The Hastings and Prince Edward Districts Women Institutes are excited and extremely grateful to the John M. and Bernice Parrott Foundation for their generous grant of $35,000, which is enabling us to further our digitization of the Tweedsmuir Community Histories. The additional $15,000 grant from the Parrott Foundation allows us to continue the work encouraged by Bernice Parrott.

Since the 1940’s, Women’s Institutes have been recording the history of their organization and of their local communities.  Tweedsmuir Community History collections are valued by family, researchers, historians and students and provide a vast amount of information.  They uniquely capture and preserve local community history.

In 2017, we received our first grant from the Parrott Foundation.  This enabled us to begin to have these valuable collections digitized, thereby making them accessible to the public world-wide. These Tweedsmuir Histories, from both Prince Edward and Hastings Counties, are soon to be available on the Federated Women’s Institute of Ontario Virtual Archives. 

The success of the first initiative, inspired our Women’s Institute members to locate and prepare additional volumes to be digitized and safely preserved. Thanks to the Parrott Foundation, we are currently in the process of having an additional 52 volumes digitized, with more volumes yet to be done.

The committee is looking forward to being able to share this valuable information on the FWIO website.

The 2024 Prince Edward & Hastings County Digitization Committee for the Tweedsmuir History.

The team (back row left to right), Cecilia Baines, Anne Turnbull, Brenda Decastris, Linda Mitchell, Marlenme Pollock, and (front row left to right), Evelyn Peck and Bianca Brown. 

Notice

Hastings District Annual Meeting -May 22, 2019

About 40 women gathered for our annual meeting, hosted at Wellman’s Hall by Springbrook-Wellman’s and Bethel-Zion Branches. 

Members representing each branch present spoke to this year’s Roll Call, “Women Making A Difference”.  Such a worthy topic and so interesting to hear such varied and valid perspectives. 

On this topic, our guest speaker, Inspector Sheri Meeks of Belleville Police Services, shared her experiences beginning as a  new recruit at Aylmer Police College, moving through her early years as a rookie police constable and on through her many varied positions, roles and assignments as she journeyed to her current position as Inspector Meeks.  Sheri shared insights into the challenges faced by women in law enforcement and the changes, for the positive, that she has encountered in her years on the job.  Sheri continues to support female officers as they deal with difficulties, aspirations and situations unique to females in law enforcement careers.  Sheri, a very engaging speaker, kept the undivided interest of our members and kindly answered a myriad of questions from us.  It was clear to all of us that Sheri is indeed a “Woman Making a Difference”.

Thanks to Trent Valley Area Chair Colleen Stickle, for sharing her comprehensive and informative presentation about the latest events and news regarding what is happening in Women’s Institute from an area, provincial and Canada-wide perspective.

Thanks also to Provincial Board Director, Valerie Smith for her participation in our annual meeting.

And a special thank you to our hosts, Springbrook-Wellman’s and Bethel-Zion Branches,  for their work in preparing the hall, the food and the many tasks involved in hosting this year’s  Hastings District Annual Meeting.