American couple donates large Dionne Quintuplets collection to Callander, Ont., museum
The Callander Bay Heritage Museum has received a “treasured” collection of Dionne Quintuplets memorabilia as part of a large donation.
The collection belonged to Richard Fraser and his wife Nancy after his mother, Doris Fraser, passed away in April at the age of 97.
"It was her hope that the collection could stay together," said Nancy from her home in Harrison, Maine. "It was natural for us to want to get it to the museum."
Doris visited the Callander Bay Heritage Museum in 2001. She was a member of an American group called the Dionne Quints Collectors Club.
"It’s in the right place," said Richard. "She bought all of it at yard sales, flea markets and antique shops."
The five sisters Annette, Yvonne, Cécile, Marie and Émilie were born May 28, 1934 in a humble farmhouse. Their mother, Elzire, suspected she was carrying twins, but no one was aware that giving birth quintuplets was even possible.
The girls were not allowed to stay with their family for long. They were taken away by the Ontario government and put on public display in a specially-built compound called ‘Quintland’. The girls lived there until they were nine years old, with only occasional contact with their parents and siblings.
After a custody fight, the sisters were reunited with their parents, but all five have said they did not have happy childhoods.
The collection consists of antique dishes, spoons, calendars, photographs, books, toys, advertisements, and an extremely rare and valuable five set Madame Alexander doll collection.
"They’re simply very expensive and they’re very much treasured by collectors. Opening each box was just the wow factor," said museum curator Natasha Wiatr.
Wiatr says it is one of the most significant collections the museum has received to date.
It was the goal of former museum curator, Carol Pretty, to find a complete set of the Madame Alexander doll set. Sadly, she passed away earlier this year before the collection arrived.
"There’s a bittersweetness to this donation. She told me it was the one part of the collection the museum never had,” said Wiatr. “It was the one thing she always said ‘If only we could get one of those, our collection would be coming close to completion’.”
The museum has the collection on display Saturday to allow the public to view it before it will be catalogued and put it into inventory.
"The next step will be to decide which ones will be put on display and basically fit as much as we can on display," said Wiatr.
Nancy and Richard say they are planning a trip to Callander to visit the collection in the future.
"In this day and age, a lot has been forgotten at least around here. Hopefully, in Canada it will be remembered. Hopefully the two sisters in Montreal can go and see the collection as well," said Nancy.
The museum is looking to conduct more research on the collection so the next generation can learn more about the quintuplets’ story.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.