February is Black History Month, and Haldimand Museums and Heritage Haldimand have partnered to present an online historical telling of black freedom seekers who came to Canfield via the Underground Railroad more than 150 years ago.

The online presentation is researched and narrated by well-known local historian Sylvia Weaver, who has been working to share and recognize this important history for years, including through the installation of a Black Settlement Marker and Memorial Plaque in Canfield Park in 2017.

This rich history explored in the presentation is little known to many but tells the story of the village of Canfield, whose residents welcomed slaves fleeing from the United States through the Underground Railroad and worked with the newcomers to build a vibrant community.

Through photos and historical documents, the presentation focuses on the personal stories of the freedom seekers, the significance of the Underground Railroad, the development of the Black community in Canfield and the lives of its families.

Haldimand Museums staff have also prepared an Education Package with reading materials and resources to encourage educators and learners of all ages to better understand this meaningful local history.

All materials will be available for viewing on February 10, 2021, on Haldimand County Heritage & Culture page: HaldimandCounty.ca/heritage-culture.

For more information about Haldimand County’s heritage programming or support materials, please contact Haldimand Museums.

Pictured below (L to R): Donna Ford, President of the Central Ontario Network for Black History and Sylvia Weaver, historian and member of Heritage Haldimand during the 2017 black settlement market and memorial plaque unveiling.