Digitized Tweedsmuir books in Common Folder. Minute books and first 2 Tweedsmuir books are also on microfilm.
Physical Description
6 microfilm reels; 25 bound volumes; 1 book
History / Biography
Burnstown Women's Institute was the first branch formed in Renfrew South District and started on Jan 11, 1911. The first meeting of the Burnstown Women’s Institute was held at the home of Mrs. Forrest in Burnstown in February. Mrs. J. G. Blane was President and Agnes McLachlan was Secretary Treasurer. The preparation of eggs and poultry was the topic set for the March meeting. A suggestion of cards for entertainment was rejected “on account of the evils to which it led”.
Acquisition Source
Mrs. Eileen Brydges, as branch secretary, donated the minutes in Negative form in 2000. The Arnprior Archives obtained positive copies that same year. In Nov. 2005, Mrs. Irene Robillard, as branch Tweedsmuir coordinator, donated the Tweedsmuir history reel, the Minutes of 1994 - 2005, the 1931 McNab Township Assessment Roll, and the 3 volumes of the IOGT minutes. The Assessment Roll and IOGT minutes were discovered by Tim Gordon in the Robertson General Store and were donated to the Burnstown WI. In 2009, the first 4 books of the Tweedsmuir Community History Collection were digitized by OGS and made available at the Archives electronically. In July 2018, Mrs. Irene Robillard donated the same first four volumes of the Tweedsmuir books in their original form, as well as a DVD depicting entries to the Burnstown Garden Competition 2006.
Scope and Content
This fonds consists of:
- 6 microfilm reels consisting of minutes and the first two books of the Tweedsmuir history: (I 14.3)
Minutes 1911 - 1954 (Master Negative - do not use)
Minutes 1911 - 1954 (Positive copy)
Minutes 1954 - 1994 (Master Negative - do not use)
Minutes 1954 - 1994 (Positive copy)
Minutes 1994 - 2005 (Positive copy)
Tweedsmuir History (Positive copy)
- Burnstown WI Minutes, 18 volumes: 1911 - January 2005 (I 14.2)
- McNab Township Assessment Roll 1931 (B2)
- Minutes for the I. O. G. T. (International Order of Good Templars), 3 volumes: (I 14.2)
1890 - 1893
1894 - 1905
1905 - 1912
- Tweedsmuir Community History Collection (1st 4 books) (L4.10)
Volumes 1 and 2 have a Table of Contents or an Index.
Volumes 1-4 contain information concerning the branch, its members, and its events, as well as the following:
Volume 1:
Photographs of early Burnstown streetview and bridges, WI members and displays
History of early settlement in the area, including Bagot Township to Springtown
Schools, school teachers, university graduates, nurses, active community women, veterans, local industry such as cheesemakers, shoemakers, blacksmiths
Local churches, including St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and the original Presbyterian church at Canaan and now the cairn
Cemeteries at Goshen, Springtown, White Lake and Fraser
Various bridges across the Madawaska at Burnstown
History of Springtown
Newspaper clippings about early settlement, lumbering days, industry, churches, the Leckie Hotel (also known as McGregor Hotel), Chief Archibald McNab and the opening of the Waba Cottage Museum in White Lake, etc.
Some industry in the village, accomplished persons
Burnstown Community Tribute Association
Many WI meetings and events, including information on the first branch and district meetings and other branches, such as the Goshen WI
Volume 2:
Wedding anniversaries, family events, and obituaries, including photos
WI meetings and events, including 70 year anniversary photos
Volume 3:
Photos and lists of names on 2 signature quilts in 1935 and 1967
Many WI events with photos including community garden contest, 75 and 90 year anniversaries, various activities for the 100 year anniversary of the Federated Women's Institute of Ontario
Life story of Bridget Mulvihill, oldest member in 1999
Photo of the building in which the very first church services were held in the early 1800s.
History of Burnstown School including various photos of students, some named
History of Fraser Cemetery
Dedication of Cairn at site of Canaan church
Volume 4:
Newspaper clippings concerning local history, events and obituaries
Profiles of artistic community members and local businesses
Opening of the new Springtown bridge
Articles on Chief McNab and Canaan
One DVD-R showing entries into the Burnstown Garden Competition, 2006 (I 14.3)
Notes
Volume 1 of the Tweedsmuirs was re-bound in 2018. Original cover is included.
Access Restriction
Tweedsmuir Books - please use digitized version. Electronic copies are in Common folder. Searchable online through the FWIO Virtual Archives.