A Man of Botany

A Man of Botany

In the 1880s the fortunes of the Harris Family of Eldon House improved with a substantial inheritance from the Ronalds Estate, when Lucy Harris became the sole heiress of her English family’s fortune. The wealth that the Ronalds accrued over several generations is linked to the botanical trade and the nineteenth century’s exploration of exotic and medical plants. Hugh Ronalds, Lucy’s great-grandfather was considered a “Man of Botany” and immersed himself in the world of plants. Part of the inheritance that made its way to London Ontario was a large cabinet housing 12 volumes of pressed and identified botanical specimens attributed to Hugh Ronalds. This exhibit explores the story behind the specimen volumes, how and where they were collected and why they are significant today.

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.