|
The story of the Underground Railroad is the stuff of courage and compassion, heroes and history.
From the 1820s to the 1860s, African American refugees worked with a secret network of supporters in order to escape to Canada. They arrived by the thousands. They came to Canadian communities from Halifax to Victoria, with the largest numbers arriving in what is now southwestern Ontario. In a new place, the refugees built a new home and helped lay the foundations of a new country.
The places and names resonate with our heritage as a society Salem Chapel, the Buxton Settlement, Mary Ann Shadd, Josiah Henson, Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, and Harriet Tubman. The system of National Historic Sites of Canada preserves and honours the memory of these special places and these special people.As Canadians, we must cherish the diverse and inspiring stories of the history of our nation. The heritage of Canada connects us to our past, connects us to our future and connects us to each other.
|
