Amherstburg Freedom Museum: Preserving the Journey to Freedom
Amherstburg • Essex County • Southwestern Ontario
Standing on the banks of the Detroit River, Amherstburg was once the final destination for thousands of freedom seekers escaping slavery in the United States. For those who crossed the river into Upper Canada during the 19th century, these shores represented something many had never known—freedom.
Today, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum preserves those powerful stories, ensuring that the courage, resilience, and contributions of Black Canadians remain an enduring part of Ontario’s history
Visitor Experience
📍 Location 277 King Street, Amherstburg, Ontario
📅 Best Season Year-round
⏰ Hours Hours vary seasonally
💲 Admission Admission • Adult $7.50 • Seniors and Students $6.50
♿ Accessibility Accessible entrance and visitor facilities
🅿️🚻 Amenities Parking • Gift Shop • Washrooms • Guided Tours
🕒 Recommended Time 1.5–2.5 hours
🌐 Website amherstburgfreedom.org
What You Need to Know
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum tells the story of the Underground Railroad and the thousands of African Americans who escaped enslavement by making the dangerous journey across the Detroit River into Canada.
The museum’s campus includes the historic Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, built in 1848, one of the oldest surviving Black churches in Ontario. Through exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and personal stories, visitors gain a deeper understanding of both the hardships endured by freedom seekers and the vibrant Black communities they helped establish in southwestern Ontario.
Guided tours provide valuable insight into the remarkable individuals whose determination helped shape Canadian history.
Why This Place Matters
History is often remembered through battles and political leaders.
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum reminds us that history is also shaped by ordinary people making extraordinary decisions.
Between the early 1800s and the American Civil War, thousands of men, women, and children risked everything to escape slavery. For many, the Detroit River became the final obstacle before reaching freedom in Canada.
Amherstburg quickly developed into one of the country’s most significant Black settlements. Families established homes, churches, schools, businesses, and farms, contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of Ontario.
The museum preserves these stories not only to remember the past but to inspire conversations about courage, equality, resilience, and human dignity.
Fun Fact: The historic Nazrey AME Church, now part of the museum, was built in 1848 by members of Amherstburg’s Black community and continues to stand as one of Ontario’s oldest surviving Black places of worship.
