File consists of two binders, "North Vancouver Island Women's Institute History up to 1992", compiled in 1992, and containing chapters on the Cortes Island Women's Institute and the Whaletown Women's Institute. (One binder is kept on the informational shelves of the museum.)
File consists of two binders, "North Vancouver Island Women's Institute History up to 1992", compiled in 1992, and containing chapters on the Cortes Island Women's Institute and the Whaletown Women's Institute. (One binder is kept on the informational shelves of the museum.)
Sous-fonds consists of records of the Cortes Island Women's Institute. It is arranged in nine series: Minutes, Reports, Financial, Administrative Records, Correspondence, Subject Files, Ephemera, Photographs and Artifacts.
The Cortes Island Women's institute was formed in 1984. Although Cortes Island had historically been difficult to traverse, and the communities consequently insular, by the 1980s the road systems were such that "a Women's Institute for the whole of Cortes Island" seemed to make sense.
CIWI was founded with the bank balance of a Manson's Landing service group called the Ladies Guild, which was founded in the 1940s. When membership and activity in the guild declined in the 1970s, the focus was shifted to a renovation and addition to Manson's Hall. Once the Hall had been sufficiently updated, it was thought that the remaining funds might be put to use "creating an instrument for better communication between all our women and a chance to work together in the community".
Charter members of the CIWI were Heather Berry, Peggy Newsham, Maryann McCoy, Linda Hendricks, and Mary Block.
Custodial History
Records were donated to CIMAS by the Island Women's Club in 2009.
Scope and Content
Sous-fonds consists of records of the Cortes Island Women's Institute. It is arranged in nine series: Minutes, Reports, Financial, Administrative Records, Correspondence, Subject Files, Ephemera, Photographs and Artifacts.
Photograph of Gilean Douglas (L), MaryAnn McCoy (R) and Leona Mueller (behind) at the meeting of the Cortes Island Women's Institute at Channel Rock, where Gilean Douglas was presented with a Life Membership in the Women's Institute.
Photograph of Gilean Douglas (L), MaryAnn McCoy (R) and Leona Mueller (behind) at the meeting of the Cortes Island Women's Institute at Channel Rock, where Gilean Douglas was presented with a Life Membership in the Women's Institute.
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.
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.
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.