Parallel Title

Canadian Handicraft Guild - Lethbridge Branch

Date Range

1949-2005

Description Level

Fonds

Creator

Lethbridge Handicraft Guild

Physical Description

0.35 m of textual records; 205 photographs

History Biographical

The history of the Canadian Handicraft Guild dates back to 1902, when the Women's Art Association of Montreal held a large exhibition of handicrafts. A few years later the organization named the Canadian Handicraft Guild was formed with the provision of formation of local branches all across Canada. The first branches outside of Quebec were formed in Edmonton in 1911, Vancouver in 1912 and Winnipeg in 1913. The Alberta Provincial Branch was organized in 1928. The Lethbridge branch was formed in 1935. At the time of the Second World War and the pressure of Red Cross work, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Maclead and Lethbridge branches disbanded. Lethbridge organized again in 1949. The first executive of 1949 included Mrs. J. McIntosh (President), Mrs. C.G. Cope (VP), Mrs. A.C. Head (Secretary) and Mrs. W. Strome (Tresurer). The original group included A.E. Ives, Mrs. D. Woodcock, Mrs. C.B. Johnson, Mrs. C. Farstad, Mrs. E. Church (Woitte), Mrs. J.T. Vallance, Mrs. W. Strome, Mrs. J. Keys, Mrs. G.C. Cope, Mrs. A.C. Head, Miss Lillian McNair, Mrs. Nell Clarke, Mrs, Edith Niven, Mrs. Rita Revenko, Mrs. Linda Gibson, Mrs. Etta Johnston, Mrs. Holly Turnbull, Mrs. Frances Gardiner, Mrs. Maida Bryant, Mrs. Anne Lundy, Mrs. Libby Fumerton, Mrs. Barbara Bruchet and Mrs. Cynthia Russel. The Guild first operated from the Red Cross Rooms. In 1964, the organization moved to the lower level of the Bowman Centre. The Guild offered a variety of classes including weaving, copper, lether, novelties, rugs, petit point, glovemaking, guiltting, knitting, tooled leather and flowers. In 1953 the Guild counted 134 paid members with 10-30 active member core. The activities also included discussions, demonstrations and exhibites. In 1964, Potters group withdrew from the Lethbridge Handicraft Guild. From 1966 to 1974 the following members received Life Membership: Cynthia Russel, Nell Clarke, Lovina Stringam, Etta Johnston.

Scope and Content

2012.1043/001 Correspondence 2005; meeting minutes 1994-2002; publication clippings; list of officers, 6 photos 2012.1043/002 Shows and displays 15 slides 2012.1043/003 Guild history, 1962; correspondence, records 1950-1965 2012.1043/004 Ledger 1964-1977 2012.1043/005 Bowman Centre 1964; newsletter 1987-1990 2012.1043/006 Membership lists various years 2012.1043/007 Administrative records 1952-1955 2012.1043/008 Administrative records 1949-1951 2012.1043/009 Administrative records 1955-1965 2012.1043/010 Guild history manuscript 1949-1993; newsletters 1987-1992; 185 photos 2012.1043/011 Minutes 1976-1982 2012.1043/012 Minutes 1971-1976 2012.1043/013 Minutes 1949-1958 2012.1043/014 Minutes 1958-1966 2012.1043/015 Exhibit Weaving notes and samples, cards and invoices 1958-1960 2012.1091/001 Financial records 2000-2006 2012.1091/002 Financial records 1991-1999 2012.1091/003 Financial records 1979-1991 2012.1091/004 Financial records 1974-1982 2012.1091/005 Minutes 1990-1993 2012.1091/006 Minutes 1993-1997 2012.1091/007 Minutes 1982-1987; annual reports 1982-1987; petty cash 1982-83 2012.1091/008 Minutes 1987-1990 2012.1091/009 Handicraft sales 1978-1989 2012.1091/010 Minutes 1997-1998; 1998-1999; 2000-2001; membership list 1997-1998; 1998-1999

Accession No.

20121043

Collection

Archive

Less detail