February is Black History Month, and there are a number of local events taking place to celebrate.
Samantha Meredith is the executive director of the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society, and says despite the area’s history as a terminus of the Underground Railroad, there’s still lots to learn.
“I find most of our visitors here usually come from the United States…they’re taught that kind of history in their schooling, whereas in Canada we touch on the Underground Railroad and slavery in grade 5 and 6,” Meredith says. “It’s important to keep celebrating black history because the men and women of Chatham, Buxton, Dresden, and all the other little small communities that had a high black population historically are the men and women who helped build such important parts of our cities and our community.”
The Chatham-Kent Public Library is teaming up with the local Black Historical Society for Tuesday movies throughout the month, including films like 12 Years a Slave and Amistad.
The Black Mecca Museum will be at the Chatham Library on February 8th talking about the first female African-American pilot, Elizabeth Coleman.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is hosting a family fun day on February 17th, and the Buxton Museum will be honoring the month with a kids event on February 22nd.
You can read more on the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society website.
