Fonds - Reidville Women’s Institute fonds

The Reidville Women’s Institute was founded on November 22, 1928 with Mrs. Johnson (Ella) Hannah as the first President. This branch was a part of the Addington District Women’s Institute, which later amalgamated with Lennox District to make Lennox and Addington District Women’s Institute. Sixteen members attended the first meeting. The Reidville branch is still in existence in 2009, surviving many branches in the area. As a result of this, many individuals from nearby disbanded branches joined the Reidville branch, namely members from the Croydon branch when they disbanded in 1944. The first contributions by the Reidville branch were mostly for the school. They were instrumental in providing essentials to the school, such as a water tank, water pail and cup, towels, soap, water-basin, First Aid supplies, a map, weather-strip, and repairs for the school windows. In 1932, the branch had a meeting with school trustees to discuss the benefits of hiring a music teacher for the public school, after which a teacher was hired and the branch purchased a secondhand organ for their use. Some of the regular events which Reidville Women’s Institute hosted were an annual picnic along the Salmon River, Hallowe’en and Valentine parties, oyster suppers, box socials, gift exchanges, and treats for children during the concert at Christmas time. Like many other Women’s Institute branches, Reidville was involved with supporting the Centreville Red Cross during World War II. They sewed, knit, sent boxes overseas for the local boys, and gave signet rings and leather wallets to the boys when they returned home. Reidville branch was responsible was making a travelling library for the community, which was supported and staffed by a Women’s Institute member. In 1961, they bought an electric stove and refrigerator for Centreville Hall. Reidville has participated with an exhibit at the Centreville Fair since the 1930s. Funds were raised by holding quilting and sewing bees, card parties, draws, dances, ham suppers, and catering events. In the early years, donations were often in the form of homemade clothing for needy children, food for elderly, and flowers or goodies for the sick and shut-in. Other donations went to the Navy League, Tobermory Hospital, League of Nations, Children’s Fund, Sick Children’s Hospital, C.N.I.B., sugar for Jam Fund, War Charity Fund, 4-H clubs, interval house, fire victims, museum, and library. The Tweedsmuirs of Reidville contain information on local news and issues, as well as reflections on the accomplishments of the Reidville branch since 1923. Reidville has produced three volumes of Tweedsmuirs since the 1960s; all originals are held at the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives. The Reading Room of the Archives also holds Volume I on microfilm and a copy in a bound book. The Tweedsmuir Conveners were Mrs. Harold Brown (1963-1967), Mrs. Hugh (Cora) Reid (1976-83; 1988-1999), and Mrs. John (Helen) Wilson (1983-1988). Some of the most significant subjects within the collection are: programmes, small histories of local personalities, house and community histories, family trees, Churches, schools, greeting cards, history of the local fences, anniversaries, health information, and obituaries. Some of the past Women’s Institute Presidents of Reidville were: Mrs. Johnson (Ella) Hannah (1928-1930), Mrs. James Milligan (1930-1932), Mrs. Stanley (Lillie) Doupe (1932-1933), Mrs. Edward (Julia) Hannah (1933-1935), Mrs. George McLaren (1935-1937), Mrs. Fred (Catherine) Reid (1937-1939), Mrs. John (Helen) Wilson (1939-1942), Mrs. Donald (Jessie) Hannah (1942-1944), Mrs. Oscar (Pansy) Fenwick (1944-1946), Miss Esther McLaren (1946-1948), Mrs. Almore (Bessie) Hyland (1948-1950), Mrs. Murney (Virlie) Marlin (1950-1952), Mrs. Hugh (Cora) Reid (1952-1953; 1959-1962; 1979-1981), Mrs. Nelson (Ruby) Kennedy (1953-1957), Mrs. Victor (Mildred) McGregor (1957-1958; 1976-1978), Mrs. Harry (Ada) Doupe (1958-1959), Mrs. Arthur (Jean) Reid (1962-1965), Mrs. Gerald (Elaine) Wilson (1965-1967), Mrs. Harold (Marie) Brown (1967-1969), Mrs. Carl (Dorothy) Wilson (1969-1971; 1984-1987; 1994-2000), Mrs. Douglas (Helen) Brown (1971-1974; 1990-1994), Mrs. Clarence (Marie) Brown (1974-1976), Mrs. John (Debbie) Helsloot (1978-1979), Mrs. Ray (Helen) Brown (1981-1984), and Mrs. Harold Good (1987-1990).