HAMILTON, ON – July 20, 2005 – Celebrate Emancipation Day at the picturesque Griffin House on Monday, August 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring this fascinating preserved early nineteenth century home, set on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful Dundas Valley and its story of early African Canadian settlers. What better location to learn more about Emancipation Day, established in honour of the abolition of slavery by the British Empire on August 1, 1834.
Join guest speaker Maxine Carter under the shade trees as she shares readings about Emancipation Day celebrations in Hamilton more than 150 years ago. Ms. Carter is an Executive member of the Black History Committee of Hamilton and past co-Chair of the Rev. J.C. Holland Awards.
The Griffin House is located at 733 Mineral Springs Road in Ancaster with parking at the Works Office lot, Hamilton Conservation Authority, 838 Mineral Springs Road. The site is managed jointly by the Conservation Authority and Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum, City of Hamilton. For details please call Fieldcote at 905 648-8144.
Black History Exhibit at Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum: Explore the progress of African Canadians from emancipation to the present day, and their contributions to Canadian society. The exhibition “…and still I rise: A History of African Canadian Workers in Ontario” explores the rich legacy of Ontario’s black community. Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum will be hosting this acclaimed traveling display, originally developed by the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, from June 5 until Labour Day weekend, 2005.
Four exhibit cases, designed to look like train coaches, span the twentieth-century, with topics ranging from “Challenges to Freedom: 1900 to World War II” to the reflective “Legacy of African Canadians.” In the process a sense of the diversity and lasting impact of Blacks on the development of Canada and its identity emerges. “Life Tracks - Journeys…Lives Lived and Living Still”, highlights faces and stories of our own black community pre-twentieth century and today. Explore little-known stories of Ancaster and beyond, for example, did you know that Sam Tisdale was an abolitionist, or that two black conventions were held in Ancaster?
Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum is located at 64 Sulphur Springs Road in Ancaster and is open to the public Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-5pm. For more information please call 905-648-8144.
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Media Contact:
Lois M. Corey, Curator 905-648-8144