Celebrate Emancipation Day
at Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site
Was held on August 7, 2006
Emancipation Day Flyer (PDF)
The Honourable Lincoln Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust, welcomes you to join him for a day full of events and activities at Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site.
Emancipation Day commemorates the end of slavery in the British Empire. It is an important celebration of community, hope and freedom.
CELEBRATION OF THE SPIRITUAL Talented vocalists Brittany Walls and Arrealia Lewis will perform Negro spirituals at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
What influence did slavery have on jazz music? Grant and Brock VanDyke, great-great-great-great grandsons of Reverend Josiah Henson will make the musical connection through piano and flute at 12:30 p.m.
ESCAPE TO GLORY LAND Karolyn Smardz-Frost will share the riveting story of Lucie and Thornton Blackburn as recounted in her upcoming book, I’ve Got a Home in Glory Land. The Blackburns fled slavery in Kentucky and eventually settled in Toronto, and have been recognized by the Government of Canada as Persons of National Historic Significance for their important contribution to the growth of Toronto. 11 a.m.
FREEDOM PASS At 12:30 p.m., young people ages 10 to15 can participate in a fun and educational school program that explores the contributions of African-Americans and African-Canadians to our multicultural society.
BESTSELLING AUTHOR DR. AFUA COOPER PRESENTS Dr. Cooper will lecture on her latest novel, The Hanging of Angelique which chronicles the gripping and tragic story of the slave Marie-Joseph Angelique who was tortured and hanged for allegedly burning down a portion of the town of Montreal in 1734. 1 p.m.
ONE SURVIVED TO TELL THE TALE T.J. Brown, who will be portraying Osborne Anderson in the play Rainbows and Wings, by playwright Mike McDonald debuting at the Chatham Cultural Centre this fall, will entertain with a preview recitation from the play and a performance of Negro spirituals with his younger brother. Anderson, a free Black from Pennsylvania, moved to Chatham and joined abolitionist John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry. Anderson was the sole survivor of the failed raid. 1:30 p.m.
GRAND EXPERIMENT IN THE WILDERNESS The British American Institute came about as a result of Josiah Henson and his supporters. The Institute had a tremendous impact at Dawn and everywhere in Ontario. Adrienne Shadd will discuss the rise of the Institute, its goals, achievements and controversies. 2 p.m.
- African-Canadian cuisine
- Guided tours of new exhibit
- Free parking on site
- Special needs accessible
Reduced Event-Day Admission: Adults $5
Seniors $3
Children (age 6 to12) $3
Families $15
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site is located 29251 Uncle Tom’s Road in Dresden, Ontario.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site is owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust.
www.heritagetrust.on.ca
To view information in French, click here
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