Amherstburg Freedom Museum
@amherstburgfreedom.bsky.social
Black History… Universal Inspiration
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum tells the story of African-Canadians’ journey and contributions, by preserving stories and presenting artifacts that educate and inspire.
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum tells the story of African-Canadians’ journey and contributions, by preserving stories and presenting artifacts that educate and inspire.
#OTD Nov. 24, 1937, North Buxton resident, composer, arranger, educator, and music teacher Harriet “Hattie” Rhue Hatchett (1863-1958) registered the copyright to That Sacred Spot. It was the official marching song of Canada's First World War troops. For years, children sang it on Remembrance Day.
November 24, 2025 at 9:23 PM
#OTD Nov. 24, 1937, North Buxton resident, composer, arranger, educator, and music teacher Harriet “Hattie” Rhue Hatchett (1863-1958) registered the copyright to That Sacred Spot. It was the official marching song of Canada's First World War troops. For years, children sang it on Remembrance Day.
#OTD, November 23rd, 1923, Daniel G. Hill III (OC, OOnt) was born in Independence, MO. The sociologist, author, and champion of Black history became the Ontario Human Rights Commission's first Director, first President of the Ontario Black History Society, and Ombudsman for Ontario.
November 23, 2025 at 10:27 PM
#OTD, November 23rd, 1923, Daniel G. Hill III (OC, OOnt) was born in Independence, MO. The sociologist, author, and champion of Black history became the Ontario Human Rights Commission's first Director, first President of the Ontario Black History Society, and Ombudsman for Ontario.
#OTD Nov. 22nd, 1852, Dennis Hill of Camden, Kent County, Ontario wrote to Egerton Ryerson, Chief Superintendent of Education in Canada West decrying school segregation. Hill was one of many 19th century Black Ontarians who used various means--letters, petitions, the courts--to protest segregation.
November 22, 2025 at 6:45 PM
#OTD Nov. 22nd, 1852, Dennis Hill of Camden, Kent County, Ontario wrote to Egerton Ryerson, Chief Superintendent of Education in Canada West decrying school segregation. Hill was one of many 19th century Black Ontarians who used various means--letters, petitions, the courts--to protest segregation.
#OTD Nov. 20, 1928 in Windsor, Ontario, the Coloured Citizens' Association, later known as the Central Citizens' Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, was formed by McDougall Street Corridor residents. For decades it remained a key civil rights organization led by the Black community.
November 20, 2025 at 8:54 PM
#OTD Nov. 20, 1928 in Windsor, Ontario, the Coloured Citizens' Association, later known as the Central Citizens' Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, was formed by McDougall Street Corridor residents. For decades it remained a key civil rights organization led by the Black community.
#OTD November 19, 1924, the Windsor Art and Literary Club was formed by women of the McDougall Street Corridor to promote social uplift. Elegant events, highlights of Black Windsor's social season, raised funds for Grace, Metropolitan, and Windsor Western Hospitals as well as the Red Cross Society.
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
#OTD November 19, 1924, the Windsor Art and Literary Club was formed by women of the McDougall Street Corridor to promote social uplift. Elegant events, highlights of Black Windsor's social season, raised funds for Grace, Metropolitan, and Windsor Western Hospitals as well as the Red Cross Society.
#OTD, Nov. 15, 1886, Delos Rogest Davis was called to the bar, becoming Canada's third Black lawyer. Davis, a freedom seeker, would go on to receive the designation King's Counsel in 1910--the first Black lawyer in the British Empire to do so. His desk is one of our museum's most prized artifacts.
November 15, 2025 at 8:47 PM
#OTD, Nov. 15, 1886, Delos Rogest Davis was called to the bar, becoming Canada's third Black lawyer. Davis, a freedom seeker, would go on to receive the designation King's Counsel in 1910--the first Black lawyer in the British Empire to do so. His desk is one of our museum's most prized artifacts.
#OTD November 13th, 1996, Rosemary Brown was invested into the Order of Canada. The Jamaican-born social worker, activist, champion of women's and racialized people's rights, and British Columbia MLA was the first Black Canadian woman elected to a provincial legislature.
November 13, 2025 at 6:24 PM
#OTD November 13th, 1996, Rosemary Brown was invested into the Order of Canada. The Jamaican-born social worker, activist, champion of women's and racialized people's rights, and British Columbia MLA was the first Black Canadian woman elected to a provincial legislature.
