Green Gables Heritage Place is a 19th-century farm and literary landmark in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Green Gables served as the setting for the Anne of Green Gables novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Green Gables is recognized as a Federal Historic Building by the government of Canada and is situated on the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada. The National Historic Site itself is situated in Prince Edward Island National Park.
The building was initially erected during the 1830s, by the MacNeil family, relatives of Montgomery, who was born near the homestead. Interest in the Green Gables property grew in the decades after Montgomery published her novels, resulting in Green Gables' purchase by the government of Canada in 1936. The government initially operated the home as an historic house that depicted 19th-century farming life on Prince Edward Island. However, by the 1970s plans were undertaken to refurbish the building to resemble Green Gables as depicted in Montgomery's novels. Since 1985, Green Gables and the larger National Historic Site operate as a museum of Lucy Maud Montgomery and her novels.
History
Green Gables was initially owned by the MacNeil family, relatives of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. The building was initially built by the family during the 1830s and was expanded during the 1870s and in 1921, the latter expansion resulting in the building's present L-shape. In 1938, plans were made to develop Green Gables into a clubhouse for the adjacent golf course; but these plans were abandoned after public backlash against the proposal. Montgomery is interred in the Cavendish cemetery, adjacent to the Green Gables property.
thumb|"Anne's Room," is one of several rooms in the farmhouse made to resemble the setting in Montgomery's novels
During the 1950s, the home was furnished with period-appropriate furniture and was used as a historic house.
thumb|Green Gables in 1982
On 10 July 1985, Green Gables was officially designated as a Federal Heritage Building as an example of 19th century architecture in the province, and for the home's importance to the literary community. The larger property, including the ruins of Montgomery's homestead were designated as the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada in 2004.
In 2017, the government unveiled a million restoration plan to restore the Green Gables building, in addition to building a new interpretive centre. On 29 August 2019, an interpretive centre built north of the Green Gables homestead was opened to the public; with Hisako, Princess Takamado in attendance for the interpretive centre's grand opening. On 1 December 2020, Green Gables was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister's commendation for their contributions to promotion of mutual understanding between Canada and Japan.
Property
upright|thumb|Lovers' Lane is one of several trails situated on the property that surrounds Green Gables
Green Gables is situated on the L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada, a large property that also includes Montgomery's homestead, greenspaces that served as inspiration for Montgomery's novel, and several trails including Haunted Woods, Lovers' Lane, and Balsam Hollow.