Fonds consists of textual records generated by the Whaletown Women's Institute organized into seven series: Minutes, Financial Records, Administrative Records, Reports, Projects, Correspondence and Notes.
The Whaletown Women's Institute (WWI) began in 1920 as the Friendship Circle. In 1923 it became a branch of the Women's Institute, a community service organization for women with the goals of fostering the skills of rural women, improving their lives and works, and celebrating their achievements. During its years of activity, the WWI was very active in working for local improvement. Some of their projects included initiating a library service, donating books to the school, arranging for regular visits of a doctor and dentist, hosting an annual Christmas party and providing gifts for all the Whaletown children, maintaining the cemetery, fund-raising for a school playground, financing firefighting equipment and installing an emergency telephone network. The WWI was disbanded in 1963.
Custodial History
These records of the Whaletown Women's Institute were held by Gilean Douglas, a past officer in the WWI and author of a history of the Women's Institutes in Canada. Upon her death, they went into the possession of her literary executer, Gillian Milton, who turned them over to the Cortes Island Women's Institute. They were subsequently returned to her custody, and donated to CIMAS.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of textual records generated by the Whaletown Women's Institute organized into seven series: Minutes, Financial Records, Administrative Records, Reports, Projects, Correspondence and Notes.
File consists of three pages of textual records pertaining to a January 1953 agreement between the Whaletown Women's Institute and the Whaletown Community Club regarding use of the Church Hall
File consists of three pages of textual records pertaining to a January 1953 agreement between the Whaletown Women's Institute and the Whaletown Community Club regarding use of the Church Hall
File consists of three copies of the Handbook of BC Women's Institutes; the BCWI News (3 issues 1960; 4 issues 1964); Notice of Meeting cards (blank); two copies of the Institute Ode; the WI prayer; constitution and by-laws. Material was originally in the possession of Gilean Douglas.
File consists of three copies of the Handbook of BC Women's Institutes; the BCWI News (3 issues 1960; 4 issues 1964); Notice of Meeting cards (blank); two copies of the Institute Ode; the WI prayer; constitution and by-laws. Material was originally in the possession of Gilean Douglas.
Photograph of the Whaletown Women's Institute and school children at the Whaletown school on the occasion of the presentation of a library to the school. (ID)
Seated women from right: Milly Hill, Barbara Hunt, ?
In truck: Lynn and Ann Robertson
Men: Mr. Philip Douglas, School Rep, Mr. A. Ferguson, teacher, facing the camera
Seated children: Doreen Huck, Andy Robertson behind her
Standing women: Muriel Whiting, third from right; Mrs. Ferguson behind her
Photograph of the Whaletown Women's Institute and school children at the Whaletown school on the occasion of the presentation of a library to the school. (ID)
Seated women from right: Milly Hill, Barbara Hunt, ?
In truck: Lynn and Ann Robertson
Men: Mr. Philip Douglas, School Rep, Mr. A. Ferguson, teacher, facing the camera
Seated children: Doreen Huck, Andy Robertson behind her
Standing women: Muriel Whiting, third from right; Mrs. Ferguson behind her
File contains an agreement passing the responsibility for the Church Hall (at the corner of Harbour road next to the first Whaletown cemetery) from the Whaletown Community Club to the Whaletown Women's Institute. At that time, the Gorge Harbour Community Hall Society turned the Gorge Hall over to the Whaletown Community Club.
File contains an agreement passing the responsibility for the Church Hall (at the corner of Harbour road next to the first Whaletown cemetery) from the Whaletown Community Club to the Whaletown Women's Institute. At that time, the Gorge Harbour Community Hall Society turned the Gorge Hall over to the Whaletown Community Club.
Group photo of a Women's Institute meeting at the Smith property at Seaford.
Standing, left to right, Betty Jeffery holding Joan Jeffery, Eva Freeman, Mrs. Mary Jeffery, Florence McKay, Isla Forrest, Anna Middleton, Mrs. Cowan, May Easton, Mrs. Ada Easton (cook and partner for Walter Hansen Log), Mrs. Henry (Rose) Tiber, Jack Manson, Harry (Jr.) Middleton.
Kneeling in front, left to right, Nellie Jeffery and Julia Smith.
Group photo of a Women's Institute meeting at the Smith property at Seaford.
Standing, left to right, Betty Jeffery holding Joan Jeffery, Eva Freeman, Mrs. Mary Jeffery, Florence McKay, Isla Forrest, Anna Middleton, Mrs. Cowan, May Easton, Mrs. Ada Easton (cook and partner for Walter Hansen Log), Mrs. Henry (Rose) Tiber, Jack Manson, Harry (Jr.) Middleton.
Kneeling in front, left to right, Nellie Jeffery and Julia Smith.
This is a recording of a skit to be performed by the Cortes Island Women's Institute, with all four parts read by Lillian Nesling. It is recorded over a music tape.
This is a recording of a skit to be performed by the Cortes Island Women's Institute, with all four parts read by Lillian Nesling. It is recorded over a music tape.
File consists of printed WI reports and newsletters with articles by or news about Gilean Douglas, and one typed manuscript of Douglas' report as Publicity Convenor for the provincial WI.
File consists of printed WI reports and newsletters with articles by or news about Gilean Douglas, and one typed manuscript of Douglas' report as Publicity Convenor for the provincial WI.
File consists of papers about the start of the local Women's Institutes, including a letter by May Ellingsen outlining the history of the women's service groups in Manson's Landing.
File consists of papers about the start of the local Women's Institutes, including a letter by May Ellingsen outlining the history of the women's service groups in Manson's Landing.