Skating Chair

A yellow wooden chair with gliders on the bottom. The seat is curved and is made of metal.
Milly's Skating Chair from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: Canada  
Year: ca. 1940 
Materials: Wood   


Milly Harris was an avid sportswoman since she was a child. She was involved in various athletics, including golfing, croquet, fishing, snowshoeing, and hockey. In fact, she was a founding member of a women’s hockey team in London and was a lifelong patron of the London Skating Club.  

This chair was an assistive device that Milly used when she was no longer able to skate independently due to age. The chair is designed with large stretchers on the bottom, so it was easier to push along the ice. This would allow her to enjoy ice skating without having to balance.  

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.