Underground Railroad Monument
In 1999, a committe was formed to establish a monument on Windsor's riverfront, commemorating the significant role that the people of the area played in the Underground Railroad movement. The committee decided the Underground Railroad Monument should celebrate the Windsor/Detroit connection of the Underground Railroad heritage.
It was decided that two monuments would be erected to represent the final stop on the Underground Railroad. Located in Hart Plaza, the Detroit monument depicts the "Gateway to Freedom." It features a bronze sculpture of six slaves awaiting transport to Canada. The sculpture acknowledges the participation of numerous people of Detroit in the Underground Railroad movement.
The Winsor sculpture depicts the arrival of fleeing slavesin Canada and their emotions upon reaching a land of freedom. The north side of the monolith shows a young girl holding a doll, who is looking back across the Detroit River. On the south side, two women with a baby stand beside a man who has his arms lifted in praise. The sculpture stnds on a 10 x 10 base, which will become home to the newly worded bronze history plaque. The plaque will hold the names of places of significance, as well as names of local citizens who supported the Underground Railroad movement. The "Flame of Freedom" and a bronze Canadian flag will also rest on the base - a touching tribute to the flight for freedom.
We, as Canadians, must remember our roots, our history and our past in order to understand how we came to be a great nation and move successfully into the future.
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a slave? Well now you can experience the trip of an escaped slave. You will start in 1850 Maryland, where you are owned by a farmer. You yearn for freedom. Make the same choices fleeing slaves had to make on their way to Canada, as NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC takes you for a ride on the FREEDOM TRAIN. Your life will be changed forever. It is an awesome experience. Be sure to allow the page to load, then enter the site under the swinging lantern. I would love to hear your reaction to the trip in the discussion area. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/featur...
Website of the Month
Celebrating Black History Month Event
Resources:
National Library of Canada
Ontario Heritage Foundation
Parks Canada
City of Toronto Heritage
Ontario Black History Society (This society was reponsible for initiating the first celebration of Black History Month in Canada)
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