Thank you to our Board Vice President Barbara Porter for representing the No. 2 Construction Battalion at today’s Windsor Remembrance Day Ceremony. #remembranceday #WeRemember
November 11, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Thank you to our Board Vice President Barbara Porter for representing the No. 2 Construction Battalion at today’s Windsor Remembrance Day Ceremony. #remembranceday #WeRemember
On Remembrance Day, we honour those who gave their lives in service to our country. Year round, a section of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum exhibit honours Black community members who have served with honour in times of military conflict. Learn, reflect, and be inspired. #RemembranceDay #WeRemember
November 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
On Remembrance Day, we honour those who gave their lives in service to our country. Year round, a section of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum exhibit honours Black community members who have served with honour in times of military conflict. Learn, reflect, and be inspired. #RemembranceDay #WeRemember
#OTD Nov. 8, 1946, entrepreneur/educator Viola Desmond refused to give up her seat in the “white” section of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia's Roseland Theatre. She fought her unjust conviction for years before being pardoned posthumously. We honour her courage and the movement she sparked among Canadians.
November 8, 2025 at 9:52 PM
#OTD Nov. 8, 1946, entrepreneur/educator Viola Desmond refused to give up her seat in the “white” section of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia's Roseland Theatre. She fought her unjust conviction for years before being pardoned posthumously. We honour her courage and the movement she sparked among Canadians.
We were delighted to welcome students from North Star High School for a tour at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum this morning (not all shown here.) We love hosting tour groups year round. Contact us to schedule yours!
November 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
We were delighted to welcome students from North Star High School for a tour at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum this morning (not all shown here.) We love hosting tour groups year round. Contact us to schedule yours!
#OTD October 31st, 1916 Alvin D. McCurdy was born in Amherstburg. He collected countless documents relating to Black history including photographs, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, minute books, and correspondence, now known as the Alvin D. McCurdy Fonds at the Archives of Ontario.
October 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
#OTD October 31st, 1916 Alvin D. McCurdy was born in Amherstburg. He collected countless documents relating to Black history including photographs, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, minute books, and correspondence, now known as the Alvin D. McCurdy Fonds at the Archives of Ontario.
#OTD, Oct. 29th, 1975, our Museum was incorporated with signatories Melvin Thomas Simpson, Henry Murray Smith, Karl Turner Matthews, Maurice Edward Glen, Bryan Edmund Walls, Philip Henry Alexander, Armando Felice DeLuca, J. Lyle Browning, Orland Bruce Scott, and Lionel Hanson. Here's to the next 50!
October 29, 2025 at 5:38 PM
#OTD, Oct. 29th, 1975, our Museum was incorporated with signatories Melvin Thomas Simpson, Henry Murray Smith, Karl Turner Matthews, Maurice Edward Glen, Bryan Edmund Walls, Philip Henry Alexander, Armando Felice DeLuca, J. Lyle Browning, Orland Bruce Scott, and Lionel Hanson. Here's to the next 50!
#OTD Oct. 28, 1830, Josiah Henson (abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor, leader, minister, author, orator), his wife, and four children arrived in Fort Erie, Upper Canada. Their freedom journey took them through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, by ship to Buffalo, and across the Niagara River.
October 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
#OTD Oct. 28, 1830, Josiah Henson (abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor, leader, minister, author, orator), his wife, and four children arrived in Fort Erie, Upper Canada. Their freedom journey took them through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, by ship to Buffalo, and across the Niagara River.
#OTD, October 25th, 1929 Eugene Steele was born in North Buxton, Ontario. In 1958 he joined the Windsor Fire and Rescue Service as the first Black Canadian firefighter. According to Ron Jones, Windsor's second Black firefighter, Eugene Steele was “the bravest man" he ever met.
October 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
#OTD, October 25th, 1929 Eugene Steele was born in North Buxton, Ontario. In 1958 he joined the Windsor Fire and Rescue Service as the first Black Canadian firefighter. According to Ron Jones, Windsor's second Black firefighter, Eugene Steele was “the bravest man" he ever met.
#OTD in 2001 The Tower of Freedom Monument in Windsor was dedicated at 200 Pitt St. E. The Tower of Freedom and the Gateway to Freedom in Hart Plaza, Detroit were designed by African American artist, Ed Dwight, and are the only International Memorial to the Underground Railroad.
October 20, 2025 at 9:10 PM
#OTD in 2001 The Tower of Freedom Monument in Windsor was dedicated at 200 Pitt St. E. The Tower of Freedom and the Gateway to Freedom in Hart Plaza, Detroit were designed by African American artist, Ed Dwight, and are the only International Memorial to the Underground Railroad.
Many thanks to the Architectural Conservancy Ontario for recognizing the Amherstburg Freedom Museum with the 2025 Public Education and Engagement Award!
