There’s Not a Bathing Suit in Russia

A grid image of a book. At the top there is am image of a cowboy flying toward St. Basil's. It has Eldon House's address on top.
There's Not A Bathing Suit in Russia from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: United States of America
Year: 1927
Materials: Paper and ink 

This novel was written by the famous comedian Will Rogers and was a satirical novel about post-Revolutionary Russia. In typical Will Roger’s style, he portrayed himself as a typical American cowboy going through Russia and encountering strange customs of the Russian people, as well as poking fun at the former political leaders of the country.

The journey of this novel is interesting to the Museum. It was purchased by Ronald Harris around 1927 but was donated to the Museum in 2022. Likely, Ronald or one of his children either gave the book away or loaned it to a friend who never returned the book. A donor found this book in a used bookstore and gave it back to Eldon House. Needless to say, museum staff are happy to have this item come back.

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.