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A11 Institute Rest Room By Mrs. W. A. Clayton T THE July, 1911 meeting of the Norwich Women’s Institute it was reported that “the value of having a definite object in view was stressad.” In June, 1912 it was pointed out that Norwich now had a public library, which had been one of the popular projects of other Institutes, and it was decided that as a special work the financing and fur- nishing of a Ladies Rest Room would be a worth-While undertaking. In those days of horseâ€"drawn vehicles it would be a real con- venience to have a heated waiting-room where women could wait after shopping until the manfolk were ready to go home. Another report announces that “on Satur- day, March 8, 1913 the Rest Room will be opened in rented space in the Brown House, lunch to be served from 3.00 p.m. until 8 o‘clock at a fee of 10 cents. The Institute is commend ed for securing very comfortable quarters in the old Brown House, well fitted with con- veniences, and it is hoped that the opening will be a grand success. The cause is a worthy one and congratulations are due to the Instiâ€" tute for their undertaking.” At practically every meeting since that time, small or large needs for upkeep and improve- ment of the Rest Room have been discussed and arranged for. The rent was $6.00 a month from 1913 to 1926 when it became the Insti- tute’s own property. In 1915 water was installed at a cost of $12.76. One entry in the same year mentions the cost of repairs to the stove as 92 cents for polish, brush, pipe and micas. Coal for heating was $15.00. In September, 1921 a public tele- phone was installed, but was removed because of abuse in May, 1922. On August 28, 1926 the Women's Institute purchased the building and land on the site of the present property, which included upstairs living quarters for a caretaker, from Mr. Arthur Cation for $700.00, Mr. Cation making a donation of $100.00 and accepting a mort- gage for $500.00 with ten years to pay. In 1929 a wash-room with plumbing was installed. on September 10, 1929 the Institute, as a non-incorporated body, considered it wise to ask the Norwich Village Council to assume partial ownership of the Rest Room. This was done and the deed was drawn to the Village in trust with the Norwich Branch of the Worn~ ens’ Institute, with the President, Mrs. Letitia Palmer and the Secretary, Miss Martha Lees as coâ€"signatories. SUMMER 1957 Norwich Women's lnsliluie Res! Room. Through the years 1921432 grants of $25.00 yearly from the municipalities of Norwich Village and North Norwich Township aided in the project. There is also a record of dona‘ tions from various organizations from sur- rounding communities. In January, 1932 at the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary celebration of the Norwich Women's Institute the mortgage was burned, having been paid off in five years. The Institute has bL‘t‘l’l responsible for the fire insurance premiums throughout the. years and will continue to accept that responsibility. In 1954 the Reeve of the Village and a counw cillor interviewed the Institute about the con« dition of the Host Room: the sewage disposal was in poor condition, needing frequent rc- pairs. In June. 1955 a small Women's Institute Rest Room Committee met with the Village Council and discussed tentatch plans for a new Rest Room. In 1956 the new Rccvu mudc the new Rust Room for the Village a clear project for the Council and they look the ini‘ tiative in having the old building rumovvd and contracts let for a line ncw oneâ€"story cement block structure wilh brick front and two large windows facing the slrcvt from the waiting room. This is now complctcd. The room is nicely decorated and furniturv has been provided by Institute funds. Tlll‘l‘i' are two lavatorics and wash basins, an outside entrance having bl'l‘n provided for thr- 1111'“. The Lion's Club of Norwich and surrounding communities has giVL-n a large donation and the Institute has taken thr- lcnd in soliciling support from other local organiznlirms besidvs giving $500.00 itself toward tln- building. The women have also furnished the wailing-room and supplied necessary incidcnlnls to its m-n- cral care and appearance. The members of the Norwich Branch have raised their funds in various ways: bake sales, catering, talcnt money, giving bridge parties in their own homes, also holding a series of public card parties when- cach one who ut- tcnded paid an ice. Prizes for those parties were all donated, Members also contributed 50 cents or more according to years as their birthdays came around. Many of the villagers including proprietors and employees of the stores and residents 29