Black History in Ontario’s Southwest

It is important to learn about the history of our area. The good, the bad, and the inspiring. Learning about Black history is important for every single person in Ontario’s Southwest during Black History Month, on Emancipation Day, and on every other day of the year too. You need to know about the history before you can build a better future.

Black history museum

Black History Museums in Ontario’s Southwest

Ontario’s Southwest was the gateway into Canada for many freedom seekers via the Underground Railroad. As a result, we have many historical landmarks, settlements, and museums with vast resources available to those wanting to learn about Canadian Black History.

Learn about the underground railway in Chatham-Kent and the history of the Black community of Buxton at Buxton National Historic Site and Museum. Visit the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum and learn more about the thriving business, education, medicine, sport and literary and cultural arts of the black settlement in the area and the Chatham Coloured All-Stars baseball team.

As of September 29, 2025, CKBHS & Black Mecca Museum is currently open for virtual tours only until further notice. Take a virtual tour here.

Then, take a trip to the Josiah Henson Museum of African Canadian History and hear the true story of Josiah Henson. This historic site was previously named Uncle Tom's Cabin. Click here to learn why the name was changed.

In Essex County, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum tells the local story of African Canadians’ history and contributions. The John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum meet descendants of the Underground Railroad as you take an interactive trip back in time.

In London, Ontario, Fanshawe Pioneer Village is home to the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Originally built in 1848 on Thames Street, this was the first Black church in the community, serving as a place of worship and a safe haven for freedom seekers arriving via the Underground Railroad. Relocated and restored in 2014, it now stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Black community in London.

Otterville AME church and cemetery

The importance of AME churches in Ontario extends beyond London. In Otterville, located in Oxford County, Otterville African Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery was established in 1856 by Black settlers, many of whom had fled persecution in the United States and were supported by local Quakers beginning in 1829. The Otterville church and burial ground served the Black community until the late 1880s, and today the cemetery remains one of the few preserved Black pioneer burial grounds in Ontario. It is a powerful reminder of the contributions and lives of early Black settlers in Oxford County and across Southwestern Ontario.

Many of these locations require pre-booking so be sure to contact them ahead of time.

Black history museum

Learn Virtually from Anywhere

Go on a Virtual Tour

Doors Open Ontario is a free online resource that provides virtual resources and tours of three Chatham-Kent Black heritage sites:

Consider donating to any museums with free virtual tours as your donations help them directly preserve and further share this important history.

Watch a Documentary

Follow along as Canadian journalist Brandy Yanchyk, host of Seeing Canada, explores Southwestern Ontario where she learns about the Underground Railroad at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum and Josiah Henson Museum of African Canadian History. If the trailer has you keen to learn more, click here to watch the full episode.

Follow Black History Museums on Social Media

You should also engage with these museums on social media. They often post additional information about local Black history and will keep you in the loop on upcoming events and learning opportunities. Click the links below to be directed to their social media.

Take a Trip Through Time 610 by 400

Take a Road Trip Through Time

Here are a few road trip routes to Black heritage sites in Ontario’s Southwest:

You can take a drive to visit all the historical plaques with information about Black history across Ontario’s Southwest. Click here for a map that was created using information from Ontario Heritage Trust, Haldimand County, and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.

Historical Plaques in Ontario’s Southwest:
- Canfield Marker and plaque
- Ontario Heritage Trust:

Ontario’s Southwest Experienced by Black Creators

There’s no better way to discover the impact history has had on Black people than by reading and watching first-hand accounts of their experiences.

You can follow along with Cameron’s adventure in A Trip to Chatham-Kent: A Lesson in Black History – My Education Is Missing, where he shares his first-hand experience uncovering the deep-rooted Black History in Chatham-Kent.

You can also check out the VLOG by Eden Hagos, showcasing her experience exploring Windsor and Chatham-Kent. During her trip, she got to try the diverse food scene and take a deep dive into the many ways this area has shaped Canadian Black History.

How do I book the tours, accommodations, or activities mentioned in this article?

To book any of the experiences, dining reservations, or accommodations listed in this guide, please follow the links provided throughout the article to visit each individual operator's official website. Please note that Ontario's Southwest is a regional tourism organization and does not process bookings or reservations directly

When is the best time of year to try this itinerary?

While learning about Black history is important every day of the year, this educational itinerary can be experienced in any season due to its heavy focus on indoor museums, virtual options, and driving tours. However, spring through autumn is the best window if you plan to visit in person. Many outdoor sites, pioneer structures (like the AME Church at Fanshawe Pioneer Village), and historic pioneer cemeteries (like the one in Otterville) are much easier to access and navigate when there is no snow. For indoor museums, hours can fluctuate seasonally, so always check individual websites before planning a trip.

Is this itinerary pet-friendly?

This itinerary is generally not ideal for pets, as it focuses extensively on historical preservation sites, museums, and indoor galleries. Standard pets are not permitted inside landmarks like the Buxton National Historic Site, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, or the Josiah Henson Museum of African Canadian History. Leashed pets may accompany you if you are simply doing a self-guided driving tour to view the region’s outdoor historical plaques or visiting the exterior of open-air sites, but essential service animals are the only animals permitted inside the buildings.

How accessible are the stops featured in this itinerary?

Accessibility varies significantly across these historic locations. Modern facilities like the Amherstburg Freedom Museum and the virtual tour options for the Black Mecca Museum provide excellent, barrier-free access. However, because many stops include carefully preserved 19th-century buildings—such as the historic log cabins, the relocated AME Church at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, or the unpaved grounds of older pioneer cemeteries—visitors using mobility devices or strollers may encounter uneven terrain, gravel pathways, or small steps at entryways. We highly recommend visiting the official websites linked in the article or contacting the individual historic sites directly to confirm their specific accommodations.

How can I respectfully visit or support Black pioneer cemeteries and historic sites?

When visiting preserved historical spaces like pioneer burial grounds or open-air heritage structures, it is important to practice respectful tourism. Stay on marked paths, avoid touching or disturbing fragile headstones, and follow all posted guidelines. If you are exploring these sites virtually or using digital road maps, consider making a direct financial donation to the local historical societies or volunteer museum boards. These non-profit organizations rely heavily on donations to fund the continuous restoration and preservation of these crucial Canadian landmarks.

Why is Southwestern Ontario so uniquely significant to Black history in Canada?

Due to its geographical location right across the border from Michigan and Ohio, Southwestern Ontario served as the primary gateway into Canada for thousands of freedom seekers via the Underground Railroad. It became the birthplace of several independent Black settlements, churches, and schools established by individuals fleeing enslavement and persecution in the United States. The region represents a massive chapter in Canadian history where African Canadians successfully built communities, established thriving businesses, and laid down deep roots.