside Inn Bed and Breakfast. The Meisters purchased the building and undertook a full restoration, rebuilding the structure from the studs. During this time, their daughter Sarah helped develop early ice cream recipes at home on a tabletop ice cream maker—helping shape what would become Holman’s Ice Cream.
Holman’s Today
Today, Holman’s Ice Cream is a beloved Summerside destination and widely regarded as PEI’s top ice cream destinations for both locals and visitors. Guests enjoy their ice cream inside the historic Holman home or in the surrounding gardens, creating a relaxed space for gathering and memory-making.
In 2023, Ken and Jenny sold the business to their son Daniel and his wife Emmeline. As young parents, they are especially passionate about making Holman’s a welcoming, family-friendly space where people can slow down and enjoy time together—whether it’s a child’s first cone, a family walk through the gardens, or a special celebration.