Town of Penhold

Excerpt from Pioneer History of Penhold, Author: Jim Mann

Penhold Memorial Hall is located at 1123 Fleming Avenue in Penhold. Memorial Hall was built in 1919 under the sponsorship of the Penhold Women's Institute as a memorial to those from Penhold and District who served the Canadian people with their bravery in the First World War. The Hall was officially opened with a Regimental Ball on November 8, 1919 and celebrated it's 100th Anniversary November 2019.

This multi-purpose centre has a comfortable seating capacity of 250 and boasts a large, commercial kitchen, a practical stage, hardwood dance floor, sound system with a cordless microphone, a designated bar area, large covered deck and ample parking. The roomy hall and extra amenities make it the ideal place for most special events.

From its beginning the Penhold Women’s Institute has been a story intertwined with the story of Penhold itself. It began on a July day in 1016 with the arrival of a special “Made in Alberta” train carrying Miss Mary McIsaac, Superintendent of Women’s Institute. She gave demonstrations on food preservation and explained the concept of Women’s Institutes, encouraging the organization of a branch. Thus July 6, 1016, the Penhold Women’s Institute (W.I.) was incorporated. The charter members were Mrs. A.W. Walker, president, Mrs. E. Falkner, vice president, Miss Kitty  Hives, secretary treasurer, Mrs. Brooker, Mrs. F. Bunting, Miss I. Eggler, Mrs. H.V. Hives and Mrs. F. Shirley followed shortly by Miss A.G. Morrison, Miss A. Reeves, Mrs. H. Haise, Miss R. Yeomans, Miss H. Yeomans, Miss O. Reeves and Mrs. J. Hicks.

The decade of 1916 to 1926 was productive! In 1917 the first Penhold School Fair was organized and held annually for many yeas. During and following World War I the branch zealously supported the Red Cross, the servicemen overseas and prisons of war. The year 1919 was a milestone. At the meeting of Mar. 6, with 30 members present and chaired by Mrs. H.R. McDougall, a motion to build a memorial hall was carried. Land was purchased from Mr.  Carswell for $75.00 and later exchanged for two lots belonging to the U.F.A. Summer was a bustle of activity: canvassing, deciding on specifications, negotiating with contractors and with the many volunteers of the area, and appointing a Board of Manager. From excavating, cementing, framing, finishing and equipping, the work (both paid and voluntary) went on. Incredibly the building was completed that summer. The Penhold Memorial Hall, built in honor and memory of the servicemen of WWI, was officially opened with a Thanksgiving supper and Military Ball on Oct. 31, 1919. Veterans were admitted free. At this time an Honor Roll was placed in the Hall.

Later, the Institute purchased land south of the hall and had it landscaped. A place for garden parties and picnics! In 1922 a W.I. Library was established. IN 1923 the brand sponsored an Old Timers’ Reunion. In 1928 hall improvements were a Delco light plant, chairs, a furnace and planting of trees. In 1935 a Penhold W.I. Girls Club was organized by Mrs. A.B. McGorman.

Then came the WWII years. Understandably assistance to Red Cross, servicemen and the War Emergency Fund again escalated. However, in 1945, because of the small W.I. membership, the Hall was presented, free of charge, to the Village of Penhold as a War Memorial. An Honor Roll was framed and placed alongside the one from WWI.

As the years went by the Penhold W.I. contributed much to the community. Donations were made to local youth groups, kindergartens, playschool, library, sports areas and family victims of fire and illness. Magazines and supplies were purchased for the schools, a “Best All-Round Student” trophy was started in 1974, and students were sponsored at Camp Goldeye. Kitchen and catering equipment was purchased and several substantial cash donations were made to the hall. In addition, items were donated to the Penhold Royal Manor. 

The awareness of human needs now extended from local to worldly ones. Additional recipients, therefore, included Red Deer and Innisfail Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Senior Lodges, sister W.I. Branches, Cancer Society, Salvation Army, C.N.I.B., Flood Relief Fund, U.S.C. foster children overseas as well as all levels of Women’s Institutes. 

Funds for these contributions were raised in many ways. In the early years a unique fundraiser was barn dances held at the William Douglas and the H.R. McDougall barns.  Twice the branch compiled and sold numerous cook books of favourite recipes of local ladies. There were bake sales and auctions. By the 70’s the major fundraiser was catering – in 1978 alone, nine weddings, a few luncheons and an annual bingo. 

Projects by the Institute were unique. A notable undertaking was in 1955 when the branch catered to the “Operation Lifesaver” which was an exercise in evacuating about 300 Calgarians in a mock Civil Defence Exercise. Another was on Oct. 1, 1968, when a seminar on legal and business matters was held. Area residents and other W.I. Branches attended, filling the hall.