On October 30, 1909, a Women’s Institute was started at Agassiz, one of fifteen branches that were formed between Sept. 28 and November 13 by Miss Laura Rose, who toured the southern part of the province to visit communities and encourage women to form branches.

2009 is the Centennial of the British Columbia Women’s Institute. One hundred years earlier the Ministry of Agriculture invited Laura Rose from Ontario to tour the southern part of the province to inform women of the attributes of this new organization, which started in Ontario in 1897, and was gaining momentum and interest across the country.

On October 30, 1909, Laura Rose visited Agassiz and reported the following “Had both an afternoon and evening meeting here, both full of interest. A number of ladies out; organized an Institute which promises good work.” The first President was Mrs. J.J. Ashton, with Mrs. A. Ogilvie as Secretary.

Agassiz-Harrison Museum has a historical treasure in that all the minutes from the W.I. meetings are in their care as well as cash books, sample meeting announcement cards, miscellaneous information and souvenirs.

Interestingly, the notes to the first meeting said Miss Rose told about Ontario, where the first Women’ Institutes were formed, mentioned the membership fee in B.C. would be fifty cents, and that each meeting is reported to government (Ministry of Agriculture) and controlled by same. The original minute books were hard cover, with pages in duplicate, one being perforated to be sent to the Superintendent, who was appointed by the Ministry.

Members held a ‘trial’ meeting in the IODE Hall on the third Thursday in November at 2:30 p.m. with twenty-five members present. There was a demonstration on Christmas pudding, an article read on suggestions for Christmas gifts, and a member read directions for drawing and trussing a fowl. Members decided the next meeting would be on January 20 with the theme of ‘Home Nursing’.

In September, 1910 the Agricultural Association asked the members of the Institute to help decorate their hall for the Fall Fair. Mrs. Harry Fooks was appointed chairman, and this was the commencement of community work by the Institute which lasted throughout their long history.

Meetings in 1911 were held in the IOOF Hall, in a small room granted free of charge by the Odd Fellows. Mrs. Harry (Christina) Fooks became President, a position she filled for many years.

Interest in school work started in 1911 when the Institute arranged to award prizes for flowers grown by school children. In July, 1912 they were one of many Institutes in the province to hold a popular Flower Show, which became a yearly event.

The first fund raising event was held in November, 1912, with the proceeds of $55.15 forming the nucleus of a building fund - the objective being an Institute meeting place. This was realized in 1916 when the Agricultural Association built their hall, with the Institute meeting room adjoining.

From 1915 on, during the first world war years, the W.I. co-operated with the Red Cross Society by donations of materials and cash, also giving assistance to several other war funds. Items were also sent to the local boys at the front.

In 1921 the Institute purchased a piano and held a New Year’s Eve dance to help pay for it. The event became an annual affair. In 1922 an Institute sponsored Community Concert raised over $176.00, which was used for aid to the needy in Vancouver and locally. This became an annual event to aid charitable organizations.

In 1922, a resolution by Miss Minnie Agassiz with regard to State Health Insurance was sent by the Institute to the District Conference, then becoming a subject of much discussion in the Legislature, and paving the way toward a later Hospital Insurance Plan.

Aggasiz W.I. placed First Aid kits in the schools, and started a program of dental work in the schools in 1924. The first May Day celebrations was held in 1929, continuing every year until the start of World War II. The first May Queen was Elsie Crowhurst of Harrison Hot Springs.

Over the years they started community picnics, had tree plantings, sponsored school geography and spelling bees, and organized classes in cooking and dressmaking, home nursing and night school classes in commercial work. Their records are full of the things they did to educate themselves and/or the public and to make the community a better place.

The Arthur Dennis family had Stonehurst Dairies at Agassiz for many years, before moving in 1938. Ethel Dennis was active in Agassiz Women’s Institute and later at Point Grey. She was provincial W.I. Convener of War Services during WWII, working in conjunction with the Red Cross, and was elected Provincial President in 1944 and again in 1946.

Aggasiz members again worked hard to provide support as needed for relief work during WWII. They kept up community work in the years that followed, especially during the horrific floods of 1948. However times were changing and getting new members proved a challenge. In 1969 Agassiz W.I. celebrated its 60th anniversary, but after a Senior Citizens organization was formed in 1971 the members decided in 1974 to disband and many joined that group.

Although there are currently no active Women’s Institute branches in the area, if any readers are interested in forming a group, or becoming members-at-large, contact the provincial BCWI office in Kamloops for information - phone (250) 556-5406, email bcwi@telus.net