collection 00952 - Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) fonds

The Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire is a women's charitable organization based in Canada. They provide scholarships, bursaries and awards, and pursue other philanthropic and education projects in communities across Canada. The organization was established in 1900 when Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal, encouraged the formation of a federation of women to promote patriotism, loyalty and service to others. The first chapter, Federation Daughters of the Empire, was formed in Fredericton, New Brunswick on January 5, 1900. Primary chapters were formed across Canada along with junior chapters. In 1901, the Federation was incorporated as Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire and Children of the Junior Branch. IODE was incorporated as a Canadian women's organization by a special act of the parliament of Canada in 1917.

The first Hamilton chapter was founded in 1900 and called Fessenden Chapter, after Clementina Fessenden (1843-1918), the Ancaster woman who founded Empire Day. In 1902, the name changed to Municipal Chapter and the first meeting was held March 3 of that year. In 1938, the chapter acquired the house Fonthill located at 168 Jackson Street West, from the Greening family, and it became the headquarters for all of the Hamilton chapters. The provincial headquarters moved into the house as well until 1985 when the house was sold. In 2012, the Municipal Chapter was the last of the Hamilton chapters to disband.