FIRST WOMEN’S INSTITUTE 1897

FIRST WOMEN’S INSTITUTE 1897

The world’s first Women’s Institute was organized at Squire’s Hall, Stoney Creek, in 1897. Erland Lee, a founder of the Farmers’ Institute, assisted by his wife, arranged the meeting. About 100 women from the Saltfleet Township district attended and were persuaded by Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless to form an organization of their own to improve their skills in the arts of homemaking and child care. Here, in the Lee home, Mr. Lee subsequently helped to draft the constitution of the new society. Mrs. E.D. Smith of Winona became the first president of the “Mother Institute”. The Women’s Institutes movement has since become a world-wide organization.

Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Sarah J. McCabe

August 11, 2018