The Arnprior Women’s Institute is a branch within Renfrew South District. Their first meeting was in the Council Chambers on January 8, 1932; 12 members were present and paid a fee of 25 cents. Over the years Arnprior Women's Institute has supported such causes as St. John Ambulance, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Victorian Order of Nurses, Arnprior Fair, Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital, Arnprior’s Grove, refugees, and donations to fire victims.
The branch amalgamated in April 2002 with Stewartville to become the Arnprior-Stewartville Branch. That branch then disbanded in 2008, with remaining members joining the White Lake Branch.
Language
English
Acquisition Source
The majority of the items were donated by the Arnprior Women’s Institute Secretary, Mrs. Jean Sadler, in 1994. In June 2004, past president Aleta Greene donated a compilation of member histories which was done in 2000. In February 2011 Amy Neill (Renfrew South District WI Tweedsmuir Co-ordinator) donated two items concerning quilting at the Russell St. Apartments. These last two items were from Rhona Neumann.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of three Series: Minutes & Financial Records, Tweedsmuir Histories and Miscellaneous Material:
Series 1: Minutes & Financial Statements H9.1
This Series contains 13 bound volumes of Minutes & Financial Records dating from 1932-2002
1. 1932-1937
2. 1937-1939
3. 1940-1943
4. 1944-1949
5. 1949-1953
6. 1953-1958
7. 1958-1962
8. 1962-1967
9. 1967-1971
10. 1971-1977
11. 1977-1981
12. 1981-1989
13. 1989-2002
14. Account book (1934-1938)
Series 2: Tweedsmuir Collection Top of Range H
This Series contains 7 volumes documenting the area circa 1915 - 2000. Most volumes contain information concerning the history and activities of the Arnprior Branch as well as the following:
Tweedsmuir History Volume 1
- Some families mentioned are Bell. Buchanon, Campbell, Craig, Cranston, Harrington, Havey, McGonigal, and Murphy
- Lists of members & deceased members up to 1965
- Lady Tweedsmuir visits Arnprior WI – full meeting described, including debate whether men should be taught domestic affairs (p.9)
- 1947 FWIO 50th anniv, with 12,000 members, with photos of attendees taking train (p.17)
- Letter from Harlton WI, England (exchange letters) (p.21)
- Photos of Mrs. S.G. Wilson & Mrs. A Bennett (p.26)
- Arnprior’s name and early history, including pioneer title deeds (p.30)
- Denis Macnamara day book (1874-1876) of his general store – provides list of names (p.32)
- Reminiscences of early days by W.J.Styles, former editor of Chronicle (p.35)
- 1949 Chronicle ‘Our Town’ describing early Arnprior and naming a number of people (p.41)
- 1950 ‘Ottawa Journal’ article talking about June 1869 ‘Neilson’s Weekly’ (p.45)
- Early Arnprior history from papers of Charles Macnamara, including McLachlin paying off Mrs. Arch. McNab, plus 1848 McLachlin and Vancourtland owing money in Bytown (p.47)
- Pioneer tour of Ottawa steamers and stages (p.49)
- 1909 Old Home Week description, including photos of attendees, banner (p.51)
- Old town hall – 3 stories (p.54)
- Extensive centennial activities in 1962, including wedding on a ferris wheel (p.55)
- 1889 County Council with R.G. Moles as warden from Arnprior (p.76)
- 1957 introduction of water meters (p.78)
- “Old Tank Hill” – where water tank was in 1901 (p.79)
- Unique housing project – 1968 (p.80)
- Visit Arnprior Scotland in Aug. 1967 (p.81)
- Details of Frances Murphy – life & death (p.83)
Tweedsmuir History Volume 2
- List of names on honour roll of wars (p.2)
