A look back at the “Wise Wives”
By Dorothy Dunham, This snapshot, circa 1924, is of a gathering of nattily dressed Arkport ladies who are, most likely, a Home Bureau group. The fate of the four hens is up for speculation, but it would be an educated guess that a chicken dinner may have been the end result. [from the CVHS archives]
Early in the 20th century, the Home Bureau was a meaningful development for the ladies of Arkport. The principal function was to educate and inform the ladies of proper, efficient, and more modern ways to run a household. Some skills were very functional and utilitarian; others were aesthetic and decorative. Equally important, the groups were a significant social network in village life. The umbrella authority over Home Bureau was the New York State Extension Service.
There was more than one group, and the groups seemed to be organized by age. A group of younger women called themselves “The Wise Wives”. If someone was interested in the activity of another group, they could transfer attendance temporarily. Women who were willing to be an instructor would be trained by the Steuben County Home Bureau or Cooperative Extension, and would then return to the village to teach others. Skills taught to the ladies of Arkport were leather-working, chair caning, furniture painting, drapery construction, coat making, etching of aluminum trays and coasters, quilting, candle-making, basket making, apron making, copper etching, furniture refinishing, foot stools, sewing cabinets, and gardening. Culinary specialties, such as Baked Alaska, lobster tails, and holiday treats were also a popular activity. The groups met once a month and, dictated by the activity, met either in a public facility such as the upper floor of the Old Post Office in Arkport, or in a member’s home. The groups averaged about 15 members.
Coming to Arkport as a young bride in 1961 and knowing no one outside the Timmerman family, Julie Timmerman quickly joined “The Wise Wives”. Along with joining church associations, her membership in Home Bureau introduced her to people with whom she has maintained strong friendships for over sixty years. She especially remembers the cooking and baking experiences (her first Baked Alaska!) and recalls going to the Bath Methodist Church for a cooking demonstration. She made Christmas stockings for her children at class, and remembers that unfinished business could be carried on to the next month.
There were always refreshments of light fare and dessert. Sometimes they went out to eat. All of the spoke enthusiastically of what they learned, and spoke fondly of the friendships and alliances strengthened through the Home Bureau groups.
