Edith Benoit gently removes artifacts carefully wrapped in brown paper, as preparations continue to get the original log home of the Dionne Quintuplets ready for a visit by the two surviving sisters on Sunday, August 5.
Cecile and Annette Dionne are making the long journey from Montreal to North Bay for a commemorative event in their honour.
The Quintuplets, Annette, Emilie, Yvonne, Cecile and Marie were born to Oliva and Elzire in the rural community of Corbeil, in May of 1934.
They would go on to become a major tourist attraction, with people making the trip to catch a glimpse of the girls at what was known as 'Quintland.' They would eventually be removed from their home by the Ontario government, in what came to be a major custody battle.
Earlier this year, the Federal government recognized the event of the birth of the Dionne Quintuplets as an historical event in Canada.
Edith Benoit is a member of the Dionne Quints Heritage Board as well as an original member of the Friends of the Dionne Home, which worked tirelessly to save the building.
As she unwraps some of their personal belongings, Benoit is consumed by thoughts of what life must have been like for the five little girls, recognized by people around the world.
“There’s too many things to even speak about. You waiver between the restricted and prisoner type of life they had, and yet, they had some privileges some children at that time didn’t have. When you look at pictures of them, in some of them they look reasonably happy, yet in other ones you can see the sadness in their face. You reflect back over their whole lives, and I think it’s a story that needs to be told so that it doesn’t happen again. It’s actually going to be very exciting to meet them in person, and give them our best regards for the future.”
The artifacts being put on display came from the previous museum which was operated by the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce.
Each room tells a story, from birth, showing the tiny droppers used to feed the preemies, to the bonnets worn to meet the Queen, to life as teenagers.
One of the rooms is a reminder of the commercial side of life as a quint, including an advertisement from Deegan’s shoe store and five little pairs of leather shoes worn by the girls.
Joshua Pride, board member of the Dionne Quints Heritage Board, is one of many volunteers hard at work inside and outside the home.
“This is a passion project, something that I’m interested in. It’s a story that’s worth remembering, because we can see where we’ve come from in regard to children’s rights, and as a teacher, I find that very important. It will be really nice to meet them, and I hope they think we did them justice here.”
Board director, Miles Peters, said the sisters have requested that a photo be taken of them surrounded by children outside the home.
“They expressed their desire, some time back, that the message they want to convey going forward is the love and care of children. So, as many children as want to come, can stand as a group behind the women with the home in the background. They just wanted to have a very special photo for themselves and for society as well."
Parents wanting their child to be part of this historic moment are asked to email their request to [email protected]
Requests have already come from as far away as Ottawa.
Sunday’s official ceremony begins at 2 pm.
The Dionne home will be open to the public from 10 am to 1:30 pm and again from 3 pm to 5 pm.
The North Bay Museum is also providing free access from 10 am to 5 pm.
Free souvenir booklets have been printed for the occasion. The board is hoping that donations will be made to continue their restoration work, and help prepare for the grand opening of the museum next year.
