Celebrating 50 years of culture

Celebrating 50 years of culture
(Photo : Courtesy: Beaulne Museum)

Beaulne Museum’s milestone anniversary kicks off

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Beaulne Museum in Coaticook is starting its 50th anniversary celebrations with a bang, unveiling three exhibitions on Sunday, Feb. 2. These exhibits—Rural Fusion by Robert Péloquin, From Yesterday to Now… Iconic Artists from Coaticook, and 50 Years of Giving—set the stage for a year-long celebration of art, culture, and history.

As Gerald Cutting, Vice-President of the Beaulne Museum’s board, explained, this is more than just a celebration of the museum’s history. “The 50th anniversary is a chance to reflect on how English and French communities in Coaticook came together to create something remarkable,” he said in a Jan. 23 interview. The museum, housed in the historic Norton family mansion, stands as a testament to that collaboration.

The museum’s journey began with Denise Beaulne, whose vision led to its founding in 1975. Over the years, the institution has evolved into a vibrant hub for art, history, and community events. Cutting emphasized the importance of this milestone: “It’s not just about celebrating the past; it’s about showcasing how we’ve used what’s available to build something that benefits the entire region.”

A historical gem

The museum is housed in the Norton family mansion, an architectural jewel built in 1912 by Arthur O. Norton. Though the Norton family’s time in the house was limited—their lives often centred around properties in Montreal, Boston, and Colorado—the mansion holds deep ties to Coaticook’s history. The family’s contributions to the area are numerous, from funding local hospitals to leaving a cultural and economic legacy.

“The house is a story in itself,” Cutting said, describing its many phases. After being gifted to the Anglican Church, it served as a home for young workers from 1942 to 1968. When it eventually became vacant, Beaulne saw an opportunity and turned the space into the Beaulne Museum, which has now thrived for half a century.

Visitors stepping into the museum are transported back to the early 20th century. The interiors—meticulously restored with period furnishings—offer a glimpse into Coaticook’s storied past. Beyond its historic charm, the museum boasts monthly exhibitions, educational programs for local schools, and spaces for community gatherings. “It’s a place where both the past and the present come alive,” Cutting said.

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