Birthplace of the Women's Institute

In 1972, the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) purchased the Lee family home. FWIO wanted to preserve the vintage home as a memorial to the birthplace of the Women's Institutes (WI), as well as feature a vanished middle-class rural Victorian lifestyle. It opened as the Erland Lee Museum the same year, with the exterior and the 1873 additions restored to their 1897 beauty.

The white board and batten house is and example of Gothic Architecture and exhibits household artifacts and furniture from circa 1790 to 1930. Many of the artifacts are original to the six generations of the Lee family who lived in the home between 1808 and 1971. The fieldstone basement has been renovated and is primarily used for a model railway display.

The Carriage (Drive) House, also an original 1873 building, features displays of farm-related implements and tools, exhibits on Stoney Creek history, including donated family artifacts from the community, and other special exhibits throughout the year. The museum also boasts a quilt collection, with a mix of traditional and modern patterns and techniques, many quilted by members of the Women's Institutes. The highlight of the quilt collection and a piece of Canadiana is the 1875 Margaret Sheriff Quilt.

Today, the Erland Lee Museum not only emphasizes the role of Erland and Janet Lee in the founding of the Women's Institutes, it depicts the early history of Stoney Creek and the 170 year influence of the Lee family on the development of the region from a rural township to suburban city. Known internationally as the birthplace of the Women's Institutes, the home is also known locally as Stoney Creek's "social history museum."

Hours of Operation
April through December

• Wednesday to Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday Evening - 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday - 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
  Closed Christmas to New Year's Day, Easter Weekend and Thanksgiving Sunday.

January through March

• Thursday to Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and by appointment
  Open March Break

Group Tours and Educational Programming are available year-round. The beautiful secluded picnic grounds are also open to the public year-round and are suitable for a quiet stroll or a group event. The public washrooms are open during the Museum's business hours.

Parking

The Erland Lee Museum has ample free parking. Buses welcome.

Erland Lee Museum Gift Shop

The Museum's gift shop, the "General Store," features an assortment of Women's Institute and Stoney Creek souvenirs, which are complimented by a unique selection of preserves and crafts generously donated by Ontario Women's Institute members. Craft and preserve items include baby clothes and blankets, candles, knitted items, recipe books and homemade jams, jellies, relishes, pickles and maple syrup, and much more! General items such as film and cold drinks are also available.

Recognition - "Ontario House PublishedStyles"

Published Recognition - " Heritage Treasures"

Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead

For contact and location information, click here.