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“Q Tweedsmuir Histories: Preserve. Protect and Promote By Linda Ambrose Nobody really knows for sure how many TweedsmuirHistory Books there are in Ontario, but in 1964 it was reported that “well over 1100" Branch histories were in the process of being compiled. Add to that the District and Area books. and the new Branches which have been started since. and just imagine how many TweedsmuirIâ€"Iistory Books are waiting to be read. Over the past two»and-aahalf years. I have looked through several hundred of those books as I travelled across this province vis- iting with many of you in your Branches and Districts. Wherever I have gone. you have rolled out the welcome mat. put on the kettle. and lugged out your history books. In some cases. I looked at your books without even coming for a visit. because I used microfilm copies at archives and museums. Indeed. .TweedsmuirHistory Books have been one of my most important sources as I worked to research the Ontario Women's Institutes for the upcoming centennial in 1997. You are very proud of these books. and well you should be. They capture your local community history and preserve it in a unique way. Your curators have spent many hours lovingly compiling these bulky. big volumes. The cover is proudly emblazoned with your Institute's name, and in many cases that cover itself is a work of an fash- ioned from leather or from wood. These books are important to you. But not only to you. Do you realize the importance that others have attached to them over the years? The books had a very distinguished beginning. You are probably aware that they were originally known as “The Tweedsmuir Village History Books." so named in 1940 for the former Govemor General of Canada. on the suggestion of his widow, Lady Tweedsrnuir. Recognizing the challenge of compiling a local history book. Susan Tweedsmuir said: “It is necessary to have the patience of Job. the strength of Hercules and the powers of a private detective to do Hisv torical Research." Endorsement by such an eminent family was only the beginning. and after that. the books won many accolades on their own merit. Did you know. for example. that in 1950 the Honourable Vincent Massey in- quired about Tweedsmuir histories so that he could include them as part ofthe Royal Com» mission on National Development in the Arts. Letters and Sciences? He considered the Tweedmuir History Books to be an im portant part of Canadian culture. And he was not alone. Just one year before that. in I949. the Women‘s Institutes‘ Tweedsmuir histo- ries earned a very prestigious prize from the American Association for State and Local History. Similar honours would follow a few years later when. in [962. Canada‘s national organization of professional historians. the Canadian Historical Association. awarded a certificate of merit to the Women's Institutes for their work in preserving local history. For several years. members ofthe Board of the Ontario Historical Society acted as judges for the Tweedsmuir competitions where ihe history books were entered in come petition for the coveted Tweedsmuir cup prize. The Ontario Genealogical Society published a guide to using the books in a 1976 newsletter Currently. university re, searchers in women‘s history are showing real interest in your books. using them to write papers on women‘s organizations. community history. and even the history of the histories themselves. You have in your possession a veritable gold mine of informa- tion. In fact. Tweedsmuir History Books are one ot the most important resources we have forstudying Ontario history at the local level. Formal efforts to preserve Tweedsinuir Books have been in place for sortie time. Recognizmg their importance. the Archives ot'Ontariocntered intoan agreement With the Department of Agriculture and Food in the 1960s to begin to preserve these books through microfilming. Through that project, several hundred TweedsmUir History Books are now available at the provincial archives in Toronto. safely preserved and fully accese siblc to the public. The University ot'Guelph Archives deemed that collection to be so important, that they bought the complete set of films and users can read them there. Since that project ended. Branches have sought out other means of microfilming using the serv7 ices of private companies like Production Micrographics in London. Ontario. The wonderful thing about microfilm is that it makes the book available in a convene fl Wfi‘bfl rlgxsx ient fomiat that takes up so little space on the library shelves. Making a copy of your TWeedsmuir History Book is like buying insurance - you know that if anything ever happened to the original books. at least you would have a copy. Several Branches have done this already. and it you haven't. then you are taking a big risk with your history book. In one Branch l Visited. they had phoe tocopied the complete books and placed copies in the local library so that their origi, no! book was not damaged by curious researchers or eager school children You need to be concerned about both things' keeping the books _ tie and. at the same time. making the books available, Over thirty years ago. Hester Walker. the Provmcial Curatorol the To eedsmuir histo- ries. and Muriel Mack. the Provincial Convener of Historical Research. issued a special challenge to the members otthc IUbZ FWIO Board. In light ot the approaching celebration 0f Canada's centennial iii l9o7, they asked: “Could we make delinilc deci- sions about the preservation and prutcction of these valuable histories and pillll special events to cmphasi/e thcm'7” I would echo their challenge to you in 1997 draws near. the celebration of your um] centennial Could you make some definite plans about the Tweedsmuir History Books in yotircare'? Your books are very important. So please. preserve them. protect them and promote them, Linda .ituihiiii'c it (ill "\Vlti'illll I‘m/rum Mir/l rlit DL'lmfINlt’lll 11/ Hilton t" lllilrt’llllilli (’riiiiiiin lll .H'iiillviiry. Uri/urin. she is tli‘r‘ Illt' Ri-rmii lii'r/ll'tiii r n] I/It’ ll’mricn‘s liiriiiii/i- ('mlmnnil Hi mm limit Make Plans Today Have your Tweedsmuir History Books microfilmed now. Call or write to Valerie Marin at Production Micrographics at 4500 Blakie Rd., Unit 135. London ON N6L1GS. (519)652-1091. Valerie is willing to speak to any group interested in the process. Home E. Country, Fall ‘95 11