On the 23rd of October, I attended L.M. Montgomery Day events in Leaskdale with my friend Ben (who studies LMM at Guelph University) and my occasional chauffeur Jason (who teaches at the University of Toronto) [Jason: Sure, but I'm also married to her, eh?]. As Jason has quite an independent mind, not counting up my navigation skill, we had a nice but unexpected detour ;-)
At noon, we finally arrived at the Leaskdale Presbyterian church, at which Maud's husband, Rev. Ewan Macdonald, served from 1911 to 1926. We entered the basement of the church to have a special lunch. This is the room in which LMM and her husband were warmly welcomed by the people of the village and in which LMM received a gift of roses from her Guild members in 1922. They wanted to "pay tribute to [LMM] as a Canadian authoress and also to show in some degree [their] appreciation of the wonderful interest which [LMM took] in our welfare" (The Selected Journals of LMM, Vol.3, p.47). LMM was quite appreciative of their generosity on the night of March 25. As for me, Yuka, in 1999, I was also happy to be in the same room where LMM had spent these happy times with members of her community.
We met many kindred people. Some are from our Kindred Spirits email group; some are L.M. Montgomery Committee members from Uxbridge; some are Kindred Spirits Society of Hamilton, and others, who like my chauffeur were just along for the ride!
Nina Elliot, treasurer of the LMM committee of Uxbridge, wore period dress, and pointed me to part of the L.M. Montgomery Signature Quilt on a wall. The quilt is one of their fund-raising projects for restoring the Leaskdale manse. The quilt contains names of various donors embroidered on blocks. I found my name on one of them!
The small basement was almost filled to capacity with people to cerebrate for the 125th anniversary of LMM's birthday. The large square birthday cake was decorated with pink rose-shaped cream and had "Happy Birthday, Lucy Maud" written on top.
Special guests of the day were Ruth Macdonald, LMM's son Stuart's wife, 95 year old Elsie Davidson who was a live-in housekeeper with the Macdonalds in the 20s, and the famous octogenarian Wilda Clark who has been actively involved with the Leaskdale Manse restoration project since the 1960s. When Ruth and Elsie cut the cake and we all sung Happy Birthday Maud.
(From left: Nina Elliot, Wilda Clark, Elsie Davidson and Ruth Macdonald)
After a nice lunch, we listened to talks by the creators of a charming book The Lucy Maud Montgomery Album: Alexandra Heilbron and Kevin McCabe. When Alexandra mentioned that LMM tended to make severe comments about her grandparents, I recalled Luella's (LMM's granddaughter's) casual remark a few years back. She told me that in old days, old folks were so rigid and strict, and that her great-grandparents were no exception, presbyterian or not. Alexandra gave an insightful talk. I am looking forward to seeing her upcoming book relating to LMM.
Kevin told a shocking anecdote of LMM: A black stick story! Ninety year old Keith Webb, one of LMM's relatives who grew up living at Green Gables, once told Kevin that LMM used to carry a black stick and that she used it to punish her sons! As I know that Wilda is a serious devotee of LMM, I looked at her face which turned to be pale at hearing THIS!
Later, I met Elsie on the porch of the Leaskdale manse which was specially opened to the public for just this day. Although she is quite an elderly person, her memories of LMM are so wonderfully intact. She is always kind and gentle to share her memories with us all. During our chat, Wilda came out of the building to ask Elsie about this black stick story. Elsie assured Wilda that "Mrs. Macdonald" did not punish her sons with any sticks. As Elsie's remarks are legend, according to Wilda, Wilda returned to the manse to announce 'the truth' to Kevin! [HI! Kevin, did you talk with Wilda about this?]
(Leaskdale Manse)
A cool autumn wind blew the yellow leaves of the Maple trees that stood on the front lawn of the manse. The rose bush at the porch had dried. I went up the landing to the second floor of the manse. This was Maud's favourite space where she could look out the window at the "Lover's Lane" of Leaskdale. Her two sons used to walk along that lane to attend school. Through the window, I saw a golden ribbon of sunlight as it showered quietly on the lane.
("Lover's Lane" of Leaskdale)
In the main bedroom beside the landing, there was a black baby's dress. LMM's first son Chester, who was born in this room in 1912, wore it at the funeral of his younger brother Hugh in 1914.
LMM wrote in her journal dated August 11, 1921, "In the evenings I have been copying my old journal of the summer of Chester's birth. It hurt me. I was so happy then. Frede was here and I had my dear little chubby baby and Ewan was well. Those two years after Chester's birth were the happiest of my life. After that the war came and the loss of dear 'little Hugh'; and when the war was over Frede died and life changed forever; and then Ewan's malady came upon him and all happiness left my life."
In the manse, I felt very close to LMM, the person who received such happiness having children, gained fame as author: and yet lost so many valuable things at the same time.
The LMM's black blouse made just before her wedding was also displayed. I measured the waist borrowing a measurement from Joanne (Thank you, Joanne): it's only 65 cm! LMM indeed had a petit figure. Elsie told me that LMM had very dainty hands that were always busy.
I enjoyed very much visiting the Leaskdale church and the manse, and meeting with many kindredly folks.
I do hope that the manse, which was recognized as a national historic site by the federal government in 1997, will be restored as a Montgomery Museum in near future.
- If you would like to donate for the Leaskdale
Manse restoration project, please take a look at
- The Town of Uxbridge page http://www.town.Uxbridge.on.ca/
- (At the main page, choose Lucy M. Montgomery from the menu bar, then look at Cordially Yours Club information.)
- The Town of Uxbridge page http://www.town.Uxbridge.on.ca/
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