Lucy Maud Montgomery Museum and Literary Centre

Lucy Maud Montgomery Museum and Literary Centre

The Town of Halton Hills can lay claim to having once been the home of Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery – best known for the Anne of Green Gables series. The Presbyterian Manse located at 402 Draper Street in Norval is the subject of a restoration and construction project to become the Lucy Maud Montgomery Museum and Interpretive Centre. Phase one of this long-term project is an Interpretative Centre with washrooms and a gift shop. This will allow the site to accommodate visitors including local and area children on school trips. The designs are still a work in progress. Before the proposal can proceed, a fully legislated public consultation process, including formal hearings with Council will be required. To formulate ideas for the space, the project team is working with professional planners and an architectural firm that specializes in heritage buildings. The plans will then be vetted by Town Planners and shared with local residents. Construction will begin once funding and approvals have been secured. The exact timing depends on planning approvals and fundraising initiatives.

Background

On March 17, 2017, the Manse property (the house where the minister traditionally lived), the caretaker’s cottage and associated grounds from the main church property was sold to the Heritage Foundation of Halton Hills. The Presbyterian Church had severed the property to accommodate the sale.

Relatives of Lucy Maud Montgomery (Robert and Elaine Crawford) along with Lois and Al Fraser each donated $100,000 and assumed the mortgage. The Town of Halton Hills donated $90,000 as a Canada 150 project (based on $1.50 for each resident of Halton Hills). Additional funds are generated from The Mayor's annual Heritage Golf Tournament.

Currently, the property’s mortgage is covered by tenants who live in the Manse. Prior to being open to the public, the Manse will be vacated and changes to the interior will be made, particularly in the kitchen which holds modern conveniences.

Both the cottage and the Manse have been designated as Heritage Buildings by the Town of Halton Hills. In future it is hoped that the buildings will receive a National Heritage Site designation.

Please note in order to proceed with the ideas that are being presented for the Lucy Maud Montgomery Museum and Literary Centre, Official Plan and Zoning Amendments, as well as Site Plan approval are required. The Official Plan and Zoning amendment process will include full public consultation, and public hearings, and will require the approval of Town Council prior to any implementation.