Museum Update

The initial feasibility study was done some time ago by independent consultant Nancy Hushion and Associates with some funds received from Canadian Heritage's Museum Assistance Programme, resulting in what the consultant said was the most universally supportive initiative that her firm has ever worked on!

The second part, the creation of the business plan, is currently underway, and, upon completion of the report, further steps will be taken to actualize this project.

What can you do to help? You could check to see if there are any artifacts, that is, photographs, diaries, sales drafts of property, collections of your ancestors, or unique items that you suspect would have historical value or be of wide interest. These items might help to tell a story or be combined with other things to convey an experience. Your items in addition to the special collections that the OBHS already has such as the Mary Ann Shadd Collection, the Leonard Braithwaite collection, the Portia White collection and others, will assist in the telling and preservation of our story.

Your financial support is always welcome!

Toronto’s Black community has a rich history. The Ontario Black History Society’s dream of creating a museum related to African Canadian history is now becoming a reality. One fascinating part of that history is Toronto’s role as a destination for former slaves.

Developing a museum sprang out of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) attempt to save the site of Toronto’s oldest surviving African-Canadian church. The OBHS lobbied the City of Toronto to preserve the African Methodist Episcopal Church on Soho Street. Although the effort failed, it did have a positive outcome. In October 1997, Toronto City Council committed its support to establishing an Underground Railroad Museum. The council further resolved that the developer of the Soho Street property would contribute funds to help in the commemoration of the AME/African-Canadian church history.

The Underground Railroad was not actually a train but rather a name given to a loosely organized system which helped fugitive slaves and free Blacks find freedom in Canada. On August 1, 1834, the British Imperial Act abolishing slavery went into effect in British controlled areas worldwide, including Canada. Since slavery continued in the United States, both Black and white abolitionists assisted Black people through providing them with financial support, directions, shelter, food or transportation. Later, the American Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 forced freedom-seeking African Americans, and often those who helped them, to leave the United States and enter Canada. The Underground Railroad ended after the American Civil War and the end of American slavery.

Estimates vary, but Ontario was the destination for thousands of people seeking freedom. They settled throughout the province. Two of Toronto’s most famous Black settlers to arrive via the Underground Railroad were Lucie and Thornton Blackburn. Their flight to Toronto prompted the Detroit Riots. Upon establishing themselves here, they became affluent by creating a taxi service.

The first concept for an OBHS museum, was to create an Underground Railroad Museum in Toronto. With funding from Canadian Heritage, the Museum Assistance Programme (MAP), a feasibility study was carried out. In addition to the highly favorable level of interest in a Black museum found by Nancy Hushion and Associates, the feedback, as well as the diversity that exists among the African-Canadian population suggested that the concept be expanded.

Now, the idea of a staid museum exhibit only museum includes the idea of a community centre, a space within the museum where cultural attractions could be hosted. The concept was broadened to ensure that the history of the peoples of the AME Church/Black pioneers be a central point and that the more recent or additional histories those now living and contributing to Canada, that is, African-Canadians having connections to other areas in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe or South America, be included.

In co-operation with Parks Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Culture, the Royal Ontario Museum and others, the Ontario Black History Society developed the interactive exhibit, The Underground Railroad: Next Stop Toronto!, to be gifted to the OBHS for inclusion in our museum. The exhibit, featuring various media, music and artifacts, gives an overview of the early Black population. It was launched at the ROM by the Canadian Minister of Culture in a nationally interactive educational event. Due to construction at the ROM, the exhibit was relocated to Black Creek Pioneer Village.

Toronto is home to half of all of people of African origin Canada! Some African-Canadians may have roots or connections to the Underground Railroad, to Black Loyalists, or to waves of immigration sparked by WWI and WWII or Canada’s Domestic Workers scheme of the 1950’s. The change in Canada’s immigration laws in the 1960’s facilitated African peoples from around the world in coming into Canada. This diversity within the African-Canadian population will be reflected in the cultural centre/museum of African-Canadian history.

Again with the assistance of the MAP, a business plan, is being developed and should be available to guide our next steps shortly.

Artifacts

Look among your belongings to see if a treasure is hiding there. Perhaps you have in your possession historic or significant papers, photographs or household/business articles which might be of value to both researchers and the general community.

Books and Pamphlets

Documents on the presence and contributions of Canadians of African descent will enhance our resource library.

Join the Museum

Become a member of the Ontario Black History Society, the non-profit organization that is working on the creation of the museum project.

Money and Donations in Kind

Your donations will help turn the dream of a museum into a reality.

Oral History

Do you have a story to tell? We can record and preserve your stories, your history for our future.

Volunteer

It takes a whole village to raise a child, and the museum project is in its infancy! Join us! Become involved!