Femi Lewis, About.com: Museum Spotlight: North American Black Historical Museum, Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada

Spinning Wheel on Exhibit at
North American Black Historical Museum, 

Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada

About.com African-American History

Femi Lewis

We all know that enslaved African-Americans escaped from southern states to the north on the Underground Railroad.

But how many of you have thought of enslaved African-Americans who decided not to stop in the North, but kept traveling to Canada?

For many African-Americans who escaped enslavement, settiling in the North was not an option. In the North, runaways could be captured and brought back to their owner.

With the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 enacted and being upheld, Canada became the ultimate destination for enslaved African-Americans searching for freedom.

But since enslavement was abolished in Canada in 1833, locations close to the border became a haven for enslaved African-Americans searching for freedom between the 1830s and 1860s.

In a recent article published in the Times Colonist, the North American Black Historical Museum was featured for its contributions to remembering former slaves who escaped to Canada. The museum's curator, Terran Fader contends that the town of Amherstburg was "the chief crossing point for the Underground Railroad."

In addition to several collections that honor the lives of escaped slaves and also remembers the treacherous history of Canadian slavery, is a log cabin which is considered a historic home by the town. Inside are several artifacts which were donated by descendants of formerly enslaved people.

Also featured is the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was built by former slaves in 1848. In 1999, the church was chosen to be a National Historic Site of Canada.

If you're interested in visiting the North American Black Museum, it's located at 277 King Street, Amherstburg, Ontario. The museum is open from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit the museum's website, www.blackhistoricalmuseum.org or call 1-800-713-6336.