First Women's Institute

Ontario's Historical Plaques

Here's where you can learn a little Ontario history.

First Women's Institute 1897

Photo by Alan L Brown - June 7, 2004

Plaque Location

The City of Hamilton
In front of the Erland Lee Museum on the south side of Ridge Road just west of Dewitt Road

Plaque Text

The world's first Women's Institute was organized at Squire's Hall, Stoney Creek, in 1897. Erland Lee, a founder of the Farmer's Institute, assisted by his wife, arranged the meeting. About 100 women from the Saltfleet Township district attended and were persuaded by Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless to form an organization of their own to improve their skills in the arts of homemaking and child care. Here, in the Lee home, Mr. Lee subsequently helped to draft the constitution of the new society. Mrs. E.D. Smith of Winona became the first president of the "Mother Institute". The Women's Institutes movement has since become a world-wide organization.

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