- 1915 newspaper photo of 130th Battalion of Lanark & Renfrew Regiment with some names (p.4)
- 1958 & 1968 Chronicle reports on tribute paid to those died in 3 wars (p.5)
- 1969 article on opening of new library and museum with photos (p.9)
- Arnprior & District memorial Hospital history and number of newspaper photos (p.17)
- Victorian Order of nurses (p.31)
- Brothers William & Edward Beattie reminiscing – reunited after 50 years – some about significant fires as Bill Beattie was fire chief for many years – also includes his obituary (p.34)
- Retirement of Archie Bennett as mail carrier after 30 years (p.36)
- Retirement of Thomas James Cannon and his horse as mail carrier (p.38)
- W.J. Cardiff presented with 50 year pin from masons (p.39)
- John Findley and Dr. John S Findlay – short background and photo of each (p.40)
- Charles Gilmour history and photo (p.41)
- History of Mr. & Mrs. Stephen May, with photo (p.43)
- Honouring Mr. & Mrs. Alex Staye (p.44)
- Guide Joan McKay receives gold cord (p.45)
- Bill Murray invested as Queen’s scout (p.46)
- Tony Foulkes of England visiting Arnprior (p.47)
Tweedsmuir History Volume 3 (Schools)
- History of Arnprior Grammar School & High School. Includes reference to Dugald C. McNab and other principals, names of many early students, including Percival Cooney. There are photos including students, plus wokshop and home ec rooms. (p2)
- Walter Zadow Public School, some 1970 photos of students and early photos of students, with names (p.52)
- Alexander Reid School (p.63)
- Separate Schools (p.68)
Tweedsmuir History Volume 4 (Clubs, Societies, Businesses, Sports)
- History of Business and Professional Club (p.2)
- Chamber of Commerce (p.5)
- Curling Club (p.6)
- Senior Citizens Club (p.8)
- Knights of Columbus (p.12)
- Royal Canadian Legion (p.14)
- Arnprior Lions Club (p.16)
- Lions Boys’ Band (p.18)
- Oddfellow Lodge (IOOF) (p.19)
- Optimist Club (p.20)
- History of Mathewson and Mathewson Furniture (p.21)
- Manpower (Unemplyment commission) (p.22)
- Carleton Products Consultants Ltd (CPCL) (p.23)
- Canadian Public Booth – maker of phone booths, etc (p.25)
- Kenwood Mills / Huyck Canada, including World War 2 honour roll (p.27)
- Playtex (p.32)
- Skyrotors (p.37)
- Bank of Nova Scotia, including details of its fire, & Bank of Ottawa (p.40)
- Smiths Construction (p.47)
- Smith’s Dairy (p.48)
- Drugstore – Frank Frederick (p.49)
- Walker Stores (p.51)
- Dominion Store (p.52)
- Times Fibre Plant – Union Carbide (p.53)
- Sports, including many early sports and athletes – photo of Alerts Schoolboy team of 1916, first regatta, various photos (p.54)
- Picture of wharf (p.65)
- Fire Department, including photo of 1923 firemen and named (p.70)
Tweedsmuir History Volume 5 (Churches)
- Emmanuel Anglican Church (p.2)
- Calvary Baptist Church (p.6)
- Elgin Street Baptist Church (p.7)
- First Baptist Church (p.9)
- Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (p.16)
- Lutheran Church (p.17)
- Wesleyan Methodist Church (p.21)
- Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church (p.22)
- St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (p.25)
- St. John Chrysostom Roman Catholic church (p.32)
- St. Theresa’s Novitiate (Oblate Order) (p.39)
- Grace St. Andrew’s United Church (p.40)
- Article on the Salvation Army in Arnprior and the timber ear – by Charlotte Whitton (p.50)
Tweedsmuir History Volume 6 (Newspaper clippings primarily from mid 1980s to mid 1990s)
- 1988 Federated news magazine describing the conference (p.2)
- Erland lee Museum & Hoodless Homestead (p.27)
- Arnprior WI’s 25th anniversary in 1957 with photos (p.34)
