Fonds 334 Rio Grande Women’s Institute fonds

1923-1956. — 11 cm of textual records. — 50 photographs.

Agency History

The Rio Grande Women’s Institute was formed in 1923. Charter members included Mrs. J. Scully, Mrs. E. Duteau, Mrs. W. Walker, Mrs. E. McDonnell, Mrs. H. Jordan, Mrs. A. Hill, Mrs. Longson, Sr., Mrs. F. Brewer, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Cook Sr., Mrs. Reuinger, Mrs. Ducharme, MRs. A. Funnell, Mrs. Frazer, Mrs. Schill, Mrs. Bedier, Mrs. J.M. O’Connell, Miss Watherston, Mrs. J Sheppard, Mra. W. Chamberlain, Mrs. Kenney, Mrs. Wenzell, Mrs. C. Leckie, Mrs. Ramsey, Miss V.E. Ramsey, Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Morrison, Mrs.Kindman?, Mrs. Dahl, Mrs. Beadle and Mrs. Borden. Every meeting was opened by singing “O Canada”, reciting their creed and then roll call which always required the answer to a question like “How do you keep children content on the farm?”or “What is your favorite cake recipe?”
The meeting included an informative talk given by a member or a guest and possibly some music for entertainment. The group was a main organizer for the community and raised money through putting on community suppers, dances, whist parties, bazaars, and selling ice cream at picnics. In the 1930s many new members joined – mainly from Elmworth. They often put on plays such as the one in 1930-31 called “Old Maid’s Convention”. They sponsored baby clinics, and supported families who needed help. During the war years the group was busy making quilts, knitting socks and mitts and filling ditty bags to be sent overseas to the servicemen of the Navy League and also to the sons of members. In the 1950s, raffles, rummage sales, catering, sending parcels to Britain and going to conventions were still keeping them busy. Membership was highest from the 1930s to the mid 1940s.

Custodial History

These records were originally donated to the South Peace Centennial Museum in Beaverlodge by B. Williams and Hazel Miller and were transferred to South Peace Regional Archives by Lori Dalgleish.

Scope and Content

The fonds consists of 2 financial journals (1930-1954), 3 minute books (1930-1953), and 2 photograph albums (1923-1956)

Notes

Series 334.01	Minutes
Series 334.02	Financial records
Series 334.03	Photographs
Series 334.04	Associated Organization

Series 334.01

Minutes. — 1930-1953. — 5 cm of textual records.The series consists of 3 minute books from January, 1930 to November, 1953.

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Series 334.02

Financial records. — 1930-1953. — 1 cm of textual records.The series consists of 2 financial record books, one from 1930-1953 which includes a roll call list from 1930-1953 and another book lists financial transactions in 1954.

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Series 334.03

Photographs. — 1923-1953. — 3 cm of textual records. — 50 photographs.The series consists of a photograph album containing a list of the charter members, photographs of many of the early members and early settlers with descriptions, including photographs of members who were active in different years. An “In Memorium” page lists members who had passed away by 1975. A photocopy of the album is included.

Mrs. Will Walker, 1923
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. Will Walker was the first secretary of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute which organized in 1923.
Location: 0334.03.01a

Mrs. Albert Hill and Mrs. Duteau, 1923
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. Albert Hill (L) was the first president of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute which organized in 1923. Mrs. Duteau is seen on the right.
Location: 0334.03.01b

Mrs. J. Scully, 1923
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mrs.J. Scully of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute with her only son, John, who was killed in action during WWII.
Location: 0334.03.03a

Mrs.Schell and Mrs. E. Duteau, 1923
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4
Mrs.J. Schell and Mrs. Duteau, two of the first women in the Rio Grande Women’s Institute, going berry picking. It was a fun excursion in the early days.
Location: 0334.03.03b

Mrs. E. Duteau, 1923
1 photograph; b & w; 1 x 2
Mrs. Duteau, (later Mrs. B. Cook) one of the first women in the Rio Grande Women’s Institute. “No meeting was quite the same without her ready wit and willing hands.”
Location: 0334.03.03c

Mrs.H. Jordan & Mrs. Leo Cook, [1950]
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 5
Mrs. H. Jordan (right) with sister-in-law, Mrs. Leo Cook who was a later member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute.
Location: 0334.03.04a

Mrs.W.Chamberlain, [1950]
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 5
Mrs. W. Chamberlain, one of the members of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute from the far west region.
Location: 0334.03.04b

