The book
Anne of Green Gables, a children’s novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), was published in 1908. Born in Cavendish in the Gulf of St Lawrence off Canada’s east coast, Montgomery wrote a charming coming-of-age story about a spirited and unconventional orphan girl who found a home with elderly siblings, became a classic of children’s literature. Back in 2006 I specifically nominated this book as the most influential book in my childhood.
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The fictional siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, lived on a fictional farm in the fictional village of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. As they were ageing, they needed help on their Green Gables farm, they applied to adopt a boy from an orphanage. But by mistake a red-haired, freckled 11-year-old girl Anne Shirley was sent to the siblings. While Matthew instantly took to Anne, Marilla was unsure about keeping her. But the imaginative Anne gradually transformed the prim lives of Matthew and Marilla; they came to view her as a daughter.
However not everything about Avonlea was perfect, and the quick-tempered Anne had 2 adversaries: the hypercritical Rachel Lynde, who she eventually won over, and Gilbert Blythe, a classmate who insulted Anne because of her red hair. She was sensitive about the redness, and this set off a long-simmering feud. The two only became friends by late in the story and married (later).
Impulsive Anne had many misadventures. However she matured during the book, and when Matthew died, Anne waived college to care for Marilla who was going blind. Showing no bitterness, Anne cheerfully welcomed her new role, expecting great happiness.
Anne of Green Gables had apparently been inspired by a newspaper story, and Montgomery filled the work with her own girlhood experiences, and with the rural life and traditions of Prince Edward Island. Although initially rejected by several publishers, the novel became a huge success. Mark Twain fondly compared Anne to Lewis Carroll’s Alice.
Although Montgomery wasn’t particularly interested in extending the story, she did write Anne of Avonlea (1909) that traced Anne’s life from girlhood to motherhood. Later Anne of Green Gables was adapted for film, stage and tv.
Green Gables Heritage Place
The site is located in the National Park, sandy beaches and green farmland on Prince Edward Island’s north shore, only 40 ks north of provincial capital Charlottetown. NB that it is only open from May-Sept; the best activities are in July-Aug.
Built in successive stages between 1831-70, the one-and-a-half storey, L-shape house is topped by a gable roof with a dormer window on the front façade; a small vestibule entrance; wooden frames clad in white painted shingles; wooden sash windows had green shutters as well as the green gable ends. Montgomery actually used the farmhouse and C19th gardens as the inspiration and setting for her famous novel.
Opened in the 1970s, the interior of the house has since been reconstructed to appear as it did in the 1908 novel. So start at the Green Gables Visitor Centre, a bright, modern building with services for guests, including the welcome desk, lobby, gift shop and Butter Churn Café. Inside the Visitor Centre, the Exhibit Hall is an attractive space with exhibits that explore the life and writing career of LM Montgomery, the writing of Anne of Green Gables and the ongoing impact of her writing on a local and national scale.
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Cavendish is of interest because Montgomery was born there, in a modest clapboard cottage, but also because the quiet settlement was the inspiration for fictional Avonlea. Together with Green Gables Heritage Place, it forms the L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site.
Recommendations for Anne of Green Gables Tours, Trips & Tickets
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Anne of Green Gables, a children’s novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), was published in 1908. Born in Cavendish in the Gulf of St Lawrence off Canada’s east coast, Montgomery wrote a charming coming-of-age story about a spirited and unconventional orphan girl who found a home with elderly siblings, became a classic of children’s literature. Back in 2006 I specifically nominated this book as the most influential book in my childhood.
Green Gables
Anne's bedroom
Green Gables
The fictional siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, lived on a fictional farm in the fictional village of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. As they were ageing, they needed help on their Green Gables farm, they applied to adopt a boy from an orphanage. But by mistake a red-haired, freckled 11-year-old girl Anne Shirley was sent to the siblings. While Matthew instantly took to Anne, Marilla was unsure about keeping her. But the imaginative Anne gradually transformed the prim lives of Matthew and Marilla; they came to view her as a daughter.
