SUMMARY

Since 1908, 'Anne of Green Gables' has captured hearts. What is so fascinating about this red-haired character and the PEI author who created her? Learn more about this famous novel and its well-known Canadian author - Lucy Maud Montgomery. Discover the real story behind "Anne of Green Gables."

The Story of Anne of Green Gables

The Story

Published originally in 1908, "Anne of Green Gables," the famous novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, continues to captivate hearts and imaginations. The renowned Prince Edward Island author created a tale filled with imagination, natural wonder, and free-spiritedness. The novel epitomized the Green Gables Shore of PEI from which L.M. Montgomery had drawn her inspiration.

The marvellous setting and Montgomery's life experiences, as well as her love of prose and poetry, came together to create a Canadian treasure. The story of Anne Shirley had a timeless message which still resonates with young and old - even more than a century after its first publication. Live life to the fullest and follow your dreams.

Montgomery's idea for 'Anne of Green Gables' came from two simple sentences jotted down in a notebook. The lines read in this manner; elderly couple apply to orphan asylum for a boy. By mistake, a girl is sent them. From these sentences sprung the lively and imaginative Anne Shirley, an orphan who charmed Matthew and Marilla, her adoptive parents. Anne's bosom friend, Diana Barry, and her friend, Gilbert (later, her betrothed), were equally as enthralled with her spirited personality.

Montgomery went on to write seven other books for the 'Anne of Green Gables' series which followed the red-headed heroine through adulthood and motherhood. The novels were distinctly Canadian and true to Montgomery's roots and she never failed to write lovingly about the beauty of Prince Edward Island. Montgomery's island home still honors her work and 2008, the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables, was celebrated as "The Year of Anne."

In PEI National Park, 'Anne' fans can visit Green Gables - the original house which inspired the homestead in Montgomery's book. The gift shop, Butter Churn Cafe, as well as bilingual interpretive events and guided tours, are always a hit with visitors. Everyone loves to take a walk through Lover's Lane and the Haunted Wood.

At the storybook village of Avonlea, visitors can go back in time and meet the characters from Montgomery's acclaimed novel. Anne and Diana guide their fans through the village. Visitors to the Anne of Green Gables Museum at Silver Bush can enjoy Matthew's Carriage Ride or stroll the beautiful gardens of the 110-acre property. Tourists can also explore the Lucy Maud Montgomery Heritage Museum.

A quarter mile east of Green Gables, visitors will discover the L.M. Montgomery Cavendish Homestead, a Canadian National Historic Site, and the location of the author's Cavendish home. While the actual house no longer remains, everyone loves to explore the fields, lanes, and gardens that surrounded the original homestead.

In New London, the birthplace of L.M. Montgomery, tourists will find the original home of this famous PEI author. Tourists can even visit her childhood bedroom and see a replica of her wedding dress. Of course, everything 'Anne' can be found throughout Prince Edward Island - from musical and theatre performances to specialty shops and museums.

Prince Edward Island will continue to celebrate 'Anne of Green Gables' because the novel creates "such an interesting world" and encourages the imagination. 'Anne' is just one of the many splendid things about Prince Edward Island.

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive-it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?" - Anne Shirley - Anne of Green Gables

The Author

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born on November 30, 1874 in Clifton (now New London), Prince Edward Island. Following the death of her mother and the remarriage of her father, she spent much of her life in Cavendish with her grandparents. In November 1890, Montgomery had her first work published in the Daily Patriot, a Charlottetown paper.

In 1893, after she completed her grade school education in Cavendish, Montgomery attended Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. She earned her teaching certificate by completing a two-year program in just one year. During 1895-1896, she studied literature at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After leaving Dalhousie, Montgomery worked as a teacher in various Prince Edward Island schools.

She remained in PEI until 1911 when she married Reverend Ewen Macdonald and relocated to Leaksdale, Ontario. She raised three children there and passed away in Toronto on April 24, 1942. She is buried in Cavendish, PEI. Countless visitors have since paid their respects at her gravesite. Lucy Maud Montgomery is one of Canada's best known and celebrated authors.