Also referred to as the ‘Year of Maud’, 2024 marks the 150th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery (November 30, 1874 – April 24, 1942), a Canadian figure of historical significance and one of the world’s best-selling international authors for her debut novel Anne of Green Gables (1908).
Montgomery's 150th birthday is being acknowledged and celebrated by people around the world including academics,universities, and authors. Read below for a list of new book releases, upcoming events, and tributes to celebrate Montgomery’s 150th birthday.
New Books Released:
The Blue Castle: The Original Manuscript (May 28, 2024)
Published for the first time ever, the first draft of The Blue Castle (exactly as L. M.Montgomery originally wrote it), is available for purchase and with critical context from a leading Montgomery scholar. The Blue Castle is presented with scribbled notes, character name changes, additions and deletions, and other pre-publication changes, offering fascinating new insight into the writing process of Montgomery.
Becoming Green Gables: The Diary of Myrtle Webb and her Famous Farmhouse (June 4, 2024)
In 1909 Myrtle and Ernest Webb took possession of an ordinary farm in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, and what is now known as the most famous house in Canada: Green Gables Heritage Place.After the release of Anne of Green Gables in 1908, the farmhouse soon became a popular site, as the Webbs welcomed visitors, created a tearoom and sold the Anne books. In 1924 Myrtle (Montgomery’s cousin) started a diary, and in 1937 the property became a new national park.
Join ten of Canada’s top young adult fiction writers with a collection of new stories inspired by Canada’s favourite red-haired orphan. Anne Shirley is taken on brand new adventures with futuristic settings, cybernetic beings, ghosts, mysterious books and boxes, and racial and sexual diversity in its cast of characters.2024 marks the 150th anniversary of L.M. Montgomery’s birth and the 30th anniversary of Acorn Press, Prince Edward Island’s longest-running traditional publishing house.
Westfield Heritage Village, the historic village where many of the Anne of Green Gables(1985) scenes were filmed, is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. Visitors can come to see iconic locations such as the ‘Bright River train station’ and ‘Hammond’s Sawmill’. The village boasts a collection of over 35 restored historical buildings nestled within 204 hectares of conservation land.
The Kindred Spirits Book Arts Exhibition (June 19,2024 – August 23, 2024) *Prince Edward Island and more upcoming provinces
The Kindred Spirits Book Arts Exhibition will be a juried collection of book artistry created by members of the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG). Visitors can come and meet the artists of the 40-piece exhibition as well as make their own souvenir booklet. The Exhibit will begin in Charlottetown and will travel to five additional locations across Canada for the next 18 months.
Anne of Green Gables – The Musical (June 19th - August 31th 2024) *Prince Edward Island
Anne of Green Gables – The Musical, Canada’s longest-running mainstage musical, is returning this year and will run from June 19th to August 31th 2024,coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Confederation Centre and the 150th birthday of the Island-born L.M. Montgomery.
L.M. Montgomery and the Politics of Home Conference (June 19 – June 23, 2024)*Prince Edward Island
The ‘L.M. Montgomery and the Politics of Home’ conference theme for 2024 will engage crucial questions including “Who am I?” and “Where do I belong?”. The conference is hosted by scholars Dr. Caroline E. Jones and Dr. Laura Robinson, and will include a writing workshop with Julie A. Sellers, a baking workshop with Andrea Mckenzie,and a post-conference bus tour.
“Life and Time of L.M. Montgomery” Tour (June 24 – Aug 26, 2024) *Prince Edward Island
Join a drive and tour with a multi-generation island family who is ready to share stories on the author and her island home visiting the many important locations in Montgomery’s 35 years living on PEI. Visitors will visit and drive by many iconic locations from the Birthplace of L.M. Montgomery to the Green Gables Post Office.
L. M. Montgomery’s Life in Leaskdale – Tea and Tours (June, July, August & May/Sept. weekends)*Ontario
Gain insight into Maud’s life on a guided tour through the church where her husband preached and the restored manse where she lived and wrote. After a photo-op in the garden suite beside the statue, visitors can enjoy tea and scones in the interpretive center of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario.
‘Maud of Leaskdale’ Play (August 14, 2024) *Ontario
Experience the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery through the dynamic performance of actress Jennifer Carrol at the historic Leaskdale Church. This acclaimed one-woman show is the signature event of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario and is a shortened luncheon version of the play.
‘Maud of Leaskdale’ Dinner Theatre (August 15, 2024) *Ontario
Back by popular demand,the ‘Maud of Leaskdale’ Play is back for the following day for a dinner and theatre show, and featuring a menu chosen from Maud’s time.
Patterns and Puffed Sleeves Exhibit (October 2024)*Ontario
The TD Gallery of the Toronto Public Library will showcase an exhibit looking into who Lucy Maud Montgomery was and her iconic work of Anne of Green Gables through the lens of costume design. TPL will have awide variety of material on this theme, including a collection of original sketches from the estate of Martha Mann and costumes from the original Anne of Green Gables (1985) film.
#Maud150 Tributes: Anniversary of L.M. Montgomery Institute
The L.M Montgomery Institute (founded in April 1993 by Elizabeth Rollins Epperly) is broadcasting 150 special tributes to Montgomery over the course of the year, including from noteworthy academics and authors.Tributes so far include by Elizabeth Rollins Epperly, Catherine Callbeck (former Senator and premier) Melanie Fishbane (author of Maud), and Eri and Mie Muraoka (granddaughters of historic Japanese translator Hanako Muraoka and authors and translators of Anne’s Cradle and The Blythes are Quoted).
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