The Green Gables farm was owned by the MacNeill family, who were cousins of author Lucy Maud Montgomery. The farm's name is derived from the richdark green paint of the gables on the farmhouse. The main exterior walls of the farmhouse are painted white. Montgomery visited the farm as a young girl and based the location of her best-selling Anneseries of books on the Green Gables farm. She drew romantic inspiration from the house, as well as the surrounding area, including the "Haunted Woods", "Lovers' Lane", and "Balsam Hollow." Upon Montgomery's death in 1942, her wake was conducted from the living room of the Green Gables farmhouse for several days prior to her funeral at the local Presbyterian church and burial in the nearby Cavendish Community Cemetery.
The international acclaim of Montgomery's novels made Cavendish into a popular tourist destination in the province beginning in the early 20th century. This led to the establishment of Prince Edward IslandNational Park in the 1930s. The park's boundaries encompassed the Green Gables homestead, and the building became the property of the Government of Canada. The farmland surrounding Green Gables house was developed into, designed by world-renowned architect Stanley Thompson. In addition to being located within park boundaries, the Green Gables farmhouse is designated a National Historic Site for its importance in literary history, and is one of the most-visited historic sites in the country. The farmhouse exterior has not changed significantly over time, and its interior decor and artifacts depict the late Victorian Period in rural Prince Edward Island. Guided and self-guided tours may be taken of the house and surroundings, with Parks Canada interpretive staff available throughout the site. Various rooms in the house have been named according to the Anne of Green Gables story.
Restoration
An electrical fire on May 23, 1997 caused some internal damage to part of the upstairs section of the farmhouse. This led to restoration of the affected rooms, as well as being the impetus for an extensive redevelopment of the property through the construction of barns and outbuildings to complement the house itself and to accommodate visitor interpretation facilities. As a result, part of the nearby Green Gables golf course, constructed in the 1930s, was moved away from the vicinity of the homestead and the area has been returned to a more traditional agricultural landscape.
