50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BETHUNE MEMORIAL HOUSE SATURDAY IS A FREE PUBLIC DAY TO CELEBRATE ‘BIRTHPLACE OF A HERO’ WHO FORGED CANADA-CHINA RELATIONS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

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GRAVENHURST — “Birthplace of a hero.”

From humble beginnings as a church minister’s son to a national hero in Canada and China, Dr. Norman Bethune’s name is recognized worldwide including in Spain.

Tomorrow, 136 years after he was born in the Presbyterian manse on John Street he and his birthplace will feted on the 50th anniversary of Bethune House becoming a protected national historic site.

It takes place 1-4 p.m.

And the public is invited as the house and interpretive centre are open as usual and for free as part of Parks Canada’s free summer destinations until Sept. 7.

A large yellow and white striped tent went up today at the site with tables and chairs set alongside the home that was repainted an olive green outside last year in anticipation of the celebrating Bethune’s life and work in medical battle fields of Spain and China that have led to statues of him being erected here at home, across Canada and overseas.

In addition to official celebrations and remarks, there will be lots of free watermelon and croquet to play in the front yard as if it were 1890 when Dr. Norman Bethune was born and went on to worldwide medical acclaim.

In 1970 with a shift in attitude by Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the former prime minister helped renew Canadian interest in Bethune by opening diplomatic ties with China.

In 1972 Bethune was officially declared a person of “national historic significance” by the Canadian government leading to official recognition in 1976 when Bethune Memorial House became a national historic site.

And part of Parks Canada’s national parks system — free until Sept. 7.

Saturday afternoon Canadian and Chinese dignitaries and guests will gather outside the bedroom window where he was born to honour his memory, recognize his accomplishments and solidify Canada-Sino relations forged in his name.

It’s the start of a weekend celebration and gathering that includes hundreds of past former Parks Canada tourism guides who have been tracked down and invited along.

They have told Bethune’s incredible life story and legacy to tens of thousands of visitors to this very unique Canadian site.

With a circus-like tent and plenty of chairs, the table was set today for Saturday’s 50th fete. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com
In 1890 this former Presbyterian Church manse was the Bethune family home. Today it is the focal point of two buildings that make up a Canadian National Historic Site.
Each year tens of thousands of visitors, mostly Chinese, visit Bethune Memorial House on John Street in Gravenhurst as they did Friday. And each fall, especially during Muskoka’s Cavalcade of Coulour leaves celebration, it is particulary busy.

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