Brief History of the Manor and the Museum
In 1881, Arthur-Osmore Norton lived on Union Street in Coaticook. The Manor, commonly known as ``Norton Castle``, was constructed in 1912 and replaced the original house. At that time the Manor became the family's second residence where Norton conducted his business on occasion.
The architectural style of the building is typical of the Neo-Queen Anne style. The roof and exterior walls are covered with brown wood shingles characteristic of the Shingle style. Both styles reflect the American eclectic style. The wide balconies, fenestration, fieldstones and gables all contribute to its uniqueness and splendour.
In 1942, Harry and Mary Helen, Norton's two children, bequeathed the Manor to the Anglican Church of Canada. The church moved its boarding school for young girls, Bishop Mountain Hall, from Quebec City to Coaticook. Many young anglophone girls throughout the province boarded there until the Hall's closure in 1968. Subsequently, residents of the Dixville Home resided in the Manor for a few years.
Denise Beaulne was the first person in charge of the museum that was founded in 1964 and was located above City Hall and then in the Françoise-Maurice Library building. Her knowledge of both English and French families combined with her interest in cultural heritage and her devotion were key to the development of the institution that today bears her name. The museum was moved to the Manor in 1976 after the municipality of Coaticook bought the building.
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