House of Dreams

House of Dreams
Location information
Type	House
Location	Four Winds, Prince Edward Island
Owner(s)	John Selwyn (formerly) Ned Russell (formerly) Glen St. Mary Presbyterian church (formerly) Gilbert Blythe Ford family
Resident(s)	John Selwyn Persis Leigh Alice Selwyn Gilbert Blythe Anne Shirley Susan Baker Joyce Blythe Jem Blythe Owen Ford Leslie West Kenneth Ford Persis Ford
Affiliation	Selwyn family Blythe family Ford family

The House of Dreams is a house in Four Winds Harbour, where Gilbert and Anne Blythe lived in after their wedding.

History

The construction date of the House of Dreams was July 1, 1831, almost sixty years before Anne and Gilbert arrived. Situated in a lovely area of Four Winds, the house was assumably occupied by only two couples and a single lady prior to Anne and Gilbert's arrival.

Selwyn family

John Selwyn, the Schoolmaster in Four Winds from September 1830, lived in bacheldore in the House of Dreams (then recently built for the newlyweds-to-be) until the arrival of his bride, Persis Leigh. When the Selywns made the House of Dreams home, the furniture was simple. Facts about the house explain about: a large ox-fitting-fireplace, the simple furniture, and little else. It is known, however, that much love was put into the making of the House of Dreams. Everybody in the Glen at the time, it seems, contributed something. When Persis Leigh arrived, there was a wedding day never to be forgotten. The Selwyns lived happily in the House of Dreams for fifteen years until they moved to Charlottetown.

Russell family

Ned Russell bought the house once the Selwyns moved out, and brought his bride. Miss Elizabeth Russell was Alec's sister, and came to live with the Russells after a year. She stayed there after Ned Russell and his bride moved out, and was a friend of Captain Jim.

Blythe family

Anne was the third bride to come to the House of Dreams—and according to Captain Jim, "the handsomest”. Anne and Gilbert, newly-weds, were a very happy couple. They named their new home the "House of Dreams." Captain Jim, Cornelia Bryant, Leslie West, and Owen Ford were frequent visitors to the House of Dreams. Joyce Blythe was born and died there, and Jem Blythe was born there. Anne and Gilbert moved out in October, 1892 to Ingleside in Glen St. Mary. Anne was very sad to leave the home, having made many wonderful memories there, but was glad to be able to leave it in Leslie and Owen's hands.

Ford family

When Anne and Gilbert moved out, Leslie and Owen purchased the home and stayed there during summer vacations. Often, the Blythe children would go down and spend time with Persis and Kenneth.

Physical appearance

"The first glimpse of her new home was a delight to eye and spirit—it looked so like a big, creamy seashell stranded on the harbour shore. The rows of tall Lombardy poplars down its lane stood out in stately, purple silhouette against the sky. Behind it, sheltering its garden from the too keen breath of sea winds, was a cloudy fir wood, in which the winds might make all kinds of weird and haunting music. Like all woods, it seemed to be holding and enfolding secrets in its recesses,—secrets whose charm is only to be won by entering in and patiently seeking. Outwardly, dark green arms keep them inviolate from curious or indifferent eyes."

—Anne sees the House of Dreams for the first time

Gallery

Anne of Green Gables Wiki has 1 image of House of Dreams (view category).

Appearances

Book appearances

• Anne's House of Dreams
• Anne of Ingleside (mentioned only)
• Rainbow Valley (mentioned only)
• Rilla of Ingleside

Short story appearances

• The Road to Yesterday
  • "Retribution" (mentioned only)
  • "Here Comes the Bride" (mentioned only)
• The Blythes Are Quoted
  • "Twilight at Ingleside" (mentioned only)
  • "Retribution" (mentioned only)
  • "There is a House I Love" (mentioned only)
  • "The Gate of Dream" (mentioned only)
  • "The Pot and the Kettle" (mentioned only)
  • "Wind of Autumn" (mentioned only)
  • "The Change" (mentioned only)
  • "Here Comes the Bride" (mentioned only)
  • "I Want" (mentioned only)