October 20, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Many thanks to the Architectural Conservancy Ontario for recognizing the Amherstburg Freedom Museum with the 2025 Public Education and Engagement Award!
#OTD October 19, 2012 the Honourable Lincoln Alexander passed away. Born in Toronto, he was the first Black Member of Parliament, the first Black federal Cabinet Minister, the first Black Lieutenant-Governor, and the first person to serve five terms as Chancellor of the University of Guelph.
October 19, 2025 at 1:58 PM
#OTD October 19, 2012 the Honourable Lincoln Alexander passed away. Born in Toronto, he was the first Black Member of Parliament, the first Black federal Cabinet Minister, the first Black Lieutenant-Governor, and the first person to serve five terms as Chancellor of the University of Guelph.
#OTD in 1817 Samuel Ringgold Ward was born enslaved in Maryland before escaping with his parents. Educated in New York before settling in Toronto, the noted orator, pastor, and teacher traveled across Ontario lecturing on the evils of slavery and founding new branches of the Anti-Slavery of Canada.
October 17, 2025 at 4:10 PM
#OTD in 1817 Samuel Ringgold Ward was born enslaved in Maryland before escaping with his parents. Educated in New York before settling in Toronto, the noted orator, pastor, and teacher traveled across Ontario lecturing on the evils of slavery and founding new branches of the Anti-Slavery of Canada.
#OTD October 15, 1935 Willie O’Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. On January 18, 1958, O’Ree made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first Black player in NHL history. In 2018 O'Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
October 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
#OTD October 15, 1935 Willie O’Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. On January 18, 1958, O’Ree made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first Black player in NHL history. In 2018 O'Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
#OTD Oct. 13, 1887, Dr. Clement Ligoure was born in Trinidad. After graduating from Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario, he moved to Halifax, becoming the first Black physician to practice in Nova Scotia. #DYK he treated victims of the 1917 Halifax Explosion free of charge in his private clinic?
October 14, 2025 at 1:35 AM
#OTD Oct. 13, 1887, Dr. Clement Ligoure was born in Trinidad. After graduating from Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario, he moved to Halifax, becoming the first Black physician to practice in Nova Scotia. #DYK he treated victims of the 1917 Halifax Explosion free of charge in his private clinic?
#OTD October 13, 1916, the founder of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, Melvin "Mac" Simpson, was born in Amherstburg. The talented florist and musician spearheaded the establishment of the museum in the 1960s, incorporation in 1975, and the opening of the new main building in 1981.
October 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
#OTD October 13, 1916, the founder of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, Melvin "Mac" Simpson, was born in Amherstburg. The talented florist and musician spearheaded the establishment of the museum in the 1960s, incorporation in 1975, and the opening of the new main building in 1981.
#OTD, Oct. 10th, 1929 Elijah McCoy passed away in Nankin Township (near Westland), Michigan. Born in Colchester, Ontario to freedom-seekers, the prolific inventor obtained more than 50 patents in his lifetime, most notably for his automatic lubricating cup which improved the efficiency of trains.
October 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
#OTD, Oct. 10th, 1929 Elijah McCoy passed away in Nankin Township (near Westland), Michigan. Born in Colchester, Ontario to freedom-seekers, the prolific inventor obtained more than 50 patents in his lifetime, most notably for his automatic lubricating cup which improved the efficiency of trains.
#OTD in 1823, Mary Ann Shadd was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She moved to Windsor, ON in 1851, already a seasoned abolitionist, journalist, orator, and teacher. Soon she authored A Plea for Emigration and became North America's the first Black woman to publish a newspaper, The Provincial Freeman.
October 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
#OTD in 1823, Mary Ann Shadd was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She moved to Windsor, ON in 1851, already a seasoned abolitionist, journalist, orator, and teacher. Soon she authored A Plea for Emigration and became North America's the first Black woman to publish a newspaper, The Provincial Freeman.
#OTD in 1841 the Amherstburg Regular Missionary Baptist Association, which continues to unite several Ontario Black Baptist congregations today, was founded in Amherstburg. Shown: First Baptist Church Amherstburg, built in 1848-1849; ARMBA delegates at Queen Street Baptist Church, Dresden, 1913.
October 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM
#OTD in 1841 the Amherstburg Regular Missionary Baptist Association, which continues to unite several Ontario Black Baptist congregations today, was founded in Amherstburg. Shown: First Baptist Church Amherstburg, built in 1848-1849; ARMBA delegates at Queen Street Baptist Church, Dresden, 1913.