Travel An immediate international success when it was published in 1908, Anne of Green Gables tells the story of Anne Shirley, a red-haired orphan. She was mistakenly sent to live with a strict spinster Marilla Cuthbert and her bachelor brother Matthew, when they tried to adopt a boy to help with farm work. Despite her penchant for misdemeanours, her imagination, passion for melodrama and optimistic spirit endeared her to all of the characters living in the imaginary island village of Avonlea. The best-selling Canadian book went into 10 printings in its first year. Since then, more than 50 million copies have been sold worldwide, translated into more than 35 languages. The novel has inspired musicals, plays, movies, ceramic figurines, books, CDs, DVDs and several television series. The most recent adaptation is the 2017 CBC and Netflix co-production of Anne. A prolific writer, Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote 20 novels, more than 500 short stories, 500 poems and hundreds of letters. She also recorded thoughts about her life and world events in journals, from the age of nine until just before her death in 1942 at the age of 67. We read her biography on a plaque near her red geranium-covered grave in Cavendish Cemetery. The success of Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ is a testimony to Anne’s enduring appeal. First staged at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in 1965 as part of the inaugural Charlottetown Festival, its 54th season in 2018 holds the GuinnessWorld Record for the longest-running annual musical theatre production. Inspired by the humorous and heart-warming performance, we visited Green Gables Heritage Place, part of L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site. The original green-roofed house – built in the mid-1800s – was the home of David Jr. andMargaret Macneill, cousins of Montgomery’s grandfather. Although LucyMaud never lived there, she spent many happy hours at the farmstead. Floral wallpaper, a blue-and-white pitcher and washbasin and a dress with puffy sleeves depict “Anne’s Room.” An orientation film at the Visitor Reception Centre ties together Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery’s life and works and the P.E.I. destinations that inspired her descriptions. A small museumdisplays priceless treasures including some letters and her black Empire typewriter, purchased nearly new in 1906. She used it so frequently that several painted letters are worn off the keys. Right – L.M. Montgomery’s letters and Empire typewriter – Early editions of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea – Anne’s Room, Green Gables Heritage Place Below– L.M Montgomery’s grave and tombstone, Cavendish Cemetery Below right – Green Gables Heritage Place, Cavendish National Historic Site L.M. Montgomery’s Most Famous Novel CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 17
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