It’s a Mystery!
This month's column will different. Instead of telling you about the past of the Women's Institute I am going to pose you a mystery. With this column is an early photograph which was included in the South Vancouver Island District historical materials - just the picture – no clues as to the occasion, the identity of the assembled group, or what the purpose of the gathering was. The picture contains about 50 women, 3 children and 2 gentlemen.
There is a sign on the left side of what appears to be the doorway to the building. All I can make out of the is the word “CONSERVATIVE”. The dresses of the women, I am guessing, dates it around the time of World War 1 or a little later. Since the picture was located in the papers from the South Vancouver Island area, I presume it is very likely a photo from that District.
Why am I sharing this with you? Because it represents a common problem that historians everywhere share: the mystery of beautifully preserved yet unlabeled, unidentified, and undated pictures. Personally, when I find yet another of this wonderful old photos in this condition I come close to pulling my hair!
So this time I have more questions than information:
If there is anyone out there who can provide any answers to the following questions, or any other material about this photo, I would love to hear from you:
1. what does this photo of this group represent?
2, what was the occasion? Date?
3. Why is there a spinning wheel placed prominently in the foreground?
4. What is the role of the men in the picture?
5. Anything else you may be able to contribute.
In the very slim left margin of the photo it is identified as from the BC Archives. And there is a photo number included there. I am going to try to learn what the Archives can do to help me, and if I am fortunate to come up with some answers about it, I will pass that along in a future column.
But in the meantime, Please, please remember to identify any and all pictures you include in your branch or District Histories. If you write on the back of photos, remember to be gentle!!
Wishing you all a wonderful summer vacation, and many happy times in your individual futures,
Yours for Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women's Institute
