Green Gables (Prince Edward Island)

Last updated

Green Gables Heritage Place
Green Gables 02.jpg
Green Gables from the east
Location8619 Cavendish Road,
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Coordinates 46°29′16″N63°22′55.4″W / 46.48778°N 63.382056°W / 46.48778; -63.382056
Area220 square metres (2,400 sq ft) [note 1]
Built1830s–1870s [note 2]
Governing body Parks Canada
Website www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/pe/greengables

Green Gables Heritage Place is a 19th century farm and literary landmark in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Green Gables served as the setting for the Anne of Green Gables novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Green Gables is recognized as a Federal Historic Building by the government of Canada and is situated on the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada. The National Historic Site itself is situated on Prince Edward Island National Park.

Contents

The building was initially erected during the 1830s, by the MacNeil family, relatives of Montgomery, who was born nearby the homestead. Interest in the Green Gables property grew in the decades after Montgomery published her novels, resulting in Green Gables' purchase by the government of Canada in 1936. The government initially operated the home as a historic house that depicted 19th century farming life on Prince Edward Island. However, by the 1970s plans were undertaken to refurbish the building to resemble Green Gables as depicted in Montgomery's novels. Since 1985, Green Gables and the larger National Historic Site operate as a museum of Lucy Maud Montgomery and her novels.

History

Green Gables was initially owned by the MacNeil family, relatives of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables . [1] The building was initially built by the family during the 1830s and was expanded during the 1870s and in 1921, the latter expansion resulting in the building's present L-shape. [1]

In 1908, Montgomery published Anne of Green Gables, with Green Gables serving as the home for the titular character Anne Shirley. [1] Interest in the home grew after the publication of Anne of Green Gables and the release of a movie based on the novels in 1934. [1] With Green Gables vacant during the 1930s, the government of Canada purchased the property in 1936 as a part of a larger effort to develop Prince Edward Island National Park. [1] [2] In 1938, plans were made to develop Green Gables into a clubhouse for the adjacent golf course; but these plans were abandoned after public backlash against the proposal. [1] After Montgomery's death in 1942, her body was transported from Ontario to Prince Edward Island, with a funeral ceremony held at Green Gables. [3]

"Anne's Room," is one of several rooms in the farmhouse made to resemble the setting in Montgomery's novels Anne of Green Gables (37094999792).jpg
"Anne's Room," is one of several rooms in the farmhouse made to resemble the setting in Montgomery's novels

During the 1950s, the home was furnished with period-appropriate furniture and was used as a historic house. [2] During the 1970s, the building was refurnished and remodelled to resemble the Green Gables depicted in Montgomery's novels. [2] In the same decade, the building was expanded again; before it underwent significant restorations in 1985, after Parks Canada decided to switch the furnishing in the home to reflect how Green Gables was depicted in Montgomery's novels. [4]

On 10 July 1985, Green Gables was officially designated as a Federal Heritage Building as an example of 19th century architecture in the province, and for the home's importance to the literary community. [5] The larger property, including the ruins of Montgomery's homestead were designated as the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada in 2004. [6]

In 2017, the government unveiled a CA$9.5 million restoration plan to restore the Green Gables building, in addition to building a new interpretive centre. [7] On 29 August 2019, an interpretive centre built north of the Green Gables homestead was opened to the public; with Hisako, Princess Takamado in attendance for the interpretive centre's grand opening. [8] On 1 December 2020, Green Gables was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister's commendation for their contributions to promotion of mutual understanding between Canada and Japan. [9]

Property

Lovers' Lane is one of several trails situated on the property that surrounds Green Gables Lovers' Lane, Green Gables (3640372368).jpg
Lovers' Lane is one of several trails situated on the property that surrounds Green Gables

Green Gables is situated on the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada, a large property that also includes Montgomery's homestead, greenspaces that served as inspiration for Montgomery's novel, and several trails including Haunted Woods, Lovers' Lane, and Balsam Hollow. [6] The larger property was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada on 12 October 2004. [6] The property itself is situated within Prince Edward Island National Park. [1] [2]

