-18- ' has increased with its ability to acquire it.

The Women's Institute in Orwell was organized in 1929. Mrs. James Hughes was the first president, and Florence Mac- Pherson. the school teacher then, was the first secretary. Other charter members were Maimie Morrissey, Mrs. Laura MacLeod. Mrs. Margaret Macleod . Mrs . Leo MacDonald , Mrs . nary Mac Innis , Mrs . William Greenwood, and Mrs. Lawrence Macleod. In 1931. the Orwell W.I. assumed the responsibilities of looking after the community hall. Originally the community bought the store belonging to Norman macLeod and converted it into a community hall. Some of the first members of the Board of Trustees included Mr. Billy MacLeod, Mr. Dougal MacDonald, M . Peter MacQueen, Mr. Patrick Morrissey, and Mr. Albert Jenkins. This hail was used until it burned in 1956 when a grass fire lit by the school children got out of control.

(Orwell Guide)

During the war years (1939-45), Orwell ”.1. members spent many hours knitting and making quilts to be sent overseas. The orphanage was also a priority to which they gave generously. The school was also kept clean and comfortable with the Institute's aid. From 1950 the W.I. centered its interest on the school.

They bought window blinds, painted the school, put linoleum on the floor. bought an oil stove to replace the pot-bellied coal stove,

provided Books of Knowledge, and many other things.

Many of the things that we now take for granted. such as the

telephone, electricity, and paved highways were introduced to