Sheri Stamarski
“Without vision the people perish.”
This idea put forth in 1897 had vision. The vision was practical, forthright, and a brave venture.
Those who caught the vision could not have known how far-reaching their organization, to be known as the Women’s Institute, would be in influencing better homemaking and good citizenship.
On Feb. 19, 1897, the first formal organization of a Women’s Institute took place through the combined efforts of Erland Lee and his wife, Janet, and with the encouragement of Adelaide Hoodless, whose young child had passed away from drinking spoiled milk.
The objective of “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 health of our people.”
The founders of this organization were more forward thinking than they realized. All of human kind 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 they did in the past. The dream of it’s founders was far-reaching as evidenced by the growth of their organization.
During Lord Tweedsmuir’s term as Governor-General of Canada, Lady Tweedsmuir, who was a devoted Women’s Institute member, stressed at a W.I. meeting in 1936 the need for preserving the interesting histories of our Canadian people and the places, customs, and activities of our developing land.
A few years later, it was proposed that W.I. branches begin “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 Institutes.
In 1966, members of the Rainy River District Women’s Institutes took this one step further. Dr. Kenyon, from the Royal Ontario Museum, suggested the women of the W.I. open a museum. As he was working in the area, he realized there was a lot of history around the district.
Members thought it was a great idea. Through the hard work and dedication of those early W.I. members, the Rainy River District W.I. Museum has been in operation since 1968. Artifacts have been collected from across the district, with some dating back to the early settlers to the area more than 100 years ago.
More than 30 years ago, the museum was approached by the Emo Chamber of Commerce about accommodating a tourist information centre. Brochures of various information about the district can be found there.
At present, there are plans to
expand the tourist information area to include a gift shop, and to highlight various resorts and landmarks.
The present district Women’s Institutes are very proud of our accomplishment with the museum. In recent years, we realized we had to do something with our museum. We were outgrowing our building as the collections were expanding.
With the help from the Township of Emo, we were able to sign a 99-year lease for property on Tyrell Street, behind the OPP station. We are forever grateful to the township for helping us realize our vision of a new museum.
In the meantime, until we get our new building, we are working on renovating building #3, to be opened in the spring. Watch for the opening and come out to see what is new.
Artifacts, pictures, and family histories are always wanted. If you have any to contribute, please contact us.
On Feb. 20, we will be celebrating Heritage Week by having a lunch at the Emo Knox United Church from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A hearty meal of ham, hot dishes, salads, buns, and desserts is being served for $8.
Then on Saturday, March 14, we are having our second-annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner at the Devlin Hall, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and with entertainment to follow.
The meal will consist of corned beef and cabbage, roast pork, potatoes, mixed vegetables, salads, biscuits, lemon pie, and apple crisp—all for the price of $15.
2009 will be another busy year for us at the W.I. Museum. Another item on our agenda is our “Village Histories” from across the Rainy River District to be featured in our local newspapers.
Many of the stories are written by the pioneers themselves, and are both educational and entertaining. Be sure to watch for them.
We also are putting together a cookbook of recipes from W.I. members past and present. If you have some to contribute, the recipes can be dropped off at the museum in Emo.
Our museum is operated on a volunteer basis and we are always looking for help. If you can give us a few hours a week or any time, contact us at 21 Tyrell St. in Emo or call 488-5360.
