Stoney Creek in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

First Women’s Institute 1897

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 4, 2026

1. First Women’s Institute 1897 Marker

Inscription. The worlds first Women's Institute was organized at Squire's Hall, Stoney Creek, in 1897. Erland Lee, a founder of the Farmers 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.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Women. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 43° 12.429′ N, 79° 43.317′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Stoney Creek. It is on Ridge Road 0.4 kilometers east of Third Road East, on the right when traveling

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east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 552 Ridge Road, Hamilton ON L8J 2Y6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Golden Horseshoe,

in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area,

and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Erland Lee and His Wife Janet (here, next to this marker); The Erland Lee Home and the First Women’s Institute (a few steps from this marker); The Erland Lee Museum Chicken Coop, c. 1930 (within shouting distance of this marker); Augustus Jones (C. 1757-1836) (approx. 2.8 kilometers away); The Turning Point - June 6th, 1813 (approx. 3.6 kilometers away); The Battle of Stoney Creek (approx. 3.6 kilometers away); The Battlefield of Stoney Creek

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 4, 2026

2. First Women’s Institute 1897 Marker

(approx. 3.7 kilometers away); Their Fame Liveth (approx. 3.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . Our History- Adeleaide Hunter Hoodless.

The identity of the Women's Institute still lies profoundly in its beginnings. The story of how this historic organization came to be is one that resonates with women all over the world, and is engrained in the mission and vision Ontario WI Members still live by today.

In the summer of 1889, Adelaide Hunter Hoodless was faced with an unthinkable tragedy: the loss of her 14-month-old son, John Harold Hoodless. His death was believed to be the result of drinking contaminated milk. Hoodless was staggered that her own education had not provided the knowledge needed to run a household without the occurrence of such a tragedy. Thus began her tireless campaign for the education of girls and women in household management.

In the years following her son's death, Hoodless promoted her theme on the importance of domestic science education in public schools. In 1896, she spoke at an agricultural conference at the Ontario Agricultural College

3. Adelaide Hunter Hoodless
Library and Archives Canada (public domain)
in Guelph and made a lasting impression on one individual - Mr. Erland Lee.

(Submitted on May 6, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Original members of the First Women’s Institute, 1920s image. Click for full size.

4. Original members of the First Women’s Institute, 1920s

Public domain

The Erland Lee Home National historic Site, 2026 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 4, 2026

5. The Erland Lee Home National historic Site, 2026

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 6, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.