However not everything about Avonlea was perfect, and the quick-tempered Anne had 2 adversaries: the hypercritical Rachel Lynde, who she eventually won over, and Gilbert Blythe, a classmate who insulted Anne because of her red hair. She was sensitive about the redness, and this set off a long-simmering feud. The two only became friends by late in the story and married (later).
Impulsive Anne had many misadventures. However she matured during the book, and when Matthew died, Anne waived college to care for Marilla who was going blind. Showing no bitterness, Anne cheerfully welcomed her new role, expecting great happiness.
Anne of Green Gables had apparently been inspired by a newspaper story, and Montgomery filled the work with her own girlhood experiences, and with the rural life and traditions of Prince Edward Island. Although initially rejected by several publishers, the novel became a huge success. Mark Twain fondly compared Anne to Lewis Carroll’s Alice.
Although Montgomery wasn’t particularly interested in extending the story, she did write Anne of Avonlea (1909) that traced Anne’s life from girlhood to motherhood. Later Anne of Green Gables was adapted for film, stage and tv.
Green Gables Heritage Place
The site is located in the National Park, sandy beaches and green farmland on Prince Edward Island’s north shore, only 40 ks north of provincial capital Charlottetown. NB that it is only open from May-Sept; the best activities are in July-Aug.
Built in successive stages between 1831-70, the one-and-a-half storey, L-shape house is topped by a gable roof with a dormer window on the front façade; a small vestibule entrance; wooden frames clad in white painted shingles; wooden sash windows had green shutters as well as the green gable ends. Montgomery actually used the farmhouse and C19th gardens as the inspiration and setting for her famous novel.
Opened in the 1970s, the interior of the house has since been reconstructed to appear as it did in the 1908 novel. So start at the Green Gables Visitor Centre, a bright, modern building with services for guests, including the welcome desk, lobby, gift shop and Butter Churn Café. Inside the Visitor Centre, the Exhibit Hall is an attractive space with exhibits that explore the life and writing career of LM Montgomery, the writing of Anne of Green Gables and the ongoing impact of her writing on a local and national scale.
Silver Bush farm, now the Anne of Green Gables Museum
Anne of Green Gables Museum was an idyllic farmhouse, called Silver Bush, built by Montgomery’s aunt and uncle in 1872. Montgomery herself loved the property, choosing the parlour for her own wedding to Rev Ewen Macdonald in 1911. Inside see all kinds of Anne memorabilia, including rare editions of her books, photos she took herself, extracts from her scrapbooks and a replica of her wedding dress.
With the factual story of Montgomery and the fictional story of Anne of Green Gables, learn how the Cavendish landscape inspired Montgomery and played an important literary role. Note the themes of imagination, beauty, friendship, belonging and freedom in all the exhibits. After seeing the house, follow the trails around the property, which feature memorable locations from the books eg Lovers Lane, Haunted Woods and Balsam Hollow.
Green Gables House is one of Canada’s most celebrated fictional houses but in 1985 it gained Federal Heritage recognition due to its historical associations and its architectural and environmental value. Is this art imitating life or life imitating art?
With the factual story of Montgomery and the fictional story of Anne of Green Gables, learn how the Cavendish landscape inspired Montgomery and played an important literary role. Note the themes of imagination, beauty, friendship, belonging and freedom in all the exhibits. After seeing the house, follow the trails around the property, which feature memorable locations from the books eg Lovers Lane, Haunted Woods and Balsam Hollow.
Green Gables House is one of Canada’s most celebrated fictional houses but in 1985 it gained Federal Heritage recognition due to its historical associations and its architectural and environmental value. Is this art imitating life or life imitating art?
Village of Cavendish aka Avonlea
Cavendish is of interest because Montgomery was born there, in a modest clapboard cottage, but also because the quiet settlement was the inspiration for fictional Avonlea. Together with Green Gables Heritage Place, it forms the L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site.
Recommendations for Anne of Green Gables Tours, Trips & Tickets
L.M Montgomery's grave
Cavendish
Prince Edward Island
Note Charlottetown in the south and Cavendish in the north of the island