Green Gables (Prince Edward Island) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green Gables Heritage Place |
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Green Gables from the east
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| Location | 8619 Cavendish Road, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada |
| Area | 220 square metres (2,400 sq ft) |
| Built | 1830s–1870s |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| Type | Federal Heritage Building |
| Designated | 10 July 1985 |
Green Gables Heritage Place is a famous 19th-century farm in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada. It's known worldwide because it was the setting for the Anne of Green Gables novels. These popular books were written by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Green Gables is a special place. The Canadian government recognizes it as a Federal Historic Building. It's also part of the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada. This larger historic site is located within Prince Edward Island National Park.
The MacNeil family, who were relatives of author Lucy Maud Montgomery, first built the farmhouse in the 1830s. People became very interested in Green Gables after Montgomery's books became famous. The Canadian government bought the property in 1936. At first, it showed what farm life was like in the 1800s. Later, in the 1970s, it was changed to look just like the Green Gables described in the Anne novels. Since 1985, Green Gables has been a museum about Lucy Maud Montgomery and her beloved stories.
History of Green Gables
Green Gables was originally owned by the MacNeil family. They were relatives of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. The family built the first part of the house in the 1830s. They added more rooms in the 1870s. Another addition in 1921 gave the building its current L-shape.
In 1908, Montgomery published Anne of Green Gables. The story's main character, Anne Shirley, lived in a house just like Green Gables. People became very interested in the real house after the book came out. This interest grew even more when a movie based on the novels was released in 1934.
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By the 1930s, Green Gables was empty. The government of Canada bought the property in 1936. This was part of a bigger plan to create Prince Edward Island National Park. In 1938, there was an idea to turn Green Gables into a clubhouse for a nearby golf course. But people didn't like this idea, so the plans were stopped. After Lucy Maud Montgomery passed away in 1942, her funeral was held at Green Gables.
During the 1950s, the house was filled with furniture from that time period. It showed how people lived in the 1800s. In the 1970s, the house was changed again. It was made to look exactly like the Green Gables described in Montgomery's books. In 1985, Parks Canada decided to make the house truly reflect the novels. They restored it to match the book's descriptions.
On July 10, 1985, Green Gables became a Federal Heritage Building. This means it's important for its 19th-century style and its connection to literature. The larger area, including the remains of Montgomery's own childhood home, became the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada in 2004.
In 2017, the government announced a plan to restore Green Gables. They also planned to build a new visitor centre. On August 29, 2019, the new visitor centre opened. Hisako, Princess Takamado from Japan even attended the opening! On December 1, 2020, Green Gables received a special award from the Japanese Foreign Minister. This award recognized its role in helping Canada and Japan understand each other better.
Exploring the Property
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Green Gables is located within the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada. This large area includes Montgomery's childhood home. It also has green spaces that inspired parts of her novels. You can find several trails here, like Haunted Woods, Lovers' Lane, and Balsam Hollow. The entire property became a National Historic Site of Canada in 2004. It is also part of Prince Edward Island National Park.
The National Historic Site has two main parts. One part is where Montgomery's childhood home once stood. You can see the remains of her home and other old farm buildings from the late 1800s. Green Gables is located to the west of Montgomery's home. The land around Green Gables also has a historic schoolhouse, other farm buildings, and walking trails.
In 2019, a new visitor centre opened north of Green Gables. This centre has exhibits about Lucy Maud Montgomery and her novels, especially Anne of Green Gables. The building was designed by Root Architecture. It has spaces for exhibits, a gift shop, and offices. The centre is built around a courtyard. It uses timber framing and wooden panels throughout its design.
About Green Gables House
The Green Gables house is a one-and-a-half-story building shaped like an "L". It is covered in white painted shingles. The only other main color on the outside is the green roof and window shutters. The green color was added shortly after the government bought the house in 1936. This was done to make the building look more "suitable" for visitors.
The house has six windows on its two floors, each with shutters. The building is about 220 square meters (2,400 square feet). It has five bedrooms, a dining room, a sewing room, and a parlor. Most of the house is made of wood, but the chimneys are made of brick.
See also
In Spanish: Green Gables para niños
