Amherstburg Freedom Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1975 |
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| Location | 277 King St. Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | National Historic Site |
| Official name: Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church | |
| Designated: | 1998 |
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum is a special place in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada. It used to be called the 'North American Black Historical Museum'. This museum is run by the community and doesn't aim to make a profit. Its main goal is to share the amazing stories and achievements of African-Canadians.
The museum was started in 1975 by people living in the area. It keeps and shows items that tell the history of African-Canadians. Many of these people were ancestors of those who came to Canada seeking safety from slavery in the United States. It was often easier for them to cross the Detroit River into Canada. Even though Michigan was a free state, many people who had escaped slavery chose to settle in Canada. This was to make sure they were completely safe from laws like the US Fugitive Slave Acts, which could force them back into slavery.
The museum complex has both permanent and changing exhibits. It includes the main museum building, the historic Taylor Log Cabin, and the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Contents
Why Was the Museum Started?
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum was founded by a local couple, Betty and Melvin "Mac" Simpson. They officially opened it in 1975. Their dream was to celebrate the rich history of African Canadians. Many of these individuals were ancestors of people who had escaped slavery in the United States. In 2015, the museum celebrated its 40th birthday. It changed its name to the Amherstburg Freedom Museum to highlight its strong connection to people who bravely sought freedom.
Nazrey A.M.E. Church: A Place of Freedom
The Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church was built by hand in 1848. Former slaves and free Black people used fieldstones to construct it. These builders were part of a church group that started in 1826. The AME church group was first created in the United States in the early 1800s. Free Black people in Philadelphia started it as the first independent Black church group in that country.
Church members helped other people escaping slavery from the United States. They used the church as a safe stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network of routes and safe houses. The church was connected to Bishop Willis Nazery. He was the first leader of the British Methodist Episcopal Church. This church group was entirely Canadian and showed the loyalty of the people who had found a new home in Canada. In December 1998, the church was named a National Historic Site of Canada. The building was fixed up and reopened in 2001. It is now an important part of the museum complex.
What Can You Do at the Museum?
Today, people from all over the world can visit the Amherstburg Freedom Museum. You can explore the main museum, the Taylor Log Cabin, and the Nazrey A.M.E. Church. Both the cabin and the church are buildings from the time of the Underground Railroad, before the American Civil War.
The museum also hosts special events throughout the year. These include:
- Programs for Black History Month
- "Ribs & Ragtime"
- The Emancipation Celebration and Charity Golf Classic
- "Christmas at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum"
Museum Connections
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum works with several important organizations:
