Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum

Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum will continue to promote the Chatham-Kent areas most important and prominent Black histories.

The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history of Chatham-Kent’s Black Community and their influence across North America. Located inside the JG Taylor Community Centre - also known as the WISH Centre:

The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum, a Non-Profit Organization is dedicated to the preser

vation and promotion of the history of Chatham-Kent’s Black Community and their influence across North America. Our organization aims to educate the residents of Chatham-Kent and visitors from a round the globe about the legacy left by the early Black pioneers and refugees who helped to build the city. Walking tours are available of the historically Black neighbourhood of Chatham, weather permitting.

⭐Summer 2026 RecapAs summer students, we’ve been very busy and have had many amazing experiences this season! From bus l...
08/28/2026

⭐Summer 2026 Recap

As summer students, we’ve been very busy and have had many amazing experiences this season! From bus loads to duos, we’ve really enjoyed giving tours to all of our visitors! We’ve also had many research requests, which have allowed us to dive deeper into our archives and learn much more about Chatham’s Black history. Furthermore, every Wednesday, we’ve had the opportunity to partner with the WISH Centre to educate camp kids through fun activities and interactive lessons! Of course, it goes without saying that we can’t forget how we experienced the Freedom Walk 2026 programming and got to see the Journey To Freedom Statue.

We’ve really enjoyed our summer with the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum and we’ve appreciated the opportunity to contribute to this organization’s cause!

Signing off 🎬…

Summer Staff

🗞️ Extra! Extra! Read all about it!Take a look at this excerpt from Canada News published on May 14th, 1938 and written ...
08/24/2026

🗞️ Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Take a look at this excerpt from Canada News published on May 14th, 1938 and written by Bethune Binga. As seen below, at this time, it was regular for life updates to be published in newspapers!

Let us know if you recognize any of these names!

We were lucky enough to have been visited by the Buxton Heritage Camp this past Tuesday! We had an amazing time teaching...
08/21/2026

We were lucky enough to have been visited by the Buxton Heritage Camp this past Tuesday! We had an amazing time teaching them about Chatham’s Black history and culture through a lesson, a scavenger hunt, and making sculptures like Artis Lane! It is always a privilege to see the youth of today and witness their enthusiasm for history! ✨

💭 Community Memories…Today, we would like to share one of Ms. Dorothy’s community memories! Every year, parks around Cha...
08/18/2026

💭 Community Memories…

Today, we would like to share one of Ms. Dorothy’s community memories! Every year, parks around Chatham would compete in park parades. The parks’ community members would prepare floats and costumes before showcasing them in a big parade along King Street. Ms. Dorothy recalls representing the J.G. Taylor Park and Community Centre in the parade photographed below. Interestingly, the flowers on the truck and costumes worn by the children in the photos were all hand-made with paper mache!

Evelyn Wright was a beloved community member in Chatham who is remembered by many for being supportive of and heavily involved with the local children. She can be seen in the fourth image. Unfortunately, this is the only photo that we have of Evelyn Wright in our archives.

We would appreciate it if anyone could share any photos or memories from these park parades or of Evelyn Wright! Additionally, let us know if you recognize any of the children in this parade!

🗞️ Extra! Extra! Read all about it!Take a look at this newspaper excerpt from The Kent Advertiser that was published in ...
08/17/2026

🗞️ Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Take a look at this newspaper excerpt from The Kent Advertiser that was published in 1850. This clipping reports on the Fugitive Slaves Act of 1850 which was passed in the United States as well as some of its effects on the Black community.

Come back next Monday to see another newspaper clipping from our archives!

Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born on August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. Being the founder of the Universal Negro Imp...
08/17/2026

Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born on August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. Being the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Marcus Garvey supported Black self-sufficiency and encouraged the Black community to strive forward in the face of adversity. In doing so, he also supported the Back to Africa movement and established the Black Star Line, a steamship corporation that strengthened the Black economy. Marcus Garvey’s efforts inspired many civil rights activists who came after him and his name will continue to be remembered.

Happy birthday to him! 🎉

Fun Fact: Marcus Garvey is featured on Jamaican currency.

Here are a couple of things that we find kinda chic at the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum. ...
08/12/2026

Here are a couple of things that we find kinda chic at the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum.

08/11/2026

On Sunday, we had the amazing opportunity to set up a booth at the Lost Arts Festival in Windsor, Ontario! Thank you to the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area team for including us in this fun day of historical activities and demonstrations!

08/10/2026

This Emancipation Month, take time to explore the history in our own backyard.

📍Buxton National Historic Site & Museum
Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum
Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History

Address

177 King Street East
Chatham, ON
N7M3N1

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

519-352-3565

Website

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