We would like to pay homage to African Canadian Museums that have been honoring our history for years and was a part of the inspiration in creating a project like this for the Ottawa-Gatineau Region. These buildings hold heritage, their spaces tell stories, and their collections help us to not only be seen but remembered. We highly recommend visiting these places to learn, engage, and connect.
Established in 1983, to Protect, Preserve, and Promote the history and culture of African Nova Scotians. The Centre is a museum and cultural gathering place, where the rich history of Nova Scotians of African Descent can be discovered and explored.
10 Cherry Brook Road,
Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia B2Z 1A8
Tel: 902-434-6223 Toll-Free: 1-800-465-0767 (North America)
Fax: 902-434-2306
Email: contact@bccns.com
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The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre tells the story of the world’s largest free African population outside of Africa, in the late 18th century in Nova Scotia.
In addition to the Centre, you can also visit historic buildings and the National Monument commemorating the Black Loyalist Landing in Birchtown in 1783.
119 Old Birchtown Road
Site 10, Mod 3, Comp 14
Shelburne, NS
B0T1W0
Exit 27 Trans Canada HWY 103
902-875-1310
Fax: 902-875-1352
Blackloyalist@blackloyalist.com
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The Amherstburg Freedom Museum is located in Amherstburg, Ontario, then, a chief entry point into Canada for those escaping slavery. Amherstburg resident Melvin “Mac” Simpson believed that social, economic, and educational problems could be addressed more effectively by people with greater self-awareness and pride in their own history.
He wanted to do something tangible to increase Black awareness, to help future generations claim and develop enhanced dignity, strength, and purpose of being. He envisioned a means to educate the entire community. In 1966, the pastor and members of the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church, which included Mr. Simpson, raised money to build a museum hall attached to the church. The Museum became incorporated in 1975. Funding from municipal, provincial and federal governments, individuals, and local businesses allowed the construction of the current building, which opened on September 20, 1981. Mac Simpson died in January 1982, has added to the legacy of his people. The Church was given a new life in 1999, with major renovations to the interior, exterior and roof, and was designated the first Black National Historic Site in Canada. It has been preserved as part of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum and is a testament to the Underground Railroad and a symbol of freedom.
277 King Street
Amherstburg
1-519-736-5433 | 1-800-713-6336
https://amherstburgfreedom.org
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It was the dream of Howard Sheffield to gather and preserve the history of his ancestors and share it with the family. Community friends also became interested in the history of the black pioneers and settlers of Collingwood and the surrounding areas. His collection of family photos and artifacts attracted donations of more items from white families who grew up with the original homesteaders. Interest increased and various cultural artifacts were donated to Howard’s project. Sheffield Park Museum now became Sheffield Park Black History & Cultural Museum. The museum includes pioneer life and times, the social networking of a community, and the preservation of past generations.
Howard Sheffield’s dream was to keep the events of the past visible so we, and future generations, would never forget. The dream continues…
241 Clark Street
Clarksburg, ON N0H 1J0
sheffieldblackhistory@gmail.com
Tel: 519-599-6226
https://www.sheffieldparkblackhistory.com
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The Museum’s main purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret historical artifacts related to the Elgin (Buxton) Settlement from its founding in 1849 to the late 19th century. A related purpose is to provide the personal histories and genealogies of the original settlers and their descendants through on-going historical research.
The Museum, renamed Buxton National Historic Site & Museum in 1998, is currently owned by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. The Museum serves the inhabitants of Kent County and Southwestern Ontario, and also attracts visitors and researchers from across Canada and the United States.
21975 A.D. Shadd Road
North Buxton, ON N0P1Y0
phone: 519-352-4799
email: buxton@ciaccess.com
http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/about/purpose.html
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Sandwich First Baptist Church is one of nine churches that represents the Amherstburg Regular Missionary Baptist Association (A.R.M.B.A.) The Church also holds membership with the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec (B.C.O.Q.). Sandwich Baptist Church received a commendation from the Heritage Minister and was decreed a Historic Site in 2000.
3652 Peter Street, Windsor, Ontario, N9C 1J7
(519) 252-4917
sandwichbaptistchurch@bellnet.ca
http://www.sandwichbaptistchurch.ca
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Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the discovery, research, and preservation of the black history found in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the city of Chatham. In the early 1800s, Black families settled along McGregor’s Creek in the tiny town of Chatham, then known as “the Forks”. The Village soon became a haven for runaway slaves and by 1850, its population was 1/3 Black. Once here, Black people in Chatham thrived in business, education, medicine, sport, and literary and cultural arts. News of their success attracted Black people to the area from across North America.
1 77 King Street East
Inside the WISH Centre
Chatham, Ontario, Canada, N7M 3N1
Contact: Samantha Meredith
Executive Director-Curator
Phone: (519) 352-3565
email: info@ckblackhistoricalsociety.org
https://ckbhs.org
We are the Black Canadian Archive for the National Capital Region.
Our mission is to preserve history, pass on knowledge, collect resources, and recognize experiences and practices of Black Canadians in the National Capital Region through oral and written tradition and initiatives.