Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Richmond Women's Institute
General material designation
- Textual record
Parallel title
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Fonds
Repository
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Edition statement of responsibility
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Statement of scale (cartographic)
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Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
Physical description area
Physical description
4.5 cm of textual records
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Women's Institute was founded in 1897 by Adelaide Hoodless of Stoney Creek, Ontario. Alma Jane Porter, of Andover, New Brunswick, was instrumental in introducing the organization to New Brunswick women. Between 1911 and 1960 hundreds of branches of the Women's Institute were established across the province.
New Brunswick's involvement in the Women's Institute began on June 12, 1911 in Andover. Mrs. James E. Porter (nee Alma J. Watson), invited leaders from the Ontario Department of Agriculture to tell local farmers and their wives about Women's Institutes. Mrs. Porter, whose husband had been an M.L.A. from Victoria County had become conscious of the loneliness of farm women during her constituency travels. Following James Porter's retirement from political life in 1903, he returned to his farming, and lumbering interests. His progressive ideas necessitated trips to Ontario and Quebec and during those trips Mrs. Porter learned about the Women's Institute. After initiating the organization, Mrs. Porter continued to take an active interest in the Women's Institute until her death in 1951 and was called the "Mother of the Women's Institutes in New Brunswick".
The Richmond Women's Institute was formed on June 9, 1912. Mrs. Alma J. Watson of Debec was the first president. Members were drawn from Debec, MacKenzie Corner, Green Road, Limestone, Speerville, Park Mountain, Oak Mountain, and Maple Dale. The meetings were held monthly at members' homes, local churches or the I.O.O.F. Hall in Debec. The Richmond Women's Institute had adhered strongly to the aims of the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada; - "to promote an appreciation of rural living, to develop informed citizens through the study of national and international issues (particularly those affecting women and children) and to initiate national programs to achieve common goals."
Custodial history
Scope and content
The collection contains the records of the Richmond Women's Institute during the 1920s and early 1930s. The volunteer work of the Institute reflected the needs of the time. Members of the WI assisted in diptheria clinics and provided for the needy immigrants during the Depression. Money was raised by producing plays and catering meals. Social times included picnics and Halloween parties.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Donated by the Chapter's secretary.
Arrangement
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
An inventory is available.
Associated materials
The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick holds the records of a number of branches of the Women's Institute.