The Buxton National Historic Site and Museum has received a rare distinction that only one other site in Canada holds.
The historic site in North Buxton has officially been accepted into the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom through the U.S. National Park Service. This designation places Buxton in an international network of more than 800 sites committed to recognizing and preserving Underground Railroad history.
Curator Michelle Robbins said Buxton is only the second site in Canada to be added to the network.
“It’s a great network of resources and individuals and black historic sites to be connected with,” said Robbins. “We will be listed, our website will be listed, [and] Chatham-Kent will be listed. Not only did we get recognized, but our entire community gets recognition as well.”
She said it’s an amazing feeling for Buxton to be recognized.
“It’s definitely an honour for descendants who still reside here, [who] are still connected to the community,” she said. “We’re very proud to have this piece of southwestern Ontario connected to the U.S. Park Service, which is huge because a lot of history in the United States is being erased… we want to continue to preserve our history here and continue to talk about Black history and Canadian history, as well.”
Founded in 1849 as the Elgin Settlement, Buxton became one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad, where freedom seekers could own land, attend school, build community, and live free. The site is currently home to the Buxton Museum, along with three historic structures —the 1852 Colbert-Henderson Log Cabin, the 1853 Abraham Dora Shadd Barn, and the 1861 S.S. #13 Buxton Schoolhouse.
Robbins said a plaque will be installed in Buxton at a later date to commemorate the site’s inclusion in the Network to Freedom.