Mrs.E. Mc Donnell & Hubby, [1960]
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. E. McDonnell one of the members of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute seen here in Victoria in retirement with her husband. They were the Rio Grande postmaster and storekeepers for many years.
Location: 0334.03.05a

Mrs.Longson and Family, n.d.
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mrs. Longson and family in a real Peace River garden.
Location: 0334.03.05b

Mrs. A. Kenney, n.d.
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 3
Mrs. A. Kenney, charter member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute, later lived in White Rock , BC
Location: 0334.03.05c

Mrs.F.T. Brewer & Girls, n.d.
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mrs.F.T. Brewer, a charter member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute, “Always open house for the bachelors around and later the Elmworth post office and store was operated here.”
Location: 0334.03.06a

Mrs.Campbell, n.d.
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mrs. Campbell, a charter member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute, left for the USA and returned to become Mrs. Brewer of Elmworth (Cammy to all her friends)
Location: 0334.03.06b

Mrs.J. Ducharme, n.d.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. J. Ducharme, a charter member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute. “Dewey” to everyone. Good friend, good neighbor, good and conscientious member.”
Location: 0334.03.06c

Mrs.E. Jones, [1925]
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mrs. E. Jones. a charter member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute.
Location: 0334.03.07a

Mrs C. Leckie and Sister, n.d.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. C. Leckie, a charter member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute with her sister, a later member.
Location: 0334.03.07b

Mrs Bisbing, n.d.
1 photograph scan; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. E Bisbing (nee Miss Ramsey). a charter member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute.
Location: 0334.03.07c

“Happy Days – Off to a Meeting”, [1925]
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Ducharme, Mrs. Walker and three children off to a meeting of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute.
Location: 0334.03.07d

The Reninger Family, [1925]
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
The Reninger family. Mrs. Reninger was a charter member of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute.
Location: 0334.03.08a

The Cook Family, [1925]
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 3
The Cook family were early settlers in the Rio Grande area. Mrs. Quinn, Mrs. Koebel, Mrs. Querin were all members of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute.
Location: 0334.03.08b

Mrs Duteau and Friend, [1925]
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. Duteau and friend.
Location: 0334.03.08c

Rio Grande Women’s Institute Group, [1924]
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Rio Grande Women’s Institute group:Top R-L: Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. Jewett, Mrs. Williams Sr. and Mrs. Smoke.Middle: Mrs. Sterr, Mrs. Ducharme, Doris Miller, Mrs. Dickinson. Front: Mrs. Bousfield, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Frame, Mrs. Walker, and Tom Williams and Doreen Bousfield
Location: 0334.03.09a

Mrs B. Bolin and Eric, [1924]
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 3
Mrs. B.Bolin, Rio Grande Women’s Institute member abd son Eric.
Location: 0334.03.09b

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Funnell, 1925-26
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mr.and Mrs. Tom Funnell (nee Miss Baston – district health nurse) on their wedding day at Halcourt.
Location: 0334.03.10a

Mrs. E. Williams, 1925-26
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mrs. E. Williams, “Nan”, mother of Mrs. Walker,
Location: 0334.03.10b

Women’s Institute Group, 1927-28
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute: Top R-L: Mrs. H. Holts, Mrs. Bagley, Mrs. E. Williams, Mrs. E. Bisbing, Miss V. Ramsey, Mrs. E. MacDonnel, R. Koebel, Mrs. Meraw, Mrs. Walker. Front Row R-L: Mrs. R. Jacobs and friend, Dorothy Cunningham (Quinn), Mrs. Bedell.
Location: 0334.03.11

Mrs. Goodman, 1928-29
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member, Mrs. Goodman
Location: 0334.03.12a

Dorothy Cunningham, 1928-29
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member, Dorothy Cunningham – driver for the west end members. Later she became Mrs. G. Quinn
Location: 0334.03.12b

Mrs. Cunningham, 1928-29
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member, Mrs. Cunningham – “our river member. Such jolly days at the crossing”
Location: 0334.03.12c

“Old Maids Convention”, 1930-32
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Rio Grande Women’s Institute members in 1930-31 staged a play, “Old Maids’ Convention”. The cast of the play and fellow workers and members: L-R: Mrs. Bedell, Mrs. G. Quinn, Mrs. Alde, Mrs. A. Holtz, Mrs. J. Sims (Duteau), Mrs. H. Holtz, Mrs. Sheppard, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Wheatley, Mrs. Chamberlain, Mrs. Cook Sr., Mrs. Telfor, Mrs. J. Brough, Mrs. Barker, Mrs. E. Sims, Mrs. Alf Cunningham,. Seated: Mrs. Ducharme, Mrs. H. Alde and girl, Mrs. N. Luigrell, Mrs. Meraw.
Location: 0334.03.13

