Saturday October 19, 2002. We are at the Leaskdale Manse where our beloved
Canadian author L.M. Montgomery lived from 1911 to 1926. Jason, Ben &
I drove up here from Toronto and we arrived just before 10 am. There already
many people were on the lawn.
The plaque intoroducing the life of L.M. Montgomery during the Leaskdale period stands on the front lawn. Anne Millner, who is a present resident of the manse, and I are chattering.
Uxbridge Councillor kathy Wasylenky introduces Mayor Gerri Lynn O'Connor.
Mayor O'Connor talks about the recent restoration project of the manse. Recently, the posts were beautifully painted: white and green. The manse is so becomming!
Isobel and Susie, two LMM enthusiasts from Montreal enjoy the event.
I was caught by Jason's camera!
Kathy thanked people who gathered this morning, and introduced us special guests who were sitting at the front row.
Mrs, Elsie Davidson (b. 1904) in the yellow jacket was the the live-in housekeeper for the Montgomery family in the mid 20s. Elsie remembers LMM and always talks about her very fondly.
Pat Millner (Anne's mother) who lives in the manse and has been a great volunteer. Today, she talked about a history of the manse and restoration process, thanking many people, including the late Wilda Clark who was the first advocate of the manse restoration in the 60s.
Because of Wilda's seaseless effort, the manse, then an Ontario historic site, became a national historic site in 1997. Take a look at the newly restored front door. The manse is gradually returning the time of LMM's that Wilda longed for.
Kelly Boehm told us the end of the first phase of the restoration, and talked about the 'Next Steps'. I hope they will receive a plenty of fund from the government!
Kate Macdonald Butler, a granddaughter of L.M. Montgomery, gave a 'Message from Macdonald family'. They are great supporters of the manse restoration project.
In 1998, the white fence was created by a Mr. Brian Shanks who spent two days at the LMM archive, University of Guelph, researching the original fence.
It pored rain a little, and the sun shone a little.
What a beautiful autumn day it was! Montgomery's favourite trees and flowers
quietly listened to Kate's talk.
Kate's father, Stuart Macdonald (1915-1982), the youngest son of Montgomery was born in the main bedroom on the second floor of this manse.
The exterior of the manse is now restored as it was during LMM's residence. The white stucco on all the walls were removed, after many months of work.
The Honourable Janet Ecker, Minister of Finance, and local MPP delivered 'Provincial Member of Parliament Message.' She praised many volunteers for their tireless work.
The photo at her left side shows a piece of 'Lucy Maud Montgomery signature quilt' which has been created by the LMM comittee members and a volunteer group called 'Cordially Yours Club'. The signature quilt bears names of donors, including a Japanese Montgomery fan club 'Buttercups'. The group donated more than $3,000.00CDN over the last few years.
Celebrating the end of the first phase of restoration, Kate Macdonald Butler, The Honourable Janet Ecker, Mayor O'Connor and local residents Gayle Clark and Nina Elliot, along with Jim Gaboury from New Berlin, WI cut the green ribbon. Mrs, Elsie Davidson (98 years old) is the center.
Mr. Gaboury donated his late wife's Montgomery book collection to the manse. These precious books are now viewable at the library in the manse.
Kathy Wasylenky thanked eveyone who has supported this manse restoration project. I am looking forward to seeing new developments in the manse's future!
At the library, in the manse, we listened to Pat's talk.
This is the room in which Montgomery and her husband Rev. Ewan Macdonald wrote and read.
Pat showed us a lovely Anne doll created by Mrs. Kazuyo Otake, a member of 'Buttercups' in Japan.
Ruth Macdonald, LMM's daughter-in-law, also visited the library.
Back side of the manse. There remains a well that LMM used to use.
St. Paul's Presbyterian church stands across the road from the manse. LMM's husband served here as a minister for about 15 years.
Elsie Davidson is a popular figure at LMM events. I asked her a few questions: "Do you still do baking based on LMM's recipe?" She smiled and winked at me, saying: "Oh, sure!"
Kate was busy talking with many LMM enthusiasts. At the left is the ubiquitous Benjamin P. Lefebvre, assistant editor of Canadian Children's Literature journal.
Here we are in basement of the church. This is the place that LMM worked as a minister's wife with her congregationalists.
At left, Ben is overwhelmed by the tasty sweets made by volunteers. Sugar shock?
"Why am I here?" Poor Jason, who is a Dracula scholar first and a Montgomery scholar by marriage. Today, he was "dragged by a chariot" as Montgomery described her relationship with 'Anne'. Yeah, I am Jason's charioteer as 'Anne' was to Montgomery.
Wow, is that 'Queen'? No, it is not Montgomery's horse. The horse was running along 'Lover's Lane' (aka Leaskdale Road) which was a view favoured by LMM.
L.M. Montgomery used to visit this house across the road from the manse. The house was then owned by the farmer Mr. Leask. Montgomery liked his fresh cream and milk. And she had at least one picnic at the back of the house, in "Mrs. Leask's woods" during the spring of 1914.