Niagara Bound Tours

11/01/2024

Did you know...
We have amazing sites throughout Ontario to learn about Black history.

10/28/2024

Josiah Henson known as the character used in the book Uncle Tom's Cabin certainly lived up to his words. Makes me proud to be a Black Canadian. Thank you Josiah Henson on the anniversary of your arrival into the country that would become Canada on this day, October 28, 1830. I also take this time to acknowledge Harriet Beecher Stowe. She was the woman that wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. It raised the consciousness of people around the world about slavery. More anti-slave protests, more abolitionists made themselves available to help during this tragic time.
As Josiah Henson was a wonderful, loving and faith based man so was Uncle Tom.

"It was the 28th of October, 1830, in the morning, when my feet first touched the Canada shore." "I felt streams of emotion running down in electric courses from head to foot. "Yes," said I; "I'll use my freedom well; I'll give my soul to God."" - Josiah Henson

10/24/2024

Did you know...

American Airlines honored Bessie Coleman’s 100-year legacy by featuring an all-Black female crew on a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Phoenix. This historic flight celebrated Coleman's pioneering spirit, the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license, and showcased 36 women in aviation roles. The airline’s dedication to diversifying the industry continues with its Cadet Academy and community outreach.

10/21/2024

Beautiful research day in Hudson Valley! Also had a chance to speak to the students about Black history in Niagara! Love what I do!

10/18/2024

So looking forward to attending this induction this year. The program they offer is always so informative! Join us if you can. If interested in Black history, this is where you want to be this weekend!

Saturday, October 19, 2024

4:00 pm Christopher Webber, San Francisco CA, will present a program on Dr. Smith during the Abolition Symposia
7:00 pm Induction Ceremonies

National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum
PO Box 55 5255 Pleasant Valley Road
Peterboro NY 13134
315.308.1890
www.PeterboroNY.org
www.NationalAbolitionHallofFameandMuseum
[email protected]

James McCune Smith Inducted to National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum
Dr. James Mc Cune Smith, the first black doctor with credentials in the United States, will be inducted into the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro NY on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Christopher Webber, of San Francisco, the nominator of Smith, will provide a program on Dr. Smith during the Abolition Symposia Saturday afternoon. Programs about fellow inductees Catharine White Coffin, Levi Coffin, and Leonard Andrew Grimes will also be presented in the afternoon.

James McClune Smith was born into slavery in New York City where his mother emancipated herself at the time of his birth. James was technically enslaved until New York State ended slavery in 1827. He received an excellent elementary education at Manhattan's African Free School but could go no further because of his color. Seeing Smith's potential, the Rector of his church raised the funds to send him to Scotland where he earned an AB, MA, and MD in five years. He returned to the United States in 1837 to begin his medical practice and to open the first black owned pharmacy. Smith was skilled in research and statistics and was able to support the abolition cause with hard facts. He challenged pseudoscientific justifications for the oppression of African Americans and false data presented by pro-slavery advocates. Smith was a prolific writer for the abolitionist movement, including being a regular columnist in "Frederick Douglass' Paper." He was a featured speaker and leader in various abolition gatherings. Smith was a friend and close associate of Frederick Douglass and Gerrit Smith, recruiting for the Timbuctoo lands in the Adirondacks. He defied the Fugitive Slave Act by sheltering and protecting freedom seekers in New York City. In 1855, Smith co-founded the in*******al Radical Abolitionist Party with Douglass, Smith, and John Brown, and was chosen to preside over its national convention in Syracuse. It was the first time a black American chaired a national political convention.

At 7:00 p.m. Friday October 18, Brian Frey, film maker from WSKG Public Television, will present North to Freedom, an original documentary on the role that Upstate New York played in the Underground Railroad in the years leading up to the American Civil War. After a 19th C. Antislavery dinner served by the Peterboro Methodist Church at 5 pm on Saturday, October 19, the induction ceremonies at 7 p.m. in the evening will include nominations, introductions of the sponsors, and unveiling the banners that will be installed in the Abolition Hall of Fame.

At 9 am Saturday morning October 19, Norman K. Dann PhD will guide a tour of the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark, and Sunday morning October 20 at 9 a.m., Tom Bennett, Chair of the NAHOF Induction Committee and a retired Social Studies teacher, will meet with folks at the Cazenovia Convention signs at 11 Sullivan Street, Cazenovia NY.

The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (NAHOF) is located at 5255 Pleasant Valley Road in Peterboro NY in the building of the inaugural meeting of the New York State Antislavery Society October 22, 1835. For information and registration: www.PeterboroNY.org 315.308.1890

10/17/2024

Besides having some of the most interesting Black history in North America, we also have one of the finest theatres in world. Right here in Niagara Canada. The Shaw Festival offers George Bernard Shaw plays and his contemporaries in its Niagara on the Lake location.
I am delighted to see that this gentleman who has performed on Broadway will be Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady. I saw his brilliant acting in Master and the Boys years ago. Hope to see you at the theatre. If you want to make a day of it with a tour, let me know!!

