The L.M. Montgomery Institutes' 16th Biennial International Conference

“Oh, I’ve got such a lovely home,” breathed Pat, clasping her hands. “It’s such a nice, friendly house.”
—L.M. Montgomery, Pat of Silver Bush (1933)

It’s the home of my heart, this little room—the spot I love, for here I am happiest.
—L.M. Montgomery, 30 April 1903

When confronting the timeless questions “Who am I?” and “Where do I belong?”, we must reckon with two inarguable forces: politics and home. These forces inform who we are and how we are in the world. L.M. Montgomery was no exception—she was formed by the cultural and domestic politics of her time and place, and she engaged those politics in her work, alongside the ubiquitous motif of home. The year 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of Montgomery’s birth, and we especially wish to engage the specificity of the homes that shaped her as author, diarist, and public and private citizen.

We understand both home and politics in myriad ways. Home can be the place where we live--a domicile, a city, a country—and is inevitably shaped by economic, social, and governmental political forces. Home is potentially a native land, bound by kinship and past or current traditions, unified by cultural memory and driven by political impulses. Home might be a safe place, where we can be ourselves and where politics function to empower all members. Home can be a family of birth or of choice, or a community of acceptance—or rejection. Home can be a place lost through political displacement. Likewise, politics can be international, national, or local; secular or religious; household and domestic. Politics shape nations, villages, churches, and individuals. Politics and home are fundamental to public and private identity.

Admission to all conference sessions, keynote presentations and events, lunches, nutrition breaks, and receptions (Thursday to Sunday) as well as 1 ticket to the conference banquet. (Does not include Wednesday workshops—to be announced.)

Admission to all conference sessions, keynote presentations and events, lunches, nutrition breaks, and receptions (Thursday to Sunday) as well as 1 ticket to the conference banquet. (Does not include Wednesday workshops—to be announced.)

Admission to all conference sessions, keynote presentations and events, lunches, nutrition breaks, and receptions (Thursday to Sunday) as well as 1 ticket to the conference banquet. Proof of student status may be requested. (Does not include Wednesday workshops—to be announced.

Please note that such passes are for in-person attendance only and not available to conference presenters.

Includes admission to conference activities and presentations for the day/half-day indicated. Full day passes include lunch; half-day passes do not include lunch. Includes nutrition breaks and special events, but not Saturday’s banquet. Day passes are available for Thursday, 20 June; Friday, 21 June; and Saturday, 22 June. Half-day passes are available for 20 June (AM/PM); 21 June (AM/PM); 22 June (AM/PM); and 23 June (AM only).

Ticket to the conference banquet, which includes a delicious meal and enjoyable entertainment. Note: Full conference registrants (regular, early-career scholar, and student) are reminded that if they wish to bring a guest to the banquet, they will need to purchase an extra banquet ticket.

Host or Publisher University of Prince Edward Island