What would the Beaulne Museum be without Miss Beaulne? Would there even be a museum in Coaticook?
Denise Beaulne was born May 16, 1890. Her early studies were made at the Pensionnat Notre Dame de la Presentation de Marie, better known today as the College Rivier. She remained single throughout her life and worked as a secretary in her father's office. He was a lawyer by profession. She, along with her mother, owned a boutique in Coaticook and in Montreal.
At the time of Coaticook's centennial celebration in 1964, Miss Beaulne was 73 years of age. The organizing committee asked her to take charge of gathering historical objects from the community of Coaticook. Her knowledge of local history and old French and English families, as well as her known attachment to her hometown, made her the perfect candidate for such a project. She noted carefully, and with care, in her little black book, the name of each donor and historical object donated.
It was during the time of the Centennial celebration that the historical objects were exhibited in the Town Hall, where they would later be kept in storage. It must be said that even after the celebrations were over, Denise Beaulne continued to collect historical objects offered by the community.
Ten years later, on July 17, 1975, Miss Beaulne officially donated to the City of Coaticook...''all the goods that she had accumulated toward the establishment of a museum. As for the City of Coaticook, it undertakes to maintain such a property in good condition which Miss Beaulne has donated, now or in the future. ''
As a sign of recognition for all the work and donations given by Miss Beaulne, the City of Coaticook named the new museum: The Beaulne Museum. The collection was temporarily housed in the old post office where one finds the present Francoise-Maurice Library.
The many pieces of the collection were finally installed at the Chateau Arthur-Osmore Norton in 1976.
Miss Denise Beaulne passed away at the venerable age of 91 years on June 4, 1981. Her contribution to the conservation and heritage of the Coaticook community was of an inestimable value and continues to grow to this day.
Crédit : Ville de Coaticook
