The Braeside Women's Institute, a branch in Renfrew South District, was formed on December 2, 1927 and disbanded in 1983. The branch. contributed in many areas such as child welfare, health, libraries, playgrounds, millinery, cooking and sewing. Its first President was Mrs. A.E. de Renzy and its first secretary was Mrs. F. H. Bronskill; they both volunteered as librarians for opening of library and provided water tanks for school.
Acquisition Source
Donated by the Women's Institute of Braeside, 1993, c/o of Museum and Mrs. Neda Dean of Arnprior in December 1998.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of 2 Series: Series 1 contains four volumes (books) of Tweedsmuir Histories and Series 2 contains 11 Minute Books. The first Tweedsmuir History is contained in a binder and stored with the Minutes while the wooden covered Tweedsmuirs are stored on the top shelf.
Braeside Women's Institute: Series 1
Tweedsmuir Histories. -- 1946-1982. -- 1 binder; 24.5 cm x 28.5 cm; 1.5 cm of text and photos and 3 scrapbooks bound in pine wood covers; 33 x 40 cm; 19.5 cm text, photos and cover.
The compilation of the Tweedsmuir histories was begun in 1946, and no entries exist after 1982. They document the social, political, and economic history of Braeside over a period from about 1872 to the 1980’s. They contain such items as the agendas for annual meetings, newspaper clippings, photographs of Institute members and events, residents and buildings, histories of local families, buildings and industries. In the burgundy binder is a map of the village, dated 1910.
(Partial Photo index)
Photo Description Year
1 b&w, Book 1, p. 8,
Members of W.I. 1952
6 b&w Bk. 1, p. 15
Members of W.I. no date
1 b&w Bk. 1, p. 18
Members of W.I. 1971
1 b&w Bk. 1, p. 29, Gillies Mill 1919
1 b&w, 6 col. Bk. 2, Members dinner no date
2 col. Bk. 2, Members of W.I. no date
3 col. Bk. 2, Views of Braeside no date
2 b&w Bk. 2, Rev. Baumann and
Braeside United Church no date
2 b&w Bk. 3, Braeside school no date
2 col. Bk. 3, New public school in Braeside no date
1 b&w, 1 col. Bk. 3, Braeside United Church no date
6 b&w Bk. 3, Gillies Mill no date
2 b&w Bk. 3, Queens of Centennial Carnival 1967
1 b&w Bk. 3, Members of W.I. 1952
1 b&w Bk. 3, Log barn at Malcolm
Campbells, Braeside no date
3 b&w Bk. 3, Citizens of Braeside,
Gillies Mill, Colin McNab telegraph building no date
Braeside Women's Institute: Series 2
Minute Books. -- 1927-1983. -- 11 bound volumes; 21 x 27 cm or smaller.
Series comprises minute books, documenting the activities and decisions made by the Women’s Institute and financial papers.
Access Restriction
Tweedsmuir Books - please use digitized version rather than original. Available in resources folder. Also searchable online through the FWIO Virtual Archives.