Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Brooklin Women's Institute fonds
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- Textual record
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- Object
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- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the fonds.
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Fonds
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Physical description
ca. 43 cm of textual records
94 photographs : b&w
59 photographs : col.
2 pins : metal
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Archival description area
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Administrative history
The Brooklin Women's Institute (WI) was founded in May 1910. This organization was an offshoot of the Whitby WI, which had been operative since 1897. The Brooklin WI was led by a president and a small executive team, including first and second vice presidents and a secretary-treasurer. Roughly 20 individuals maintained annual membership, especially in the organization's early decades.
The WI's goal was to educate women regarding the application of domestic science to homemaking activities. The WI also engaged in lobbying activities, submitting resolutions to municipal and provincial governments. All WI endeavors were orchestrated by standing committees comprising members. Committees organized lectures, prepared resolutions, participated in community activities, and created “Tweedsmuir histories,” or scrapbooks containing narratives about the region. The Brooklin WI’s committees included the following: Resolutions; Agriculture and Canadian Industries; Historical Research and Current Events; Public Relations and Community Activities; Citizenship and Education; and Home Economics and Health.
The Brooklin WI was active in the regional community over the years: it fundraised for the township hall; donated to the Brooklin library; hosted hobby shows, educational programs, and essay prize programs for children; planted trees; and held health clinics, including one in which children were given tonsil operations. To raise funds, the Brooklin WI delivered radio broadcasts and served at fairs, garden parties, banquets, concerts, and dramas.
Like the Whitby WI, the Brooklin WI appears to have focused on the concerns of white, middle-class, Christian women in the region. The organization's Tweedsmuir histories demonstrate this tendency, centering on the region's white European pioneers and their descendants.
The Brooklin WI disbanded in 1997.
Custodial history
Records may have been transferred to Archives at Whitby Public Library in 2014. The precise donation date, donor, and prior custodians are unknown.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of the Brooklin WI's minute books, Tweedsmuir histories, and financial records. Records are arranged chronologically in subject files.
Notes area
Physical condition
Several pages have fallen out of minute books and are tucked within book covers. Minute book spine labels have become detached as a result of tape adhesive degradation.
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
The archivist maintained records in their received physical order.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Some records in the fonds may be protected under copyright. Permission to reproduce copyrighted materials must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). See archivist for details.
Finding aids
A file list is attached.
Associated materials
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
General note
A list of deaccessioned items and records is available. See archivist for details.
Conservation
Two minute books (1929-1932; 1932-1937) were removed and set aside in December 2017 for conservation treatment due to mould damage.
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Description created by Gillian Dunks in December 2017.