- 40,000 slaves made it to freedom
- 29 historic sites to visit
- 01 North Star that showed slaves the way
Head to southwestern Ontario to hear the stories of triumph from the ancestors of African American slaves. Learn about the underground railroad that carried passengers along an intricate route of houses from slavery to freedom. Stop in Windsor, Puce, Chatham and Buxton and visit the museums, monuments and people who help to frame the story.
Come to understand the life of a slave on the run. Follow the same North Star. Look out into the Historic Walkway and imagine the dogs and the bounty hunters. Step inside the churches that offered safety. Sing the songs that saved lives. Stop and understand your place in it all. Step into the southern Ontario cabin of a former slave. Celebrate those of all races who risked it all for freedom.
- Wander grassroots museums dedicated to telling individual stories.
- Read out loud from "Uncle Tom’s Cabin", that commemorates the life of Rev. Josiah Henson who contributed to the abolition movement and the Underground Railroad.
- Savour an “Erie soul” themed dinner.
- At night, look for the North Star high above Lake Erie; get an idea of how they depended on it for guidance.
- Visit other Ontario Black History sites like the Tower of Freedom monument and the Grey Roots museum to help round out the history.
Weather
- Southwestern Ontario experiences all four seasons. Winter months are coldest and have the most snowfall in January and February. Summers are warmest in July and August.
- Discover local weather information. Research local weather patterns at Environment Canada's Canadian Climate Website.
- Book a tour.
- Take a road trip into some of the areas most connected to the Underground Railroad.
- Sites are open year round but consider a visit during February (Black History Month) when additional programming is usually scheduled.
It is possible to do a self-guided tour of the underground railroad sites.
- To access the Underground Railroad monuments you'll want to travel by organized tour or car.
- There is bus service from stops in the United States and across Canada.
- You can fly into one of two airports: Toronto's Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) in downtown Toronto. Car rentals and taxi hires are available at both airports and throughout the city.
