Gas Hotplate

An image of a three section hotplate with a tea kettle on the right.
Hotplate in the Eldon House Kitchen

Country of Origin: Canada
Year: ca. 1900
Materials: Metal 

This gas hotplate was retained by the Harris Family well after the introduction of electric appliances in the kitchen. The gas rings were favoured because the cook and the family held the belief that gas heat boiled water faster, which was ideal for the tea drinking family. The gas appliance is a McClary. McClary was a company that was founded in London in 1847, starting as a tin smithing business, before moving into manufacturing cast iron appliances. By 1927 they joined General Steel Works, and stopped trademarking with their stamps in the early 1930s.

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.