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Rarely Seen

Rarely Seen

January 31, 2019 MK Whelan No comments

To Celebrate Black History Month the Amherstburg Freedom Museum invites the community to view a selection of recently acquired and rarely seen artifacts from the collection on display in ‘Rarely Seen.’ Rarely Seen showcases items that rarely get a turn in the spotlight and the stories they share. Like most museums, we only display a small fraction of our collection! It is important to open up our collection and bring out artifacts and archival materials that explore the deep connections to this area’s rich Black historical roots and its present day connections.

In addition to our temporary exhibit ‘Rarely Seen’, throughout February, the Museum will be offering $1 off admission for each person who can tell us what year the Nazrey AME church was built (1848) and by whom (people fleeing enslavement in the U.S).

MK WhelanRarely Seen
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Black History Month

January 24, 2019 MK Whelan , , 3 comments

Keep up to date on 2019 Black History Month events happening in Windsor-Essex County

The 2019 Windsor-Essex Black History Month Activity Schedule activity schedule will be officially launched February 1, 2019 and updated regularly online. Please visit this page for the latest and most accurate information.

Click to Download A PDF of the latest version of the 2019 Windsor-Essex Black History Month Activity Schedule

Essex County is rich in Black history. Canadians of African descent have played important roles in the cultural, political, social, and economic progress of our communities. Our region has been populated by people of African descent from the 18th century, when free Black Loyalists as well as enslaved Africans were among the area’s early residents; to the 19th century when formerly enslaved African Americans and free people of colour streamed into this area by the thousands, fleeing either bondage or oppression; to the modern era when immigrants from the continent of Africa and the Caribbean made this region their new home.

Stay tuned for some of the Black History Month events happening around our region!

The sixth annual Windsor-Essex Joint Black History Month Kickoff, an event co-hosted by the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, the Windsor West Indian Association, and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, will be taking place on Friday, February 1st, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Caribbean Centre, 2410 Central Avenue in Windsor.

MK WhelanBlack History Month
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Sharing Our Stories

October 21, 2018 MK Whelan No comments

The Underground Railroad: Next Stop Freedom

Deborah Brown tells the true story of her heroic flight from a life of slavery in Maryland to her new life of freedom in 19th-century Toronto. This video presentation was created by Parks Canada in partnership with the Ontario Black History Society and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Sharing Our Stories

Listen as Fred Johnson recalls the history of his family, told to him by his father about his grandfather, Gabriel Timberlake, who was enslaved in Kentucky.

An abolitionist working as an overseer suggested Timberlake, then 19 years old, run away with others who were planning an escape. Aided by Quakers and supporters, the young man chose to risk his life like so many others, in a bid for freedom. They followed the north star by wagon, foot and boat, determined to elude bounty hunters and slave catchers until they crossed the Detroit River to Amherstburg.

Learn more about our history at #Amherstburg Freedom Museum.

Listen to Kimberly Simmons tell the history of her great great great grandmother, Caroline Quarlls Watkins, the first Underground Railroad “passenger” in Wisconsin who made it to freedom in Canada.

MK WhelanSharing Our Stories
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