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Ontario’s Black heritage network

The Windsor Tower of Freedom monument honors the harrowing journey made by thousands in search of freedom and pays tribute to Ontario’s role in the Underground Railroad.

Photo: The Windsor Tower of Freedom monument honors the harrowing journey made by thousands in search of freedom and pays tribute to Ontario’s role in the Underground Railroad.

By

Steven Cook

Black heritage

Published Date: Feb 14, 2008

In 2007, the Ontario Heritage Trust undertook a number of initiatives, with funding support from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. One of these initiatives is a website to promote and coordinate Ontario’s Black heritage sites and groups. The website will focus on Ontario’s Underground Railroad and our rich Black history.

The Underground Railroad was neither a railroad, nor was it underground. It was the name given to the network of sympathetic abolitionists who hid and guided slaves and refugees as they followed the north star to freedom in the northern United States or to Canada. Today, a number of buildings, cemeteries, churches and historic sites exist as a testament to the bravery, determination and spirit of these freedom seekers and others who followed in their footsteps to build a strong and vibrant Black community in Ontario.

The website will highlight Black history sites and community partners from across the province to share their stories and educate visitors about the African-Canadian experience. The website will also encourage both educational and tourism opportunities for web visitors, with input from community partners, tour operators, educators and Black heritage organizations.

The partners of Ontario’s Black heritage network will be the driving force in developing content for the website. Partners will have the ability to update information on news and events occurring at their sites. The website’s interactive timeline will allow visitors to explore significant people, places and events in Black history through maps, narrative, photographs and music.

This website showcasing Ontario’s Underground Railroad and Black heritage sites and groups will be a meaningful and lasting step in promoting education and tourism related to Ontario’s Black heritage.

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