The Underground Railroad in Canada

Welcome to Next Stop Freedom! An exhibit on the story of the Underground Railroad.

This exhibit focuses on the urban settlement aspect of the Underground Railroad story, as seen through the eyes of Deborah Brown, a woman who fled slavery in Maryland with her husband Perry in the mid 1800s. This exhibit presents the story of the secret network of activists and abolitionists who helped thousands of enslaved African Americans escape from the southern United States and come to Canada where they could live as free men and women. It was neither underground nor a railroad, yet this story speaks volumes about the innate desire to be free.

The story of Deborah Brown's journey north to freedom is presented in an experiential theatre. It is not an exhibit per se, but a multimedia show which includes sound, video, special lighting effects, music, theatrical sets and artifacts. This presentation will take you through Deborah's journey and you will learn about her life in Toronto in the 1850s and 1860s. It will take you back to an exciting chapter of Canadian history.

The exhibit was at the Royal Ontario Museum until March 2003. As of May 1, 2003, it will be at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto, Ontario.

Planning a visit: For details on hours of operation, fees directions, group and school visits see: Black Creek Pioneer Village.

For Web-based Educational Resources: Click Here.

This exhibit was created by Parks Canada in cooperation with the Ontario Black History Society and the Royal Ontario Museum.