Eldon House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eldon House |
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| Location | 481 Ridout Street North London, Ontario Canada |
| Area | 11 acres |
| Built | 1834 |
| Original use | Residential house |
| Current use | Museum |
| Architectural style(s) | Georgian |
| Owner | City of London |
| Website | www.eldonhouse.ca/ |
Eldon House is a special historic house and museum located in London, Ontario, Canada. It's known as the oldest home in London that has been lived in continuously. The house and its beautiful grounds were once a private property, but now the land around it is a public space called Harris Park.
The Harris family, led by Captain John Harris and his wife Amelia, lived in Eldon House from 1834 until 1959. Captain John Harris named the house after someone he admired, the Earl of Eldon.
Today, Eldon House is a museum where you can take tours and learn about life in the past. They also host fun events throughout the year, like Canada Day celebrations and Victorian Christmas. The museum works with other Canadian museum groups to share its history.
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The Story of Eldon House
Eldon House was built in 1834. It's a great example of Georgian architecture, a popular style from that time. When it was first built, the house sat on a large piece of land, about 11 acres.
The Harris Family Moves In
Captain John Harris and Amelia Ryerse got married in 1815. Amelia's family, the Ryerses, were important people in Canada and were loyal to the British. John and Amelia had twelve children, and ten of them grew up in Eldon House.
On September 10, 1834, the Harris family, with their eight children at the time, moved into their new home. They lived there for 125 years! The seven Harris daughters were well-known in London's social scene. Some of them even married British military officers.
Passing Through Generations
After Captain John Harris passed away, Eldon House was passed down to his three sons: John Fitzjohn, Edward William, and George Becher. Edward William added an extension to the house in 1877, making it even bigger.
Later, George Becher Harris and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Lucy Ronalds (known as Lucy), took over the house in 1887. Lucy inherited a lot of wealth and many items from her family's home in England. This allowed the family to go on an amazing trip around the world in 1897! Many of the souvenirs and family treasures they collected are still on display at Eldon House today.
The House Becomes a Museum
After George Becher Harris died in 1923, his oldest son, George Henry Ronald Harris, became the owner. Ronald was an engineer who traveled a lot for his work, especially in Africa. He brought back many interesting souvenirs, including weapons, which you can see at the museum.
Ronald Harris lived in Eldon House with his wife Lorna Gibbons and their three children: George, Amelia Lucy, and Ronald Sutton (Robin). Ronald's older sister, Amelia (Milly) Harris, also lived there.
In 1959, after Ronald's sister Amelia passed away, his children decided to donate Eldon House and its gardens to the City of London. This generous gift allowed the house to become a public museum, so everyone could learn about its history and the lives of the Harris family.
An Ontario Historical Plaque was placed at Eldon House to recognize its important role in Ontario's heritage.
Images for kids
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The beautiful exterior of Eldon House.
