Tippecanoe County Extension Homemakers Council, Inc. (1924-)

Organization

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1924 -

Historical Information

The Tippecanoe County Extension Homemakers (TCEH) is affiliated with the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association. It is a council comprised of the presidents of local homemakers clubs within Tippecanoe County as well as special committees appointed by the council. They receive sponsorship from Purdue University's Cooperative Extension Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the State of Indiana. The TCEH officially formed in 1924 and supports home economics projects, 4-H clubs for girls, and provides educational programs for communities in Tippecanoe County.

Home economics extension had been growing well before the formation of the TCEH. Many home economics clubs operated in Tippecanoe County and provided lessons in home economics, some dating back to as early as 1910. In 1913, the Indiana Extension Homemakers held their first state meeting, a result of successful farm owner and expert Virginia Meredith's talks at Farmer's Institutes. The TCEH began to form in 1923 after seven women met with Walker B. Krueck, the Tippecanoe County Extension Agent, with an interest in conducting millinery projects in their townships. They officially formed in 1924 after eighty women met and elected the first president of the then Tippecanoe County Home Economics Club, Mrs. Rainey McCoy.

The initial focus of homemakers clubs were on home economics projects, such as millinery work and clothing. However, by 1929 they became interested in sponsoring girls' 4-H clubs. The homemakers clubs would work with school officials to establish vocational home economics departments in their respective townships. Some clubs were even involved in war work and formed Red Cross committees.

In 1934, the Tippecanoe County Home Economics Club formed its own chorus. Chorus members would travel across the country to perform at special events. Once a year, they would perform at the state conference and chorus festival where chorus clubs from across the state would compete.

In 1955, the Tippecanoe County Home Economics Club changed their name to the Tippecanoe County Home Demonstration Club. They became the Tippecanoe County Extension Homemakers Council, Inc. in 1975, the official name they use today.

Citation:

History of Tippecanoe County Extension Clubs, n.d., Box 1, Tippecanoe County Extension Homemakers records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.