Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site, Dresden, Ontario
http://www.ciaccess.com/~jdnewby/black/uncletom.htm
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| The original cabin where Reverend Josiah Henson lived. |
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| Here is the memorial to the Dawn Settlement. |
"The tour of Uncle Tom's Cabin was one of my favorite sites. The achievement of success in reaching Canada was an accomplishment that we all can use as a model for success. Our ancestors had a vision. They focused on that vision and followed it with faith! They had faith, focus, and a vision. It makes me proud to look at the success of the past, and apply it to the present in order to prepare for the future."
The Dresden site includes the original "cabin", "Uncle Tom's" gravesite, and five additional historic structures. The experiences of Reverend Josiah Henson, a fugitive slave from Maryland - his courage, compassion, and achievements - inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe to write the book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. Henson worked as a slave for 41 years. He escaped in 1830 to Upper Canada via the Underground Railroad. In 1841, he and a group of abolitionists purchased 200 acres near Dresden, Ontario and established the Dawn Settlement where one year later they started the British American Institute for fugitive slaves.
The Institute was Canada's first industrial school which was designed to teach basic skills to fugitives who had known only slavery in the United States. Many former slaves settled here. After emancipation in 1863, many returned to the United States, but Reverend Henson continued to live there until his death in 1883.
This is a replication of Reverend Josiah Henson.
This is a monument to Reverend Josiah Henson.
While visiting the historic site, the group toured the Josiah Henson Interpretive Centre to view its collection of 19th century artifacts, rare books, and historical documents pertaining to the abolitionist era. We were reminded that fugitive slaves escaping north to freedom could not always count on nice weather and clear nights; they knew that moss grows on the north side of a tree, so especially on an overcast or stormy night they could continue their flight north with this knowledge.
"The minstrels of the 1800's portrayed Uncle Tom as a simple-minded, 'tattletale', subservient, 'lackey' slave who loved his master and hated himself and his kinsmen for being Black. But this was a mischaracterization of what Harriet Beecher Stowe had portrayed in her book. This is a perfect example of how powerful the medium of creative arts is. The stereotypes that resulted from the minstrel shows have been perpetuated for more than two hundred years. What a shame! How sad! However, it is past time to do something constructive about this and other racial, discriminatory, destructive practices that affect all of mankind."
This is the inside of a free-slave's Canadian cabin.
These chains and shackles were used on enslaved people.
Buxton Historic Site and Museum, North Buxton, Ontario
http://www.ciaccess.com/~jdnewby/musemu.htm
Next, the group visited the Elgin Settlement in North Buxton which was founded in 1849. Soon the population, which included many fugitive slaves from the United States, grew to nearly 2,000. While at the museum we saw artifacts, diaries, and papers emphasizing the history and accomplishments of the original settlers. We learned that the settlement, built around an agricultural economy, included many thriving businesses such as a saw and grist mill, a potash factory, a brickyard, hotel, blacksmith shop, and dry goods store. The settlers emphasized quality education for themselves and their children, building several schools.
This was one of Buxton's original churches which was later turned into a school.
"I could feel the pride that the families had for their heritage, as they shared their knowledge with us. Being an elementary teacher who has worked at a 'magnet school', I found it especially interesting that the Reverend William King's 'Black' school began attracting Anglo families solely based on a quality program. It just points out that no matter the ethnic background, all parents just want the best for their children, nothing more...and we as educators should fulfill that dream."
We learned that fugitive slaves would speak using code words and referred to escaping slave children as "baggage." Women were called "dry goods" and men, "hardware." We saw a statue of a Black groomsmen or jockey. The jockey is offensive to many Blacks today, but during Underground Railroad days, a jockey holding a lantern or red cloth was a symbol to fugitive slaves that they could stop at the adjacent "safe house" to rest and eat before traveling on. Buxton is one of the few remaining Black Canadian settlements still in existence since the pre-Civil War era. Today it is inhabited by descendants of those original settlers who elected to remain in Canada and on the day of our visit, these descendants were having a family reunion and picnic.
The Freeman family reunion.
