Before Their Time

Through their intimate diaries and letters, a wealth of observations were made about femininity in the 19th and early 20th Centuries by three generations of Harris women. Read from the lense of the 21st Century, one finds that the views of the Harris women are incredibly modern. Education, marriage, birth, and legal status are all touched upon by the family, as well as the topics of work, travel, friendship, work and politics. Five figures form the Harris Family are explored in this exhibition – from the matriarch of the Family, Amelia Harris, to the last resident of the home before it became a public institution, Milly Harris.

 

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.