Mrs. Jim Grant, 1933-35
1 photograph; b & w; 4 x 4
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member. Mrs. Jim Grant, later moved to Chilliwack, BC.
Location: 0334.03.14a

Mrs. Harry Grant, 1933-35
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member. Mrs. Harry Grant.
Location: 0334.03.14b

Mrs.Hazel Miller, 1933-35
1 photograph; b & w; 1 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member. Mrs. Hazel Miller
Location: 0334.03.14c

Rosy Le Deau, 1936-38
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member, Rosie Le Deau
Location: 0334.03.15a

Elmworth Ladies, 1936-38
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Rio Grande Women’s Institute members mostly from Elmworth: Mrs. E. Bousfield, Mrs. Brewer, Mrs. J. Grant, Mrs. J. Dickenson, Mrs. Breden
Location: 0334.03.15b

Mrs. Le Deau, 1933-35
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 5
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member, Mrs. Le Deau
Location: 0334.03.15c

Mrs. Morton, Provincial President, Women’s Institute, 1942-44
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute members attended the constituency conference in Sexsmith. Mrs. Morton is the Provincial President.
Location: 0334.03.17a

Women’s Constituency Conference, 1942
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Rio Grande Women’s Institute members attended the constituency conference in Sexsmith in June, 1942. Rio Grande members attending were Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. Quinn, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. L. Williams, constituency convenor.
Location: 0334.03.17b

Visit of HRH Princess Alice, 1945-1946
1 photograph; b & w; 4 x 5
Grande Prairie Women’s Institute hosted the visit of HRH Princess Alice. Mrs. D.W .Patterson stands to the right of Princess Alice.
Location: 0334.03.18

Mrs. Attwood (Edna White), 1947-1949
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member, Mrs. Attwood (Edna White)
Location: 0334.03.19b

Mrs. Tom Williams (Lucy Leckie), 1947-1949
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member, Mrs. Tom Williams (Lucy Leckie)
Location: 0334.03.19c

Mrs Tilley Gaunt, 1947-1949
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4
Rio Grande Women’s Institute member, Mrs. Tilley Gaunt.
Location: 0334.03.19d

Mrs. Joyce Hora, 1950-1953
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. Joyce Hora (Joyce Russell) with her baby. Joyce is the dauther of Mrs Leo Cook and sister to Eva Brough.
Location: 0334.03.20a

Mrs. Eva Brough, 1950-1953
1 photograph; b & w; 1 x 2
Mrs. Eva Brough, daughter of Mrs. Leo Cook and sister to Joyce Hora
Location: 0334.03.20b

Mrs. Eva Brough with Child and Dog, 1950-1953
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
Mrs. Eva Brough, daughter of Mrs. Leo Cook and sister to Joyce Hora
Location: 0334.03.20c

Mrs. Joyce Hora in Winter, 1950-1953
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mrs. Joyce Hora (Joyce Russell) in later years.
Location: 0334.03.20d

Rio Grande Women’s Institute Meeting, 1950-1953
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 3
One of the final meetings of the Rio Grande Women’s Institute held at Mrs. Mc Niels. Top L-R: Hazel Miller, Mrs. Sheppard, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Dan O’Connell. 2nd Row: Mrs. Wes Mc Niel, Mrs. Deepdale, Mrs. Eva Brough. 3 rd Row: Mrs. Quinn, Mrs. Holtz, Mrs. Nicholl and baby, Mrs. Cook.
Location: 0334.03.21

Mrs. Quinn and Mrs. Cunningham, 1956
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 5
Mrs. Quinn and Mrs. Cunningham sitting on their luggage next to a vehicle.
Location: 0334.03.22

Mrs Schell, Husband, and Daughter, n.d.
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4
Mrs. Schell and husband and daughter. The Schells were early settlers in Rio Grande.
Location: 0334.03.22b

Pearl Cook, n.d.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 3
A newspaper clipping photograph of Pearl Cook, formerly Pearl Robertson.
Location: 0334.03.24

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Series 334.04

Associated Organization. — n.d.. — 2 cm of textual records.The series consists of a photograph album containing photos from a sister Women’s Institute member in Shrewley, Warwickshire, England.

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1923-1956. — 11 cm of textual records. — 50 photographs.

Agency History

Custodial History

Scope and Content

Notes

Table of Contents

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