"I was really happy to see how the descendants of the Hensons, Freemans, and Walls were appreciative of their ancestry and were willing to share this information with the world."
"In listening to the Canadian story, I was disheartened to learn that Canada also had segregated schools. After the slaves, who had suffered enormously in the South, and endured a dangerous trek along their route to Canada, continued to suffer the evils of discrimination and segregation. So, the 'Promised Land' - Canaan and freedom still came at a price."
The John Freeman Walls Historic Site, Maidstone, Ontario
http://www.web.net/~proverbs/
The last site we visited today was the John Freeman Walls Historic Site in Maidstone. Ee saw the cabin built in 1846 by John Freeman Walls, a fugitive slave from North Carolina. The museum traces the journey of African Canadians from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean through the United States and into Canada and freedom. We were met by Mr. Allen Walls, one of the many Walls descendants working at the museum, and were led along a pathway as we recreated the journey of escaping slaves making their way to Canada and to freedom. We had to journey through the woods, followed by barking dogs, before crossing the river into Canada. We saw a false bottom wagon that many slaves would hide in during their journey.
Peg Hill with Mr. Allen Walls (left) at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site.
The story of John Freeman Walls is recorded in the book, The Road That Led to Somewhere, by one of his descendants, Dr. Bryan Walls.
This is a replica of a false bottom wagon where slaves would hide during their escape to freedom.
The highlight of this day was meeting Mrs. Rosa Parks, "the mother of the modern-day civil rights movement" who was visiting the site today as part of a 3 week camp and conference for young people from across North America. Our group was in awe of this gentle woman now 85 years old... a woman, who in 1955, refused to move to the back of a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Tired of social injustice, her simple act of courage set in motion a chain of events that changed American race relations forever. Seeing Mrs. Parks validated, for many of us, the passion we all have for freedom and equality, and of her legacy to a world still struggling to live in peace and harmony.
This is a monument to the "end of the line" - to freedom in Canada, the Promised Land.
"The highlight of this trip was my opportunity to meet Rosa Parks! She is an inspiration to all of us. I felt pride and love when she shook my hand and smiled."
"I was in awe of the chance to be at the same event as Rosa Parks. What a thrill! She was so gracious."
"Today was the most special day of all... most magical of all was being able to sit next to my idol, Rosa Parks - whose quiet grace has lit my way so many times throughout my life."
To learn more about Rosa Parks visit the Scholastic website which includes a biography and an interview:
http://scholasticnetwork.com/rosa/rosa.htm
Other sites:
http://www.greatwomen.org/parks.htm
and: http://www.net4tv.com/color/50/RParks.htm
To read essays about Rosa Parks written by students:
http://www.teachnet.org/blueplate/BH/parks.html
Peg Hill meets Rosa Parks.
Judy Krupnick (right) and Sindi Wasserman (left) with Mrs. Rosa Parks.
Dick Folger greets Mrs. Rosa Parks.
Reflections:
"This trip has created a deeper understanding of Black history, and recognition that both the times and the people need more emphasis in the classroom. There is so much to be proud of. My hope, my challenge, is to create pride in all my students for the people we have learned about. I know that most of my students have not heard of John Rankin, John Parker, Josiah Henson, John Freeman Walls and they should know of these outstanding Americans and Canadians."
"As this 'train' pulls into the station on our final leg of the Underground Railroad, I must say it has been a rich experience for me to have been part of this history of our people, who traveled many miles to obtain their freedom. Many times they endured pain and agony by being whipped, chained, shot or hung, but they continued on... not giving up the fight for freedom. My respect goes deep for everyone on this study trip. We must continue to tell this story of our forefathers, for those who died as slaves, and for those who helped them escape the bonds of slavery."
"I was invited to join the group the last night for dinner. The impact of this evening was profound. Everyone had such a life story to share. I realized that all these wonderful people joining together had become much more than an educational tour of the Underground Railroad. It had become a close knit family of friends learning about each other - understanding each other - and most of all - accepting each other for what we are. I truly believe the North Star was shining down on this group that evening."
