Published June 8, 2022 10:29 AM
Leaksdale Manse, home of writer Lucy Maud Montgomery from 1911 to 1926
Pickering and Uxbridge have teamed up to launch the Anna and Maude Experience, a new visitor tour starting this Sunday in both communities.
The event includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a showcase of what the Anne and Maud Experience will offer visitors in the 2022 season. The free launch event includes a full day of activities including a trolley ride, tours of historic sites, special offers from local businesses, giveaways and more.
The Pickering Museum will be open from 10 to 1 with free admission to showcase the Anne Experience with ribbon cutting at 11. To celebrate the launch, they will be offering free tastings, traditional costumes, music, tea mixed with buns, ice cream, a fried truck, gifts and a behind-the-scenes a look at where the various Anne films were filmed.
Pickering Museum Village has been the backdrop to many beloved Anne-themed films. From The Road to Avonlea and Anne of Green Gables to Anne with an E, the museum has been transformed to bring Lucy Maud Montgomery’s stories to life through films,” said Laura Gibbs, Pickering’s culture manager. “We are thrilled to be bringing back the Anne Experience for a second season and linking Uxbridge and Pickering through these fun, creative and memorable events.”
In Uxbridge, guests can explore the sites along the Lucy Maud Montgomery Trail on a free podcast driving tour that introduces visitors to two historical sites related to Anna of Green Gables writer L. M. Montgomery, who lived in the area from 1911 to 1926 year. The National Historic Site was the author’s home and where she wrote eleven of her books, many of which are included in her Anne and Emily collections. On launch day, guests can meet Maude (played by Jennifer Carroll) from 1 to 5.
The Uxbridge Historic Center offers the new “Lucy Maud Montgomery Tour” where guests can learn about Maud’s connections to the museum’s historic buildings, a World War I exhibit that explores Maud’s involvement in local warfare, and free activities for children. Guests can also visit Foster Cemetery along the way. There are no entry fees for all sites at the June 12 launch event.
“The City of Uxbridge is thrilled to be working with Pickering to create this incredible visitor experience and I am thrilled to have our local tourist attractions and businesses involved,” said Lisa John-Mackenzie, Uxbridge Tourism Development Coordinator. “They put together such a fun and creative program that is so important to the development of a popular tourist destination.”
Local businesses have joined in the celebration with Ann and Maude specials on launch day. Blue Heron Books will host L. M. Montgomery’s book…