During the winter of 1925, several ladies in the Cowal area took a bread making course together. It was during these sessions that they decided to join the Women’s Institute of Ontario. The branch was officially organized on May 5, 1925 at the Cowal Hall. The branch covered the area that was once School Sections 8 and 9, Dunwich township. The branch disbanded in April 2012.

Vol. 1 This volume was started in 1966, with a campaign to gather family and farm histories. A grant from the federal government allowed the Cowal WI to complete the project, in time for Ontario’s Bi-Centennial and the book doubled in size. Further updates were made in 1992. This volume includes Institute history, Century Farms, family histories by farm and photographs.

Vol. 2 This volume includes church, school section 8 and 9 histories, community history, early pioneer biographies, and a detailed history on the village of Cowal 1880-1906. Many photographs are included.

On Feb. 10, 1905, Dutton WI was the first branch to form in West Elgin. It disbanded in 1914 for war work but was reorganized in 1925. The first Tweedsmuir volume was completed in 1977. The second volume, with only 30 pages, remains unfinished. The branch was disbanded in 1988.

Vol. 1 This volume covers the earlier history of Dutton and contains photographs, clippings and articles about farms, families, organizations and businesses in the area. It has been beautifully hand decorated by Bess E. Malcolm.

Vol. 2 This incomplete volume contains write-ups of the history of the Dutton Library and of the churches in the area.

TYRCONNELL

Active from Apr. 25, 1947 to Apr. 7, 2004, Tyrconnell WI produced this interesting 100 page volume. The book has been included in the project through the efforts of the West Elgin Genealogical and Historical Society who passed it to the Elgin County Archives for safe keeping. This volume has several photographs and articles about local homes and area points of interest. Also included are original pages from S.S. #2 Tyrconnell minute books dated 1854 - 1896.

Wallacetown branch was organized on July 3, 1912 and the first Tweedsmuir book was started in 1950. Currently at 9 volumes, with over 2300 pages of photographs and articles, this series of Tweedsmuirs provide a comprehensive look at local and Institute life, from the time of Col. Talbot to the present. Wallacetown WI remains active.

Vol. 1 Topics in this volume cover early days of the district, schools, churches, cemeteries, farms, citizens and much more. Also included are several vintage photographs and clippings.