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.
Series consists of records of Elmer Ellingsen's personal and business activities, which included logging, operating heavy equipment and supplying gravel, real estate, and film distribution. Business records include correspondence, financial records, legal records, receipts and invoices, mortgage agreements, and receipts and invoices. Personal records include correspondence, financial records, ephemera, and some records relating to his father's estate. Series is arranged in five sub-series: 3.1 Logging records; 3.2 Elmay film distribution records; 3.3 Backhoe and gravel business; 3.4 Real estate; 3.5 Personal activities
Series consists of records of Elmer Ellingsen's personal and business activities, which included logging, operating heavy equipment and supplying gravel, real estate, and film distribution. Business records include correspondence, financial records, legal records, receipts and invoices, mortgage agreements, and receipts and invoices. Personal records include correspondence, financial records, ephemera, and some records relating to his father's estate. Series is arranged in five sub-series: 3.1 Logging records; 3.2 Elmay film distribution records; 3.3 Backhoe and gravel business; 3.4 Real estate; 3.5 Personal activities