The National Historic Site is largely divided into two areas, Montgomery's home and Green Gables. [6] The former served as the home for the author of Anne of Green Gables and consists of the ruins of her home and other farm buildings from the late-19th century. [6] Green Gables is situated to the west of Montgomery's home; with the lands surrounding Green Gables also including a historic schoolhouse, farm buildings, and trails. [6] In 2019, an interpretive centre built north of Green Gables was opened to the public, and houses exhibitions on Montgomery and her novels, particularly Anne of Green Gables. [8] Designed by Root Architecture, the centre includes exhibition spaces, gift shop, and offices. The interpretive centre surrounds a courtyard. Timber framing and panels is used throughout the interpretive centre. [8]

Greengablesfarmpano.jpg
The Green Gables Home is situated on a larger National Historic Site that includes several other historic buildings

Green Gables

White-painted shingles are used throughout the building, with green being the only other major colour found on the building's exterior. Green Gables House front view.jpg
White-painted shingles are used throughout the building, with green being the only other major colour found on the building's exterior.

Green Gables is a 1+12-storey L-shaped home clad in white-painted shingles throughout; with the only other colour present on the building being the green-gabled rooftop and its window shutters. [5] The green gable and shutters were painted onto the building shortly after the federal government purchased it in 1936, in an effort to make the building more "suitable," for its opening. [2] There are six windows on the two floors of the building, each with shutters. [1] The 220-square-metre-building (2,400 sq ft) includes five bedrooms, a dining room, sewing room, and a parlour. [4] Although wood is used throughout the home, the building's chimneys are made of brick. [1]

See also

Notes

  1. The following figure is for the Green Gables House, not the property.
  2. The building was completed in stages from the 1830s to 1870s. Since its completion the building was expanded twice in 1921 and the 1970s.

Related Research Articles

<i>Anne of Green Gables</i> 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-20th century. Set in the late 19th century, the novel recounts the adventures of 11 year old orphan girl Anne Shirley sent by mistake to two middle-aged siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who had originally intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way through life with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Maud Montgomery</span> Canadian novelist (1874–1942)

Lucy Maud Montgomery, published as L. M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author best known for a collection of novels, essays, short stories, and poetry beginning in 1908 with Anne of Green Gables. She published 20 novels as well as 530 short stories, 500 poems, and 30 essays. Anne of Green Gables was an immediate success; the title character, orphan Anne Shirley, made Montgomery famous in her lifetime and gave her an international following. Most of the novels were set on Prince Edward Island, and those locations within Canada's smallest province became a literary landmark and popular tourist site – namely Green Gables farm, the genesis of Prince Edward Island National Park. She was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1935.

Avonlea is a fictional community located on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and is the setting of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables, following the adventures of Anne Shirley, as well as its sequels, and the television series Road to Avonlea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Edward Island National Park</span> National park on Prince Edward Island, Canada

Prince Edward Island National Park is a National Park of Canada located in the province of Prince Edward Island. Situated along the island's north shore, fronting the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the park measures approximately 60 km (37 mi) in length and ranges from several hundred metres to several kilometres in width. Established in 1937, the park's mandate includes the protection of many broad sand beaches, sand dunes and both freshwater wetlands and saltmarshes. The park's protected beaches provide nesting habitat for the endangered piping plover; the park has been designated a Canadian Important Bird Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anne Shirley</span> Fictional character Anne Cuthbert

Anne Shirley is a fictional character introduced in the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. Shirley is featured throughout the classic book series, which revolve around her life and family in 19th and 20th-century Prince Edward Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summerside, Prince Edward Island</span> City in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Summerside is a Canadian city in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. It is the second largest city in the province and the primary service centre for the western part of the island.

Bala's Museum, officially with the sub-name "With Memories Of Lucy Maud Montgomery", is a museum located in Bala, Ontario, Canada. It is owned and operated by Jack Hutton and Linda Hutton.

<i>Anne of Green Gables: The Musical</i> Musical

Anne Of Green Gables: The Musical is a musical based on the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The book was written by Don Harron exclusively, the music by Norman Campbell and the lyrics in a joint venture by Don Harron, Norman Campbell, Elaine Campbell and Mavor Moore. The musical was Canada's longest-running musical, having been performed annually from its opening in 1965 until 2019, with the planned 2020 and 2021 productions cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2014, it was officially recognized as the longest running annual musical theatre production in the world by Guinness World Records.

