Archief - Clachan Women's Institute fonds

The Clachan Women’s Institute was founded on January 29, 1914. Mr. Charles Buchanan, Elgin's agricultural representative, visited Clachan Hall to address farmers of the community and brought Miss Gilhom of Bright, to address ladies. Mrs. Testain of the general store offered her home for the ladies' meeting. Enough ladies were contacted to have a meeting that afternoon. The date of February 10th saw the first meeting in the Hall. Members of the Highgate Institute offered to help, which was gladly accepted. Within a few weeks, 41 ladies paid the 25-cent membership fee. Mrs. J.H. Trestain was chosen as the first president., Miss Jessie Colquhoun the 1st Vice-President and Miss Cassie McLarty (Mrs. John W. Campbell) the secretary-treasurer. The date set for the monthly meetings was the fourth Thursday of each month, which was not changed down through the years. Mrs. Herb Meyer and Mrs. Colquhoun were appointed delegates to the first area convention in London that year.

They learned much about the Red Cross as the First World War had broken out and the Institute wanted to give its best efforts to bring comfort to soldiers and others who suffered because of the war. Again in 1940, the W.I. repeated its effort and many quilts and much new clothing were sent away. In 1952, Elgin's centennial year, the community spirit was very evident as young and old gathered at the Fleming Cemetery for a clean-up bee. At the Purcell-McLean cemetery, trees were planted in memory of two local boys who gave their lives in the First World War. Plowing Matches and Cash Crop Days found the ladies ready to feed the hungry. Also, 4-H Clubs have been sponsored. The institute was disbanded in October 2014.