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' On hay 28, l96l, a memorial plaque on a rugged granite boulder in front of the Lee Homestead was unveiled. In memory of . ERLAND LEE and his wife JANET who pioneered the first Women's Institute -- now world wide -- at Stoney Creek, February 19th, 1897 and to commemorate their home with table on which the Constitution was drawn up Erected by the District of South wentworth Women's Institute Mrs. Gordon Conant, daughter of the first President of Stoney Creek Women's Institute, said at the unveiling. "This plaque will remind those who look upon it, that the world progresses through human interest and continual hard work of those who still have the enduring pioneer spirit coursing through their characters." Through the efforts of F.w.I.O. an historic plaque was unveiled and dedicated at the Erland Lee home by the Historic Sites Board of Ontario on October 1, l967. For many years it has been the hope of the Ontario Women's Institutes that the Lee Home could be purchased by Women's Institutes to become an archives for past Minute Books of the Branches, Districts and Areas, and other treasured documents and artifacts of the organization. An option was taken by the Provincial Board of F.N.I.O in October, l969, on the property on Lot l7, Concession 4, Township of Saltfleet, south side of Ridge Road, Wentworth County, and this expires in 1972. Besides the house with attach- ed garage, tenant house and barn on the scenic property, the dining room table with leather upholstered dining chairs, a large sideboard, desk built in the dining room bay window, and the floor-to-ceiling pine cupboard are all included in the option. The older part of the house still has the original hardwood - ornate iron latches and hinges. Thus for the 75th Anniversary of the Women's Institutes the purchase of the Lee Home preserved one of the most beautiful vintage homes in Ontario for a useful and permanent purpose. , With the enthusiasm and interest shown by the members of F.M.I.O through dona- tions of both money and artifacts the changes and renovations were able to be . implemented and much has been accomplished within the past five year span. The back of the Home was converted into comfortable living quarters for a per- manent hostess and her' husband. The important consideration in this conversion was that the house was not altered structurally and if more room should ever be needed and separate living accommodation built the Home historically has not been harmed. The lovely wide pine flooring throughout the whole house was all refinished and all rooms papered in the l850 era. The pioneer kitchen dating back to the 1800's still has the old pine cupboard made in l800 when the original Lee family arrived in Canada. 3