Anne of Green Gables Puffed Sleeve Dress

In the spring of 2008 we decided to re-create Anne of Green Gables puffed sleeve dress to reflect the image found in Lucy Maud Montgomery's scrapbook.  The dress was displayed with a collection of memorabilia at the Confederation Center of the Arts to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables.

Below:  Here I am setting up the dress at the Confederation Center of the Arts in advance to the rest of the display.

Below is a picture taken from L.M.Montgomery's scrapbook.  On occasion she would use her scrapbook for inspiration and likely used this to image Anne's puffed sleeve dress.  We based our sleeve dress on this design.



Below:  After I brought the dress home from the Confederation Centre we photographed the puffed sleeve dress in detail in my Living Room - a setting more in keeping with the period of the dress.

"...Anne took the dress and looked at it in reverent silence.  Oh, how pretty it was--a lovely soft brown gloria with all the gloss of silk; a skirt with dainty frills and shirrings; a waist elaborately pintucked in the most fashionable way, with a little ruffle of filmy lace at the neck.  But the sleeves--they were the crowning glory!..."

cf.  Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, 1908
http://www.online-literature.com/view.php/anne_green_gables/25?term=puffed

Latest additions to my collection

Below is an historic garment given to me recently as a result of reading the article on the LMM Trousseau Project.  I will write more about this later.

Below:  Also an historic neck piece - given to me by a friend who visited last week from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  I'm thankful for these gifts to my collection - they're in good hands.

Lots of Interest in the Trousseau

I've had lots of feedback from recent articles in the media on the reproduction of LM Montgomery's Trousseau.  Many emails and calls - I've also had a few people offer me their vintage garments to add to my collection.  Over the past few years I've gathered a good collection of historic garments and costumes.  Thanks everyone!

It's summertime in Cavendish!

It's been a busy few weeks here at the motel as the tourism season peaks on our beautiful Island.  We enjoy meeting new and returning visitors to our motel.   Daily I meet visitors interested in knowing as much as they can about the life and times of Lucy Maud Montgomery - where she lived and the places she wrote about.

This summer is our 35th season in the tourism business.  Here's a few photos from around our motel - check out our website:  http://www.bayvista.ca/

Below: This is Unit 32.  The Breakfast Room is below with its entrance from the side, opposite the Gazebo.

Below:  the flowers are in full bloom these days at the motel.

Below:  The beautiful beaches of Cavendish!

Below:  There's great beauty in the coastlines of Prince Edward Island - the colours of the blue water, sandy beach and red cliffs are wonderful!

VINTAGE PHOTOS - 1970s

Below are come photos of the motel shortly after we bought it in 1977.  It's amazing to look at the photos and not see a tree - today we have alot of trees around us.

Below:  An old postcard - there have been many changes over the years.

 

 Below:  Inside the house-keeping unit - many updates since this photo.

 Below:  Old photos of the motel. 

 Below:  Back in the late 1970's I also worked at the restaurant below the motel - here's a staff photo!

1989

Below:  This photos was taken in 1989 - the 125th Anniversary of the gathering of the Fathers of Confederation in Charlottetown.  I portrayed Andrew A. MacDonald in many events and performances that summer - here I am with my sister Dianne and her children in the gazebo at the motel.

1899 CAVENDISH

Below:  This is a great photo found in the Public Archives of Prince Edward Island - it's titled, "Camping in Cavendish"

At Green Gables for the Afternoon

I was at Green Gables yesterday afternoon talking to visitors to the site about the Trousseau and Lucy Maud Montgomery.  I've read all her books and the journals - some more than once.  I had an engaging conversation with a woman who had lived in Western Canada who had researched LMM's life when she lived in Prince Albert for about a year when she was 15, with her father and step mother.  There was also a pleasant conversation with a lady from the Southern states who is an author and her daughter illustrates her books. There was also many other who stopped to see the dresses, chat and find out more about them.

Here's some photos from yesterday.

 The Trousseau was set-up in the interpretive centre main entry.

 Below:  Wild roses bushes on the Green Gables grounds.

100 years ago today on July 5th, 1911

One hundred years ago today Lucy Maud Montgomery married Rev. Ewan MacDonald at Park Corner, Prince Edward Island.  Be sure to drop by Green Gables in Cavendish this afternoon to see me there with the Trousseau.  For more information about Green Gables see their website at: http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/pe/greengables/index.aspx

Trousseau at Green Gables, Cavendish

Three of the dresses from the Trousseau Collection are at Green Gables now on display - I will be there tomorrow (July 5th) for the afternoon to answer questions and talk about the Trousseau and Lucy Maud Montgomery.  Here are the three on display.