Jan
07
Call For Papers
LMM Day, October 25 & 26, 2025 at the Leaskdale Manse National Historic Site
By The Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario
Recently, the LMMSO received a donation from the family of Wilda Clark. Among the many items in the donation, was the July 3rd, 1965 guest book from the special event organized by Wilda involving provincial government recognition of the historic importance of the Leaskdale Manse. The event, during which a commemorative plaque was unveiled,was attended by 700 guests with 385 signing the book. Wilda Clark is the founder of our organization. She recognized the importance of the manse long before others did and lobbied the local, provincial, and federal governments on a number of occasions in order to advance the historical significance of the site in Leaskdale.
2025 marks the 60th anniversary of this epoch moment in time which marked the
beginning of a vision of place and what it could become. It would be twenty years before other significant events involving the future site of the Leaskdale Manse would begin rolling forward, but this was the spark that initiated it. The world has just finished celebrating the 150th anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birthdate. This was a commemoration like no other befitting this remarkable literary figure. She has definitely reached “that far-off goal of true and honoured fame.”1
Dream, vision, commemoration are key words that describe places, literary works, and events of significance created to pay tribute to Montgomery. There is also commemoration in Montgomery’s own work, her literary pilgrimages, the re-writing of her journals, and her efforts to remember Frede to name a few. The Lucy Maud Montgomery Society is requesting proposals for papers that address the commemoration of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life and work. Personal experiences in the dream/vision to commemoration process is encouraged as well as other reflections and perspectives.
Possibilities include but are not limited to:
– Places, museums, historical centers
– Landmark publications
– Literary organizations and their work
– Libraries and archival work
– Special collections
– Digitized projects
– Theatre and the arts
– Natural spaces
The LMM Day weekend will be a hybrid event. While we encourage personal attendance, participation by Zoom will be possible. The LMMSO requests that proposals of not more than 450 words be submitted by Monday, March 31st to [email protected].
Successful proposals will be reviewed and evaluated fairly for approval by a special
committee. Twenty minutes will be allotted for the delivery of each paper. Registration information and scheduling for LMM Day/Weekend will follow after March 31st.
Sincerely,
Melanie Whitfield,
President of the LMMSO
1From The Alpine Path