69传媒

The following media release is issued by 69传媒Communications on behalf of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, and the 69传媒's L.M. Montgomery Institute and Robertson Library.

For the first time ever, L.M. Montgomery鈥檚 original manuscript of Anne of Green Gables is available to readers everywhere through a new digital exhibition. 
 
"The Anne of Green Gables Manuscript: L.M. Montgomery and the Creation of Anne" officially launched online today [January 19, 2023]. The digital exhibition will allow people to explore Montgomery鈥檚 original text, see what was written on the back of pages, and find out how famous moments were developed or revised. The interactive website includes never-before-seen material, such as Montgomery鈥檚 publishing contract for the novel.  
 
鈥淰isitors can pore over every pen stroke 鈥� there are bits of short story drafts and heavily scratched-out passages that just beg for one to zoom in. We have also added hundreds of photo and video annotations to learn from,鈥� says Dr. Emily Woster, an L.M. Montgomery scholar who curated the exhibition. 鈥淭his is a celebration of Montgomery鈥檚 creative process, and we invite scholars and fans alike to explore the site and trace the origins of Anne.鈥�  
 
The high-quality digitization of the manuscript gives visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the author and Prince Edward Island, and reflect on Anne鈥檚 legacy in print, on screen, and on stage, including the nearly 60-year history of Anne of Green Gables鈥揟he Musical鈩� at The Charlottetown Festival.  
 
The digital exhibition is presented by the Confederation Centre of the Arts and the 69传媒鈥檚 Robertson Library and L.M. Montgomery Institute, and developed with funding from the Digital Museums Canada investment program. The Digital Museums Canada investment program helps build digital capacity in Canadian museums and heritage organizations and gives Canadians unique access to diverse stories and experiences. Digital Museums Canada is managed by the Canadian Museum of History, with the financial support of the Government of Canada. 
 
The history of the novel dates back to the summer of 1905, when Montgomery began writing Anne鈥檚 story in the kitchen of her home in Cavendish. The classic novel is beloved the world over, inspiring millions of readers in over 40 languages. The original manuscript resides in the archives at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown, and only a lucky few have been able to see it or study it in person.  
 
鈥淭his important project will vastly increase access to the manuscript, generating new understanding and appreciation of the novel鈥檚 beginnings and of its author,鈥� says L.M. Montgomery Institute chair Dr. Philip Smith. 鈥淭he digitization by the expert staff at UPEI鈥檚 Robertson Library will allow enthusiasts around the world to discover Montgomery鈥檚 creativity in interactive ways not previously available.鈥� 
 
The digital exhibition is available in English and French and can be viewed online at .