<i>Anne of Green Gables</i> (1985 film) 1985 film

Anne of Green Gables is a 1985 Canadian made-for-television drama film based on the 1908 novel of the same name by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, and is the first in a series of four films. The film stars Megan Follows in the title role of Anne Shirley and was produced and directed by Kevin Sullivan for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It was released theatrically in Iran, Israel, Europe, and Japan.

<i>Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story</i> Canadian TV series or program

Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story is a 2000 miniseries television film, and the third installment in a series of four films. The film was highly anticipated among fans of Anne of Green Gables, and was the most controversial and heavily criticized of the three film adaptations written and produced by Kevin Sullivan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cavendish, Prince Edward Island</span> Unincorporated rural area in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Cavendish is an unincorporated rural community in the township of Lot 23, Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

<i>Anne of Green Gables</i> (1919 film) 1919 film by William Desmond Taylor

Anne of Green Gables is a 1919 American silent comedy-drama film directed by William Desmond Taylor. The film was based upon the 1908 novel of the same name by Lucy Maud Montgomery. By 1999, all prints of the film were believed to have been lost.

<i>Anne of Green Gables</i> (1956 film) 1956 television film by Don Harron

Anne of Green Gables (1956) is a Canadian television film directed by Don Harron. The film was based upon the 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New London, Prince Edward Island</span> Village in Prince Edward Island, Canada

New London is a Canadian rural community located in Queens County, Prince Edward Island.

Belmont is a Canadian rural farming community located in the larger community of Lot 16 in central Prince County, Prince Edward Island. Lot 16 is actually three communities: Belmont, Central, and Southwest Lot 16, and is one of the last communities on Prince Edward Island to continue using their lot designation from the original Island survey by Samuel Holland in the 18th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norval, Ontario</span> Unincorporated community in Ontario, Canada

Norval is an unincorporated community in the town of Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada, within the Regional Municipality of Halton. Situated on the Credit River at the intersection of Highway 7 and Winston Churchill Boulevard, it is located immediately east of Georgetown and approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) west of the current urban boundary of Brampton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Montgomery</span> Canadian politician

Donald Montgomery was a farmer and politician from Prince Edward Island. He represented Princetown and then 1st Queens in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1838 to 1874 as a Conservative member and served as a Conservative member of the Senate of Canada from 1873 until his death. Montgomery Manor in Park Corner, PEI, is where Donald Montgomery and his wife, Ann Murray raised their family.

"The Island Hymn" is the patriotic song of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island.

Green Gables may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaskdale Manse</span> Historic residence of Lucy Maud Montgomery

The Leaskdale Manse, located in Uxbridge, Ontario, was the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the Anne of Green Gables series, and her husband Reverend Ewan Macdonald from 1911 to 1926. Montgomery wrote 11 of the 22 works published in her lifetime in the manse, as well as a series of journals that were published posthumously. The manse, constructed in 1886, was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1994 and is now a historic house museum.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Green Gables House". gov.pe.ca. Government of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Gammel, Irene; Lefebvre, Benjamin (2010). Anne's World: A New Century of Anne of Green Gables. University of Toronto Press. p. 23. ISBN   9781442611061.
  3. McIntosh, Andrew; Devereux, Cecily (30 January 2020). "Lucy Maud Montgomery". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  4. 1 2 Cross, David (13 February 2014). "Green Gables House a priceless treasure". The Toronto Star. Torstar Corporation. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Green Gables House". Canada's Historic Places. Parks Canada. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada". Canada's Historic Places. Parks Canada. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  7. Campbell, Malcolm (6 April 2017). "Green Gables gets a facelift". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 "Green Gables Heritage Place Visitor Centre opens in PEI". Canadian Architect. iQ Business Media Inc. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  9. "Foreign Minister's Commendations for FY 2019 (Groups)" (PDF). www.mofa.go.jp. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2020. p. 2. Retrieved 2 December 2020.