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ABOUT THIS HISTORIC SITE
Mission
As an important Canadian historic site, Uncle Tom's Cabin will provide visitors with known facts and education on the life of fugitive slaves in the Dresden area. Focusing on the life of Josiah Henson, the site will demonstrate the growth in black people or any race through determination and perseverance.
Vision
Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site will be a living site representative of the Dawn Settlement. Tours and interpretive programs will allow our visitors to learn new, ever-changing facts on the life and accomplishments of Josiah Henson.
The Museum Complex
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site sits on 5 acres that were part of the original 200 acres of land purchased in 1841 to establish the Dawn Settlement.
The site includes:
The Josiah Henson Interpretive Centre which houses a collection of 19th century artifacts and rare books pertinent to the abolitionist era as well as other information regarding the Reverend Josiah Henson. Included are a rare early edition of Josiah's autobiography and a signed portrait of Queen Victoria presented to him in 1877.
The North Star Theatre which provides the venue for a video presentation.
The Underground Railroad Freedom Gallery provides extensive information on the history of enslaved people in the United States and the flight north to freedom, as well as the life and times of Josiah Henson.
The Gift Shop offers a wide selection of African art and souvenirs, as well as an extensive selection of books.
The Harris House is one of the oldest structures in the area where fugitive slaves sought refuge.
The Smokehouse housed in the trunk of a sycamore tree, was once used for curing and preserving meat.
The Sawmill represents one of the methods used to clear the land. Profits went to support the British American Institute.
The Josiah Henson House is the dwelling where Josiah Henson and his wife Nancy lived during the latter part of his life. The home was restored to the period circa 1850 in 1993-94.
The Pioneer Church, which dates back to 1850, contains the organ from the original church where Reverend Henson preached in Dresden, Ontario. His pulpit and his church’s sign can be found in the Underground Railroad Freedom Gallery.
The Henson Family Cemetery is located adjacent to the church. The Josiah Henson memorial stone and National Historic Plaque are located here. Across the road is the British American Institute burial ground where many gravestones of the settlement have been preserved.
Museum History
 The Henson house has been moved approximately three times, always on original Dawn Settlement property. An area farmer, William Chapple, first used it as a museum in the 1940's. The house was moved to the existing five-acre location in 1964 by J.D. Thomson to establish the "Uncle Tom's Cabin" Museum.
Kent County purchased the site buildings and artifacts in 1984. The county operated the site as a museum until 1991. In the following year, ownership of Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site was transferred from Kent County to the St. Clair Parkway Commission. At that time, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Recreation agreed to fund the redevelopment of the site and provided the Commission with $1.2 million for that purpose.
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