Sadly, my family's visit to Prince Edward Island was completely soured by our visit to the Anne of Green Gables Museum. We had come from California, USA to Canada and drove all the way to PEI from Quebec City.
The grounds are nice; the museum was quick enough to go through in 15-20 minutes. Like a clock striking midnight, once 5PM hit, the museum and store staff started treating all customers without respect and , frankly, very rudely. The staff started loudly and tersely asking everyone to leave right away, stating that they needed to lock the gates. We witnessed a family being asked to leave right away, after asking to be allowed to walk the grounds briefly and to take a few pictures; they had driven a long distance.
Personally, my family was berated, chased down, yelled at, and threatened by Pam Campbell and also rudely treated and sneared at by another female staff member. Pam threatened to lock the gate on us and have us stuck for the night. (By the way, the "gate" is a literal small gauge rope attached to two small wooden posts. You can also easily drive around the "gate" if really forced into such a situation.) We simply asked Pam and the other woman to allow us a moment to map out our next destination, so that we would not have to use our cell phones and multi-task while driving in an unknown city/province. Pam and the other woman had rude/choice words in their responses and continued to threaten us and force us to leave immediately, not caring for our safety and without any regard for customer service or care.
Sadly, if you read through many of the reviews (both recent and those from years ago) within Google Maps, you will see that this behavior is unfortunately consistent with many experiences from other patrons, especially those of Asian decent. (There are undoubtedly many, many, many other people who have experienced this unacceptable behavior that have not spoken up.)
One may also see a pattern in the reviews, as well, a pattern we noticed in person during our visit. Pam Campbell seems to have a certain attitude towards people of certain ethnic or cultural backgrounds. One might say that this is borderline or straight out racism being experienced. (Read through the reviews for more context.) The family I mentioned earlier in my review was of Chinese decent and most likely visiting from Asia. My family is also of Chinese decent, though born and raised in the USA. There were still other guests on the property at closing time, but Pam and the other female employee only addressed the Chinese visitors with threats, snears and hard knocks on car windows. There were still many other visitors driving in and walking around taking photos, but we didn't see her approach them with threats as she did towards us.
Sadly, because Pam Campbell is related to the L M Montgomery family, it is very unlikely this kind of behavior will change, because the Campbell family is either unable or unwilling to address the root issues.
Bottom Line: Don't go to the museum at 5PM or after (but still expect some potential for rude attitute, rude behavior, or biased treatment) Even better, prioritize the Green Gables Heritage Center and the many, many other great parts of the PEI island, if your time is limited Be prepared with information and knowledge before heading to the museum by reading through reviews to get a better picture of what to...
Read moreIt was more off the 'beaten path' than expected but that wasn't an issue but we would have packed more grub and goodies for an over night stay had we realized that a drive 'up the road' in New London meant 15-25 minutes to a convenience store. LOL
The restaurants in the area were great and our motel was okay especially considering the fact that tourism season is behind due to the destructive winter PEI had! However, we also had a leak in our room that kept us awake more than I'd like. It was addressed by the motel owner but still, nothing he could do late in the evening with the rain still pouring outside.
The museum itself wasn't anything spectacular BUT we anticipated this as we understood it was the aunt and uncle's homestead, bigger than that which Lucy was born in (we visited her birth home as well) and considered well-to-do for the times but the landscape was lovely and the home beautifully furnished and laid out with many signs and notes denoting events and explanations of pieces in each room.
That said, considering this was our main point in visiting the island - my mother is 73-years old and is a fan of LMM's writings since she was 10-years old - my mother was awake at 5:30 a.m. itching to get started. Unfortunately as the museum opened at 9 a.m., we had a wait. Even a spot for breakfast wasn't available until 7:30 a.m. We had a great meal. Then off to the museum.
We arrived at the museum at 9:38 a.m. to find a CLOSED sign still in place. Everything locked up. We even range the 'ship' bell. Nothing. Knocked. Nothing.
We were not happy. We took the trip overnight from CB to see this ONE place which opened at 9 a.m. but was still closed. The internet wasn't available due to the remote location so I called a friend in Cape Breton to get the tourism number. My mother commented, "Oh well, I could look in the windows". THAT was NOT an option. When I got the number a car pulled into the parking lot. This was at 9:45 a.m. The woman who got out was an employee of the gift store opposite the museum. We asked when the museum would be open, she commented, "Oh she should be in there...look, the door is open". It was open NOW and the closed sign still on.
If you're saying you're open at 9 a.m. at a provincial and/or federal site, OPEN at that time!
See the inside, especially the writing desk was the highlight for my mother. It had been her dream for a very long time and, thankfully, it came...
Read moreThe Anne of Green Gables Museum is a captivating destination that offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the life and work of the renowned author, Lucy Maud Montgomery. Nestled amidst the tranquil settings of her family farm, this museum provides a profound insight into the inspiration behind one of Canada's most beloved literary characters.
Stepping onto the grounds of the museum feels like entering the pages of Montgomery's timeless tales. The serene landscapes and charming farmstead serve as a reminder of the idyllic settings that undoubtedly fueled her creative genius. It's easy to see how the beauty of Prince Edward Island played a significant role in shaping Anne Shirley's world.
Inside the museum, you'll discover a treasure trove of information about Lucy Maud Montgomery's life and writing process.
The exhibits offer personal connection to the author, shedding light on her experiences and the origins of the iconic Anne character. It's a journey through time that leaves you with a profound appreciation for Montgomery's literary contributions.
Don't forget to visit the gift shop, where you can find a delightful array of Anne-themed memorabilia and books. It's the perfect place to pick up a memento to remember your visit or to continue your exploration of Montgomery's works.
The Anne of Green Gables Museum is a haven for literature enthusiasts, history buffs, and those seeking a tranquil escape into the world of Anne Shirley.
This museum offers a chance to immerse yourself in the essence of Montgomery's imagination while basking in the beauty of the landscapes that inspired her. A visit here is like stepping into the heart of Anne's adventures and the mind of a...
Read more