Tarpon Fish

A picture of a large silver fish mounted on a wall. The wallpaper behind is red and gold.
A tarpon in the Back Hall of Eldon House

Country of Origin: Mexico
Year: 1909
Materials: Fish, glass, oil paint, sawdust 

A central piece in the back hall of Eldon House, the tarpon was caught by one of the smallest Harris Family members, Milly Harris. Measuring at around 5 feet in length, Milly caught this fish on a trip with her father George to Mexico in 1909. Milly went on several fishing expeditions in Mexico, and this was the second one she caught. She had this one stuffed with sawdust, and painted, which would be unusual way to taxidermy a fish today, but typical in the early twentieth century. It is placed in the Smoker’s Nook of Eldon House, which was a traditionally male area of the house, solidifying Milly’s place amongst her male relations.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.