- Arnprior WIs start & history with photos (p.37)
- Mr. & Mrs. Archie Bennett – 60th anniversary in 1978 (p.39)
- Arnprior WI’s 50th anniversary in 1982 with photos – lists recent Presidents & Sec-Treas. (p.40)
- Plaque at Burnstown for start of Renfrew south District (p.43)
- Arnprior WIs 10 year achievements around 1985 (p.45)
- Arnprior WI’s 1983/84 program (p.46)
- Summary of the WI (p.47)
- 1983 Appreciation Tea at Burnstown (p.50)
- Federal Study Centre & Canadian Civil Defence College (also known as Emergency Measures) (p.51)
- List of departed WI members since 1957 (p.52)
- 1986 photos of members – Anderson, MacDowell, Raddatz, Hutchison, Gardner, Campbell, Cameron, Symington, Greene (p.53)
- 1984 Tweedsmuir History Day at Calabogie with photos of quilts, etc (p.54)
- Lions Friendship Arch (p.57)
- Alex & Jean Symington 50th anniversary (p.58)
- Martha Grainger’s 90th birthday (p.58)
- Arnprior Reeves from 1863 to 1984 (p.59)
- 1985 Arnprior Fire Department (p.61)
- Measurement Engineering building / Sanitaris Building (p.62)
- Community Awareness & Emergency Response *CAER” (p.287)
- Map of Arnprior (p.290)
- St. John’s Ambulance (p.292)
- Valley wholesale (p.293)
- 60th Anniversay Arnprior WI (p.294)
- Terry Fox Run 1992 (p.295)
- Christine Reaburn & Lloyd Cameron (p.296)
- Harry Toop, beekeeper (p.297)
- Joanne McLaren (p.297)
- Reid Brothers – staff from 50s (p.298)
- Jean Symington (p.298)
- Agnes Coleman (p.299)
- Sarah (Sadie) cooke (p.299)
- ACWW (p.299)
- Participaction challenge (p.301)
- ADHS Dixie Combo Band (p.302)
- Ella Box (p.302)
- Optimist Club & Bell Park (p.303)
- Arnold Muirhead, Canada 125 medal (p.303)
- Author, Eunice Pemeel (p.304)
- 5 residences (p.305)
- ADHS teachers (p.307)
- 1991 FWIC convention & ACWW magazine (p.308)
- Arnprior WI minutes & other items at Museum (p.321 & 331)
- Tweedsmuir Table of Contents vol 1 to 5 (p.323)
- Foster Child from Liberia, Gbalay Johnson (p.334)
- Renfrew South District WI – FWIO’s 75th anniversary (p.338)
- 1993 ACWW magazine (p.340)
- Grace St.Andrew’s Church Centennial supplement (p.344)
Tweedsmuir History Volume 7 (1990s/2000 clippings & WI activities)
- 1993 Museum, curator Helen Anglin (p.2)
- Photos Arnprior WI ladies, including display at museum (p.3)
- Sacred Heart Convent closes (p.4)
- Stephanie Egan (p.5)
- Jan & Archie Dawson & miniature house (p.5)
- Bill Wilson, pharmacist (p.8)
- Art Charbonneau, trustee, honoured (p.9)
- Leo Jordan MPP (p.9)
- Arnprior Hospital (p.10)
- Susan Spence (p.10)
- Opportunity Shop (p.11)
- Bonnie Jane’s Scones shop opens (p.12)
- Harry Cooke died (p.13)
- Meals on Wheels (p.14)
- Eclipse (p.14)
- Charles Lynch dies (p.14)
- Arnprior & District Archives opening (p.15)
- WI overview (p.16)
- Save the Grove (p.17)
- 1994 International Plowing match at Pembroke (p.18)
- Aleck Morrall (p.24)
- Edna Bahm (p.25)
- Photos Arnprior WI (p.26)
- Boeing (p.28)
- Hospital logo (p.29)
- Wendy’s Tim Hortons (p.29)
- Goshen WI & their orchestra with photos (p.30)
- Canadian emergency preparedness College (p.30)
- Jim Lillie & Alex Staye (p.32)
- Algonquin land claims (p.32)
- Bob Graham & ETM Industries (p.33)
- Ralph Pickard (p.33)
- Keith Burns (p.33)
- Business Life, Ray Stamplecoski, Norm Hazelwood (p.34)
- OPP (p.34)
- Aerotek Electric Mobility Vehicles, Mike Osborne (p.35)
- St. John Ambulance (p.36)
- Tae kwon do (p.36)
- Arnprior WI trip to Peterborough (p.37)
- Florence Greeley, St. John ambulance (p.37)
- Photos WI members 7 activities (p.38+ & 43 & 47+))
- Rebekkahs and Oddfellows hall (p.42)
- Grove Nursing Home addition (p.42)
