Day 4–Anne, Anne, Anne…Lighthouses

We began the day with our delightful breakfast at the Inn. Our meals often fill us for the morning.

We had multiple tickets from our package to use today. Quite honestly, we could have gotten a better deal had we purchased everything separately. Adella would have been a child’s rate, and each location was relatively inexpensive. If you choose to visit, shop around. Better prices could be found.

Before I begin, I’d like to address Lucy Maud Montgomery’s name. While her given first name was Lucy, she lived with her grandmother (Lucy). Maud might have been her preferred name, but it also might have become her default name, since Lucy already lived in the home. I’ve decided Maud and I would have been “bosom friends”, and that puts us on a first, well, second name basis.

Okay, now we can proceed.

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Cavendish Home (link)

Yesterday we walked to the Cavendish home, but I didn’t have our tickets, so we promised to return today.

Upon entering, we were greeted with an interpreter who gave us great information about Maud. We wondered what happened to Maud’s dad after her mother died of tuberculosis. Well, he had a business as a merchant. The shipping routes to P.E.I. changed, and he had to reinvent his business. Because this took him around Canada, he knew his raising Maud would not be best for her.

Eventually Maud’s dad moved away, and he did invite her to live with him. However, the stepmother treated Maud like a maid for her half siblings, and after a year Maud decided to return to P.E.I. She then finished schooling and began the path toward becoming the most famous Canadian author.

The entrance to the site houses the original post office desk and scales used. Maud’s grandfather died before her grandmother, and together they became the Post Mistress.

Maud had been engaged to the minister of the Presbyterian church, Ewan Macdonald. They kept the engagement secret (not from family) to avoid town gossip. The Macdonalds did not marry until the death of Maud’s grandmother. However, their wedding date was 115 years ago—July 5, 1911.

As for this site, we learned about all the events leading up to Maud’s departure from P.E.I. We also took a walk around the grounds.

The kitchen you saw above had been lent to Father Bolger, a Montgomery biographer. He never returned it, so the family had to wait for him to die in 2018 before it returned home.

We saw the rebuilding of Anne’s White Way of Delight. It will be rows of apple trees.

We saw the footprint for the Macneill home.

We traversed the grounds that provided inspiration to Maud’s writing. Adella read every sign.

And, sweet as can be, Adella and I performed Snow White’s song by the wishing well…

The start to our day couldn’t have gone any better. Next stop…

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Birthplace (link)

The drive to Maud’s birthplace provided an incredible backdrop.

We continually discussed how the landscape would change in winter, but for today we couldn’t imagine a more beautiful day.

Maud’s parents Hugh John and Clara had been gifted this home for their wedding. A few things to note:

• The kitchen was moved outside each summer and moved inside each winter.
• Maud’s wedding dress is a replica, but the shoes are original.
• Maud lived here a mere 21 months before her mom passed away.

Maud’s wedding dress displayed in the parlor. Despite the home being quite tiny, it still had a parlor. Keep in mind this room was only used when notable people visited. Regulars just sat in the dining area.

The downstairs contained four rooms and an entryway: parlor, dining room, small room for the ill, and the part time kitchen.

Many family photos hung on the wall, so we enjoyed “seeing” the family.

The unusually tall stairs led to the four rooms upstairs. The staff closed one off for their materials and the other three displayed period bedrooms. Maud’s room looked down the staircase with the master and guest rooms sitting side by side. Once again, the furniture used served as a visual representation of the authentic pieces.

Adella took shots of everything. I can’t wait to review all her photos. I’m sure they will complete our vacation story.

Anne of Green Gables Museum

Just down the street, we found Maud’s aunt’s home. Now known as the Anne of Green Gables Museum, Adella and I took the time to explore.

We purchased Matthew’s carriage ride with our friend Blake. Because P.E.I. is notoriously windy, and their horses spook easily, the carriage followed behind a tractor. We rode around the inspiration for the Lake of Shining Waters and did some bird watching.

Blake had never read the Anne stories, so I asked him if he was surprised so many people came to see the Campbell farm. He admitted his surprise at the enduring love people have for Anne Shirley.

Once we arrived back to the Campbell home, we finished our tour. Maud lived in this home briefly in 1911 to prepare for her wedding. She considered this home her second home.

Her favorite book The Story Girl found many stories in this very home. We saw the blue chest used in one of the stories. The real story tells of a relative who waited unsuccessfully for her groom to come for their wedding. When he did not show, the bride buried the wedding cake in the front yard and put her wedding dress in the blue chest. The blue chest was never to be opened until the death of Maud’s cousin. Today, those items sit in Maud’s upstairs bedroom.

The Campbell family still lives in this home. We toured the public areas. Adella held on to the staircase handrail and said, “Maud touched this exact handrail, Aunt Becca.” She loved it.

Another fun fact included Maud’s marriage, performed in the parlor on July 5, 1911. The organ still plays as many fans have come to marry in the same room.

Cape Tryon Lighthouse

We caught wind that the Cape Tryin Lighthouse had been used in the Anne of Green Gables movie series with Megan Follows, so we decided to explore. Located on the French River, the location stunned us with its beauty. The lighthouse finished construction in 1967, but the original 1905 lighthouse provided inspiration to Maud.

We sat and listened to the sounds of the waves crashing against the cliffs. Adella filmed the sounds but experienced frustration because another couple was flying a drone everywhere. Eventually we moved to the other side of the lighthouse and found the path to the rocks below. Amazing!!!

We ate lunch sometime that day on the Cavendish Boardwalk. Adella refused to call a boardwalk because there was no water! The food still delighted our palates.

Our last item in the agenda took us to the Rustico Lighthouse. Our only view came from a parking lot, but we loved seeing another P.E.I. Lighthouse. Our hearts and our day finished full!