“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?”

When Lucy Maud Montgomery published Anne of Green Gables in 1908, PEI’s lush landscape, beaches and of course, red dirt provided the perfect backdrop. Anne Shirley quickly became a beloved icon around the globe and readers sought to travel to the magical land of red cliffs, glistening seas and rainbow sunsets that she spoke of. For over a hundred years people have identified with the fictitious spunky young red-head. Her independence and ability to rise above hardship has inspired millions around the globe. If you’re looking for that connection with Anne Shirley, there are endless ways to experience the Island through her eyes.

Fun Facts

• Anne of Green Gables was first published in 1908.
• There are eight novels in the Anne of Green Gables series in total.
• More than 50 million copies of the novel have been sold worldwide.
• Avonlea, the village in which Anne resides, is fictional. It is based on real-life Cavendish located on the North Shore of PEI.
• The novel has been translated into over 35 languages.
• Anne of Green Gables has been adapted into various plays, television series, movies and musicals, including the most recent adaptation, Anne with an E, which streamed globally on Netflix for three seasons.
• Anne of Green Gables – The Musical ran every summer from 1965-2019 at Confederation Centre of the Arts. This cherished musical set the Guinness Record for the world’s longest-running annual musical theatre production!

Anne of Green Gables

Where to experience the novel:

• Take an immersive, self-guided tour of the most important and meaningful places that served as inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery with The Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery Literary Tour
• If you’re brave enough, traipse through the Haunted Woods at Green Gables Heritage Place. Or if you’re looking for a more romantic excursion, stroll down Lover’s Lane admiring the natural beauty of PEI along the way.
• Obviously , make sure to stop into the house itself! Stepping into the historic Green Gables house will whisk you back through the years to a time of puffed sleeves, oil lamps, and of course- raspberry cordial.
• A visit to Avonlea Village, the fictional 19th century hometown of Anne Shirley, features Island hospitality with delicious food and quaint shops. For dessert, indulge in the world’s best ice cream with a scoop (or three!) of COWS ice cream.
• Take in the view at Matthew’s Carriage Rides at the Anne of Green Gables Museum, where you’ll travel along a country path with the PEI’s beautiful North Shore on one side and the Lake of Shining Waters on the other.
• Anne of Green Gables – The Musical is one of 100+ original musicals that Confederation Centre of the Arts has produced in the past five decades. You’ll be able to catch PEI’s most iconic red head at the Charlottetown Festival in 2024.
• See Anne fall in love at Anne & Gilbert – The Musical. Known as Canada’s greatest love story, Anne & Gilbert – The Musical showcases award-winning songs, memorable comedy and drama, and a message of enduring love, hope and friendship.
• See for yourself where Lucy Maud Montgomery’s journey began! Visit the author’s birthplace in New London, PEI for a peek at the room she was born in and a replica of her wedding dress!

Photo by Louise Vessey, Anne Musical

• Indulge your inner chocoholic and witness chocolate making at ANNE of Green Gables Chocolates at Avonlea Village!
  The Anne of Green Gables Store in Cavendish or Charlottetown is the perfect stop to pick up all things Anne, from a straw hat with braids, to your very own copy of the novel!
• Do you imagine yourself as a character from the novel? Dress up as the characters at Shop and Play‘s Anne Dress-up Parlour at Gateway Village.
• Try Anne’s drink of choice- raspberry cordial. Just be sure to check the bottle first, to make sure it isn’t currant wine!

Photo via Anne of Green Gables Chocolates

Photo via Anne of Green Gables Chocolates

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Lucy Maud Montgomery (who went by Maud) was born November 30, 1874 in New London, Prince Edward Island. She was raised by her maternal grandparents in Cavendish, which she affectionately named her favourite place on Earth. She studied at the Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, as well as at Dalhousie University. Anne of Green Gables was Maud’s first published novel in 1908. Maud married Ewen Macdonald in 1911 and the couple would have two children.  Over her lifetime, Maud published 20 novels, more than 500 short stories, an autobiography and a book of poetry. She died April 24, 1942.

Photo by Paul Baglole ©Tourism PEI

Your Anne adventure awaits!