In September 2025 the history centre engagement team worked with SFWI (Staffordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes) to co-create a small display about the WI in Staffordshire to mark the 110th Birthday of the WI.

Institutes across the county donated ephemera, objects and photographs from their own archives

A Brief History of the Staffordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes

The Staffordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes was formed in 1919 and covers a very diverse area, from the Staffordshire Moorlands in the north, Cannock Chase to the south, and across to the east, Lichfield.

Started by Adelaide Hoodless in 1897 Canada, the WI has grown from the women’s branch of the Farmers’ Institute to an international organisation. In 1913 Mrs Madge Watts came to England and founded the first WI in the UK in 1915. By 1933 The Associated Country Women of the World represented 26 countries over the world. The WI aims to develop informed, responsible citizens through the study of local, national and international issues, encouraging good family life skills.

The Staffordshire Federation of WIs was formed on the 10^th April 1919, at a meeting held in The Swan Hotel, Litchfield. Before the boarder changes in 1974 there were 180 WIs in the county.

The Staffordshire Federation currently has over 3000 members and 97 WIs spread across the county.

To view more collections visit our SFWI Gallery. To view learn more about the history of the WI please visit our SFWI Blog.