Anne's Island

Prince Edward Island, Canada, known for its scenic vistas and rich agricultural tradition, is best known to literary fans as the home of a little orphan named Anne Shirley.

Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the Anne of Green Gables series, was born on Prince Edward Island and used the island as the setting for 19 of her 20 novels. Tributes to Anne, her world, and her author, are all over the island.

During the annual Charlottetown Festival a musical version of Anne's story is presented twice daily, June-September. Check the festival's website to confirm show times at http://www.confederationcentre.com/festival.asp.

Every August the L.M. Montgomery Festival takes place in Cavendish. The festival is a three-day tribute to Anne and her creator featuring events like an old-fashioned variety show, craft classes, carriage rides, writers' workshops, barn dances, and more. For information on the current festival, send an email to info@lmmontgomeryfestival.com .

In New London, the Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace is open to visitors May-October annually. This small historic location is where the author was born. Special exhibits feature a replica of her wedding dress and scrapbooks containing some of the author's poetry.

The Anne of Green Gables Museum is at Silverbush, the home of the author's aunt and uncle. Montgomery was married here in 1911 and the museum features a number of family heirlooms as well as a collection of first editions of her works.

The ultimate site for fans of the series is, of course, Green Gables House in Cavendish. The house, built in 1830 and where the author spent many happy childhood visits with her cousins, was restored after being damaged in a fire in 1997. Managed by Parks Canada, it now features re-creations of scenes from the novels. Visitors can also stroll down Lover's Lane or explore the Haunted Wood, both are sites featured in the books.

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