Bala's Museum with memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery

05/31/2026

He restoreth my soul.
I love the softness of the light in spring on young leaves and new grass.
Jack and I had planned for a soft opening tomorrow June 1st but important medical appointments for us both during this week must come first.
We are relying on our Lord to get us through this time and pray that the museum opening will be shortly.

Spring Tours 12.00 person. Minimum 2 people. 35.00 for family of 4.
Call 705-762-5876 or email [email protected] to book a tour for 10:00am or 1:30pm

05/25/2026

Readying School Desks for Photo Ops
Every spring our spacious front porch morphs into an oldfashioned classroom complete with a Union Jack flag of the day, map of the Maritimes on the wall, teacher's desk with a hand picked apple and of course slates. We rely on my son John to lift and carry each extremely heavy antique school desk from storage inside out to the porch. I bring screw drivers to secure the desks in position. We are hoping for a soft opening of the museum the week of Wed June 3rd. Remember we will be open 3 days a week (Monday, Wed. and Friday) with reserved tours at either 10 am. or 1:30 pm.
To reserve a tour please call 705-762-5876 or email [email protected]
Admission is 12.00 a person or 35.00 for a family of 4. Costumes are available for boys and girls which make for great photo opportunities during this interactive tour! Remember to bring your imagination!

05/21/2026

Meeting The Blue Castle Professor
I was pulling dandelions when I noticed them reading our sign. Since our museum is not officially open I was going to give them a brochure and hope they'd come back in a couple of weeks. But when Rebecca Sullivan said she and her husband Bart Beaty were professors at the University of Calgary and that she taught courses on The Blue Castle and the Emily books, I was ingrigued. During their tour with the emphasis on The Blue Castle, I was amazed that Rebecca and Bart knew so much about the book. Interesingly, Rebecca was delighted to buy a copy of our book LMM & Bala because when she ordered it thru the Calgary Interloan Library System she was given black and white photocopies of our book and admonished to return the copies within 10 days! Rebecca will be retiring soon but has been honoured by The Banff Springs Hotel to do a speaking engagement there about The Blue Castle near the end of June with accomodation provided! Our Gift Shop provided a Blue Castle necklace to wear for the occasion and Blue Castle sheet music from the play. What a wonderful afternoon meeting Rebecca and Bart, Proffessors from Calgary!

05/20/2026

There's Something About a Hat with Red Braids

Scrolling thru a gallery of fun pictures from last year I was struck by how anyone of any age or gender can let their imaginations soar during our photo opportunities! ENJOY our pics and captions!

05/19/2026

Vintage Postcard of Green Gables and Bonus
2 available 5.00 each
This charming photo of Green Gables in the summer includes the Island Hymn written by Lucy Maud Montgomery in 1908 (the same year that Anne of Green Gables was published).
LMM's poignant lyrics include:

Fair Island of the sea,
We raise ouur song to thee,
The bright and blest.
Loyally now we stand
As brothers hand in hand,
And sing God save the land
We love the best.

Lawrence W. Watson composed the music for Maud's lyrics. For many years our Church Choir sang the Island Hymn at the July 24th Anniversary of LMM's arrival in Bala in 1922 and at the Anniversary of the opening of Bala's Museum in 1992.
Cash, cheque, Visa , MC or e-transfer.

05/15/2026

Wide-eyed Wonder at Bala's Musuem Anne of Green Gables Displays
I happened to catch this photo of one of our costumed vistors last fall enjoying my diorama of Anne Shirley's ill-fated tea party. As you can see doll-sized Anne is preparing to pour a cup of tea for DIana and slightly hidden behind the teapot is The Raspberry Cordial!
Other dioramas include Anne's Arrival at Green Gables, Anne Baking a Liniment Cake, Ice Cream at the Sunday School Picnic, School Teacher Anne and Anne Saving Minnie May. Email us if you would like a tour at: [email protected]

05/13/2026

Diana Doll Dress Matches Movie Diana's
This 12 inch vintage Diana Barry doll was created by Avonlea Traditions - a company known for their exquisite designs and detailing.
Recently I noticed that the pink dress on the Diana doll matches perfectly with the dress worn by actress Schuyler Grant (as Diana Barry) in the 3-legged race with Anne. The dress is a sailor dress tied just below its wide pink collar and has a dickie between the collar in white with pink pearl buttons. The doll carries a basket of flowers, has a straw hat decorated in similar flowers and has a wooden stand. Cost: 75.00. Please message me if you would like to buy this doll. Payment by cash, cheque, MC, Visa or e-transfer. Museum pickup or mailed within Canada.

05/12/2026

The Anne of Green Gables Gift Shop is Ready
We are all spruced up after the counting of inventory and re-arranging of dolls, sheet music, Anne straw hats with carrot-red braids, Anne baseball caps, Anne puzzles, books for toddlers and LMM scholars, our book, CD's, notepaper, postcards, ornaments, necklaces, Anne pins, aprons and burlap bags for sack races! Reserve a tour for 10 am or 1:30 pm by phoning 705-762-5876 or emailing us at:
[email protected]

05/11/2026

Driving to Green Gables Ornament 12.99
Extremely rare 25+ year old Avonlea Traditions ornament to hang or display on a flat surface. Stands 3 inches tall with exquisitely beautiful hand painted scene. Unfortunately one horse ear is broken and there is a chip out of Anne's hat. That said, the ornament remains charming!
Museum pickup or mailed across Canada! Cash, chq, VIsa, MC or e-transfer. Please DM me with your email, cell # and how you want to pay if you want this ornament.

05/10/2026

Spring Cleaning in Miniature
Setting up our miniature displays for the upcoming season can be back-breaking work. This year I got smarter and used a kitchen chair while cleaning and arranging the furniture for our Avonlea Schoolhouse and Gus Pike's Lighthouse. Not only did I clean the buildings but I also cleaned every school desk, potbellied stove and marine rescue equipment of cobwebs, dust and debris. You will have to visit us on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday at 10 am or 1:30 pm to admire the results of my spring cleaning! PLEASE NOTE: reservations are required. Call 705-762-5876 or email us at [email protected]