The Anne of Green Gables Museum at Park Corner is the second great Anne landmark on the island, and a rewarding contrast with the farmhouse at Cavendish. It is in the Campbell Homestead at 4542 Route 20 in Park Corner, in the Green Gables Shore area, a home L.M. Montgomery knew well as the house of her relatives. The museum shows artifacts and places that Montgomery wrote about, including Anne's Enchanted Bookcase, a collection of the author's belongings and the pond that she named the Lake of Shining Waters. It is a quieter, more personal place than the main Parks Canada site, and a good choice for readers who want to see something closer to Montgomery herself.
What to do
Tour the house and its collections, which hold items connected to Montgomery and to the family who lived here, and step outside to see the pond. For readers, the Lake of Shining Waters is the highlight, since it is the real water that inspired a famous chapter title.
Montgomery is also remembered for marrying in the house in 1911, a detail that guides usually share. Come with a copy of the book in mind rather than the hope of a large, polished visitor centre, because this is a family homestead museum with a smaller scale and a more intimate feel.
Tourism PEI's page gives neither hours nor admission, so check with the museum before you drive out in any season, and expect admission to be charged. The page notes bilingual service as limited. The museum is on the north shore's inland side, so it sits comfortably on the same day as Green Gables and the national park, though the road from Cavendish takes some time.
Fitting it in
Park Corner is in the Kensington area, roughly an hour from Charlottetown by road, so it works best as a stop on a north shore or west-side day rather than as a short outing. Allow about an hour at the museum, plus the drive. If you are already doing a small-group Anne day tour, ask what it includes, since itineraries vary.
If you do not drive, a private North Shore or Anne tour can add Park Corner, but check the itinerary before you book. In winter, when it is closed, the area is still a pleasant drive past farmland and the shore.
Who it suits
Readers of the Montgomery books, fans of the Anne television and screen adaptations and travellers who like small, personal museums. Children who have read the books will enjoy it more than those who have not. It also suits visitors who want to avoid the crowds that gather at the main Green Gables site on summer days, since this museum is smaller and more spread out in the experience.
If you only have time for one Anne stop and it is not summer, the Parks Canada site's appointment visits may suit you better, so compare the two.
What to expect
The experience
A visit to a family homestead museum with Montgomery-related artifacts and the pond known as the Lake of Shining Waters.
Best time
Between May 20 and October 18; the museum is closed for the season in November.
How long
About an hour, plus the drive from Cavendish or Charlottetown.
Tips
Confirm hours and admission before you drive, pair it with Green Gables and the national park and read the book first for the best effect.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Readers of the Anne books who want a more personal Montgomery site than Green Gables.
- Families
- Best for children who know the stories; the museum is small and quiet.
- Couples
- A gentle stop on a north shore drive, with the pond and the farmland setting.
- Pair with
- Green Gables Heritage Place, Prince Edward Island National Park and a north shore drive.
- Time needed
- About an hour on site.
Good questions
Is the Anne of Green Gables Museum open in November?+
No. Tourism PEI lists the museum as open from May 20 to October 18, so it is closed for the season in November. Confirm dates for the next season before you travel.
Is it the same as Green Gables Heritage Place?+
No. Green Gables in Cavendish is the Parks Canada farmhouse that inspired the novel. The museum at Park Corner is the Campbell Homestead, a separate, smaller site with Montgomery-related artifacts.
What can I see there?+
The museum shows artifacts and places Montgomery wrote about, including Anne's Enchanted Bookcase, a collection of the author's belongings and the Lake of Shining Waters.
Where is it?+
It is at 4542 Route 20 in Park Corner, in the Green Gables Shore area of the north shore, roughly an hour from Charlottetown by road.
What does it cost?+
The Tourism PEI page does not state admission prices, so contact the museum or check its website before you go.
