Long River Women's Institute

The early history of the Long River Women's Institute is not clear. Some sources suggest that it was organized in Long River, Prince Edward Island, in 1914 by a Mrs. Dunbrack and a Miss Helena MacDonald with Mrs. D. M. Johnstone as the first president. Other sources suggest that it was organized on 13 August 1925 by Miss Evelyn Windsor, the Assistant Supervisor of the Provincial Women's Institute with the Mrs. Fred Johnston as president. Surviving records of the Institute indicate that it did flourish between 1958 and 1983. During that time period, members of the Institute provided support for the local school providing it with a chemistry cabinet, a first aid kit, and prizes for school closings. Members organized concerts, ice cream socials, and plays to raise funds for the school and various charitable organizations. They visited the sick and contributed to the upkeep of the community hall. They also supplied cod liver oil capsules for school children, ran first aid courses, and sponsored Red Cross swimming lessons.