Milly: Victorian Girl to Modern Woman

During the lifetime of Amelia (“Milly”)Archange Harris (1868-1959) almost all aspects of social and technological life had altered from the previous generation. As an avid diarist, Milly’s varied experiences were regularly recorded and are able to illustrate her powers of observation – and judgement – from the time of leg-of-mutton-sleeves to the launch of Sputnik. This exhibition aims to track the transformation of a Victorian to a Modern Canadian, through the written and photographic reflections of an independent thinker.

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.