- Arnprior & District Archives & Anne Wimmi (p.44 & 57))
- Hospital (p.45 & 69)
- Phil Poole (p.46)
- Outing to Arnprior including sketch of John St (p.50)
- HLR Publishing (p.51)
- WI planting centennial WI rose at Town hall, photos (p.52)
- WI display at Archives (p.52)
- Ben Kane (p.53)
- Artist, Kevin Dodds (p.54)
- Mark Lindsay & Kate Pace-Lindsay, skiing (p.43 & 54)
- WI display at Fair 1995, Jessie Campbell (p.55)
- John Beattie (p.55)
- Milton Symington (p.56)
- WI members at 100th anniv, Myrtle Graham & Jean Levi (p.58)
- WI members & activities, photos w names (p.58)
- Kirkman House (p.61)
- Book Home & Country donation to library (p.62)
- Henry Murdoch (p.63)
- Bernice Noblitt award winners (p.63)
- Legion donation to Grove Nursing home (p.64)
- Origin of name Arnprior (p.64)
- Havey and McGonigal families (p.64)
- History of WI District banner (p.65)
- Jack (John Malcolm) Smith (p.66)
- WI Centennial Rose blooming (p.66)
- 1997 WI activities, photos with names (p.67)
- Stewartville Station 50th anniv (p.68)
- Donna & Robert Leeson wedding at museum (p.69)
- Douglas & Stephen Spaull optometry (p.70)
- AJ Charbonneau Public School opening (p.71)
- Dan Fridgen & Wayne & Dan Lavallee (p.71)
- WI District honouring presidents and secretaries (p.72)
- Duncan & Hector Miller (p.72)
- Mamie Smith (p.74)
- Jennie Elliott (p.75)
- 911 Service starts (p.76)
- Noreen Mellema (p.77)
- Grove Nursing Home adult day program (p.79)
- Beryl Majaury (p.80)
- Elma Sutherland (p.81)
- Year 2000 Chamber (p.82)
- Large millennium Moon (p.82)
- Ian Miller 2000 (p.84)
- Annie Young (p.85)
Series 3: Miscellaneous Material H9.2
- a coin collection awarded to Institute on its 60th anniversary in 1992,
- a letter from William Davis (Premier of Ontario) on the Institute’s 50th anniversary in 1982,
- a painted wood sign with the Institute’s name and crest (44.5 cm x 40 cm) (now displayed in Reading Room)
- information on FWIO, FWIC, the Associated Country Women of the World, the 100th anniversary of the women’s institutes in Canada and AWI, copy of speech given by Helen Golding (Arnprior and District Museum curator) on the 100th anniversary,
- pin for a life member with the motto (For Home and County)
- AWI’s 50th anniversary book.
- A compilation of member histories which was done in 2000. Members who contributed to this publication were Aleta Greene, Marion MacLean, Jean Sadler, Jean Symington, Dorothy C. Cameron, Jessie Campbell, Audrey J. Taylor, Patricia MacLean, Iva Chomyn, Anne (Tessier) Wimmi and Annie Young. They wrote about their lives and the impact that the WI has had on them.
- Frame with "Russell St. Seniors Arnprior W.I." This is probably the Russell St. Apartments in Arnprior. (H - Top Shelf)
- 9 photos of people quilting. The photos were removed from the frame and put in separate envelopes. Some people have been identified: Jean Raddatz, Jessie Campbell, Rhona Neumann, and Muriel Friday. (H9.2)
- Envelope containing 4 programs of Arnprior Women's Institute 1935-1939
Notes
The Tweedsmuirs have been digitized and should be used instead of the originals. Besides the digtized copy on the Archives server, a searchable digitized version is available on the FWIO Virtual Archives using the link below.
The page number references for the Tweedsmuirs refer to the digitized copies
A copy of the table of contents for volumes 1 to 5 of the Tweedsmuir History is available near the end of volume 6.
Access Restriction
Tweedsmuir Books - please use digitized version rather than original. They are searchable online through the FWIO Virtual Archives.