Green Gables Heritage Place, P.E.I.

On our road-trip to Atlantic Canada a must see for me was the Green Gables site on Prince Edward Island. I grew up reading and enjoying the Anne of Green Gables books and so it was a dream come true for me to visit the place that inspired the author Lucy Maud Montgomery to write about the beloved Anne and her adventures in this part of Canada. The new entrance and interpretive building was opened in 2019 and includes exhibits about the author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, as well as her beloved character Anne.

The main house at Green Gables was originally built in the 1830’s by the MacNeil family, relatives of Lucy Maude Montgomery, the author of the popular Anne of Green Gables series. Additions to the house were added in the late 1800’s and again in 1921. In the 1930’s the house became vacant and sat idle until the government of Canada purchased the property in 1936.

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born in a homestead close to Green Gables and would spend time here enjoying the woodlands and surrounding areas. These peaceful places would become the setting for the books, with the first book being published in 1908. Over the years the novels would be translated into more than 35 different languages.

Green Gables was opened as a historic house in the 1950’s and then in the 1970’s and 80’s it was remodeled to depict the house where Anne lived in the books. There are also barns nearby that have been restored and now display a variety of farm tools.

Outside you can wander the trails that Montgomery would have walked along, soaking up the silence of the forest. It is here in the woods that the author spent much of her time coming up with inspiration for the books as well as appreciating the natural world around her.

Green Gables Heritage Place is included within Prince Edward Islands National Park. The main park area is situated along the northern shore of PEI and faces the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Green Gables, which is located in Cavendish, became part of the park in 2004. I would highly recommend a visit here for anyone travelling to this part of Canada!

For more information about the Green Gables Heritage Site visit the Parks Canada website here