Women’s Institute celebrates 40 years

“Without vision, the people perish.”
This idea put forth in 1897 had vision. It was practical, forthright and a brave venture.
Those who caught the vision could not have know how far-reaching the organization to be known as the Women’s Institute would be in influencing better homemaking and good citizenship.
On February 19, 1897, the first formal organization of a Women’s Institute took place through the combined efforts of Erland Lee and his wife Janet, with the encouragement of Adelaide Hoodless.
Adelaide’s young child had passed away from impurities in their milk.
In 1897 the first objective stated: “This institute shall be to promote that knowledge of household science which shall lead to improvement in household architecture with special attention to home sanitation, to better understanding of economic and hygienic value of foods and fuels, and to a more scientific care of children with a view of raising the general standard of health of our people.”
The founders of this organization were more forward-thinking than they realized. All of humankind is closely interconnected in today’s rapidly changing world where distances are diminishing and the problems of one nation bear upon the others.
Great social and economic problems confront people everywhere.
Today’s Women’s Institutes concern themselves more with these problems than in the past. The dream of its founders was far reaching as evidenced by the growth of this organization.
During Lord Tweedsmuir’s term as Governor General of Canada, Lady Tweedsmuir, who was a devoted Women’s Institute member stressed the need for preserving the interesting history of our Canadian people and the places, customs and activities of our developing land.
Branches began with “Village History Books.” This was the official launching of the Tweedsmuir Histories of local communities and it has become one of the most outstanding and valuable projects of the Women’s Institute.
In 1996, the Rainy River District Women’s Institute took this one step further. Dr. Kenyon from the Royal Ontario Museum suggested that the community open a museum.
While working the area, Dr. Kenyon realized that there was a lot of history around the district. Members thought it was a great idea.
Through the hard work and dedication of these early members, the Rainy River District Women’s Institute Museum has been in operation for over 40 years.
An arrangement of artifacts has been collected from across the Rainy River District. Some of the artifacts date back 100 years to the early settlers of the area.
The institute is proud of their accomplishments with the museum. In recent years, they realized that they were out-growing their building as the collections were expanding greatly.
Upon signing a lease with the Township of Emo, they moved the museum to a new location on Tyrell Street (known as the former O.P.P housing units).
Last summer, they operated on a much smaller scale compared to their old location, displaying just a small amount of the artifacts.
This year they will opening up the second building, trying to show a little bit from every aspect of pioneer life in the Rainy River District.
In helping to preserve this history, the museum will be launching a program they are calling “Adopt an Artifact.” For a small amount, one can adopt an artifact and help the institute preserve an artifact of your choosing.
In celebrating 40 years, the Rainy River District Museum would like to thank all those who volunteered to keep the museum going, donating items/monies, and those came out to buy pies.
A “Thank You” celebration will be held on Wednesday, July 9 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. The institute will be serving sandwiches and dessert. Come out and see their new location on Tyrell Street. Please bring a friend!