Allan Louis steps into the iconic role of Henry Higgins for the holiday season run of Lerner and Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY!⁠
⁠
An international stage, film and television actor, Allan has embodied iconic roles in a number of Shaw Festival productions. From Willie in the critically acclaimed production and tour of Athol Fugard’s “MASTER HAROLD” ... AND THE BOYS (2016). A seductive Dracula in Liz Lochhead's adaptation of Bram Stoker’s DRACULA (2017). An unforgettable Caesar in August Wilson’s GEM OF THE OCEAN (2022). The estranged husband and ailing musician Luke in James Baldwin's THE AMEN CORNER (2023). He has also appeared in ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS (2024), GYPSY (2023), THE DOCTOR'S DILEMMA (2022), OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR (2018), GRAND HOTEL (2018) and SAINT JOAN (2017). ⁠
⁠
We have all grown accustomed to his face, and are very eager to witness what he'll bring to this celebrated role.⁠

📷️ Michael Cooper Photography
⁠

10/17/2024

Did you know...
Not Black history but I found this interesting

When this photo of Colonel Sanders was taken in the 1970s he lived in this house at 1337 Melton Drive in Missisauga, Ontario. In fact he lived there from 1964-1980. Upon his death in 1980 the house (which he paid $22k for) was sold with two remaining iconic white suits left in a closet. Harland Sanders’ suits were primarily made by Walter Beauchamp Tailors at 145 Wellington St. West in Toronto for years.

10/13/2024

Did you know...

Aboriginal people of Australia
DNA confirms that the indigenous culture is one of the most ancient cultures on earth, they are from Africa.
The first Aboriginal genome sequence confirms that the indigenous people of Australia left Africa 75,OOO years ago. A genetic study has found that Aborigines are descendants of the first people who left Africa up to 75,OOO years ago, confirming that they may have the oldest continuous culture on the planet.
Indigenous Australians were the first modern humans to traverse an unknown region of Asia and Australia, says Professor Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen, who led the study. “It was a really amazing journey that required exceptional survival skills and courage,” he says. A century-old lock of hair, presented to an anthropologist by an Aboriginal man, has led to the discovery has the ancestors of Aboriginal Australians.
Credit goes to the owner

10/13/2024

Was so happy to read about the success of this event. I am proud to call them one of my original Black history colleague partners. If ever in the area, visiting the National Abolition Hall of Fame in Peterboro New York should be a part of everyone's tour of Central New York state.

10/10/2024

Did you know...
Long overdue. So happy that it is done! Yeah!

It’s time to drop the puck! The Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes is officially recognized as a national historic event! 🏒

Created in 1895 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHL) evolved from a small ice hockey league formed by African United Baptist Association leaders into a competitive all-Black Maritime hockey league.

During its 30-year existence, a total of 12 teams and hundreds of men played in the league. They entertained multiracial crowds and impressed mainstream journalists 📰 who reported on their fast and innovative brand of hockey.

This segregated league was the only one of its kind in Canadian history. It illustrates how African Canadian communities in the Maritimes fought for equality in sports and used hockey to advance social change in Canada.

Find your game legs by learning more about the CHL: https://parks.canada.ca/culture/designation/evenement-event/colored-hockey-league

And work your way to a historical hat trick by checking out the Breaking Racial Barriers in the NHL designation: https://parks.canada.ca/culture/designation/evenement-event/barrieres-raciales-racial-barriers

10/09/2024

Did you know...

10/05/2024

Did you know...
Looking forward to seeing this the next time I am in Cambridge, MD.

The Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center in Cambridge, MD has a new mural! It’s on the back of the building, just around the corner from the famous “Take My Hand” mural. It was painted by Michael Rosato, the artist who created “Take My Hand.” The new mural, “We Walk With Harriet,” represents the path that Tubman took on Christmas Day 1854, leading her three brothers and others to freedom through Poplar Neck to the Choptank River – all the way to St. Catherines in Ontario, Canada.
>> Learn more about the Tubman Museum (Stop #6 along the Tubman Byway): harriettubmanmuseumcenter.org
>> Learn more about the place shown in the mural, Choptank Landing (Stop #25 along the Tubman Byway) and the Underground Railroad: harriettubmanbyway.org/choptank-landing
>> Plan your road trip to Tubman Country at HarrietTubmanByway.org.

Photo courtesy Harriet Tubman Museum.

10/05/2024

Jasper is back! YEAH!

The day has arrived! We cannot wait for our beloved guests to once again pass through the legendary JPL welcome gates.

We're excited to create new and special memories in this magical mountain place, and sincerely thank you for being a part of our story. As you rediscover Jasper, we encourage you to embrace regenerative travel and stay mindful of the park's ever-evolving conditions.

Welcome home.
https://bit.ly/4dcQaDt

10/04/2024

Did you know...