John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum

John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum Our unique Historic Site promotes mutual respect through the preservation of Underground Railroad History & a true love story that broke racial barriers

At our museum our mission is to promote mutual respect and reconciliation. It is our belief that the Underground Railroad was the first great freedom movement in the Americas; it was the first time that good people black and white of different races and faiths worked together in harmony for freedom and for justice. Our museum was the final destination point of John and Jane’s journey along the Und

erground Railroad from Rockingham County North Carolina to Freedom. John and Jane are the catalysts of our family story. Their love story, and courage transcended the very barriers of their time and culture. Jane King Walls was the wife of John’s slave Master Daniel Walls. Despite the times, Daniel and John became best friends. On Daniels death bed, he entrusted his wife and children to the care of John. Eventually John and Jane fell in love, as the story of their struggle forms the basis of the book the Road that Led to Somewhere by Dr. Bryan E Walls

There is nothing quite like watching young people discover that history belongs to them too. ❤️One of the many great joy...
07/16/2026

There is nothing quite like watching young people discover that history belongs to them too. ❤️

One of the many great joys of was sharing this experience with the incredible
Black Kids in Action Theatrical Summer Youth Camp students.

From the moment they arrived, they were curious, engaged, respectful, and eager to learn. They listened intently, asked thoughtful questions, and embraced every opportunity to connect with the stories of those who courageously pursued freedom.

One of the most moving moments of the day came at the close of the program, when they recreated a live tableau inspired by the Journey to Freedom sculpture, standing behind Leslie McCurdy as Harriet Tubman. It was more than a photograph. It was a beautiful picture of history being carried forward by the next generation.

This is why we do what we do.

History isn't meant to stay in museums. It is meant to live in hearts, spark conversations, shape character, and inspire young people to understand the shoulders upon which they stand.

To every student, thank you for showing such maturity, kindness, and enthusiasm throughout the day. You represented Black Kids in Action so beautifully, and you gave all of us hope for the future.

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing BKIA leaders, counselors, families, and everyone who invests in these young people every day. Your work is making a lasting difference, and we are so grateful that you chose to spend the day with us.

The future is bright because these young leaders are already walking in it. 💛


Black Kids in Action

Artist Highlight! 🎭✨️👏🏽There are some people who don't simply tell history... they allow you to feel it.What an absolute...
07/14/2026

Artist Highlight! 🎭✨️👏🏽

There are some people who don't simply tell history... they allow you to feel it.

What an absolute privilege it was to welcome the incomparable Leslie McCurdy to the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum as she brought Harriet Tubman to life once again. Leslie would grace this same stage with her performances for our annual gospel concerts with Mrs. Rosa Parks in attendance. It was a please to have her back.

Leslie doesn't perform Harriet Tubman; she honors her. Every word, every pause, every expression carries such reverence that, for a moment, the years disappear and you find yourself listening as though Harriet herself is sharing her journey.

Thank you, Leslie, for sharing your extraordinary gift with our community. Your artistry has a way of awakening history, inviting us not just to remember the past, but to carry it with us.

We are so grateful you were part of our
celebration ❤️

At the close of yesterday's event, I stole a quiet moment to simply take it all in. I looked up at the brilliant blue sk...
07/11/2026

At the close of yesterday's event, I stole a quiet moment to simply take it all in. I looked up at the brilliant blue sky, and as my gaze slowly fell to John and Jane Walls' 1846 log cabin standing beside the Journey to Freedom sculpture, I felt overwhelmed with joy.

It felt like I was standing at the very intersection where faith met fulfillment.

The sculpture captures the unimaginable courage it took to run toward freedom, while the little log cabin quietly declares, "They made it."

It reminds us that freedom wasn't the end of their story, it was the beginning. Side by side, they told one beautiful story: the courage to run, the courage to start over with nothing, the courage to build a home, raise a family, and leave behind a legacy that nearly 180 years later is still changing lives.

One line from Leslie McCurdy's portrayal of Harriet Tubman has echoed in my heart ever since. She said that getting to freedom felt lonely... and then you had to build from nothing. Whew. That sentence hit me differently as I looked over at the cabin. Because there it was the "after."
The answer to what came next!

John and Jane built from nothing.
They built that cabin.
They built a family.
They built community.
They built hope.

Standing there, you realize the cabin isn't just a building... it's proof that freedom was worth the journey, and worth every step taken by those great men & women who have gone before us!

It is an absolute pleasure to steward this legacy!

With Love,
Brittany Walls-Miles
Museum Curator

To learn more... book a tour today by sending us a message ✨️

OR to donate to the preservation of this legacy please do so through our federally registered charity portal...
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/proverbs-heritage-organization/

What a day. ❤️Our hearts are absolutely full as we reflect on the incredible success of our Tony Cohen's stop at the J...
07/11/2026

What a day. ❤️

Our hearts are absolutely full as we reflect on the incredible success of our Tony Cohen's stop at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum.

To Tony Cohen and the entire Freedom Walk team, thank you. Your lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing the stories of the Underground Railroad continues to inspire communities across North America. It was a true honor to welcome you back to our historic site. You truly follow in the footsteps of great men and women who have gone before!

One of the most meaningful moments of the day was recreating a piece of history. During Tony's first visit to our museum in 1998, my father, Dr. Bryan Walls, presented him with a Canadian flag on our stage. Nearly three decades later, we had the privilege of presenting him with another Canadian flag and recreating that very photograph. It was a beautiful full circle moment that none of us will soon forget.

A heartfelt thank you to the phenomenal Leslie McCurdy, whose powerful portrayal of Harriet Tubman moved and inspired us all. Your gift for bringing history to life is extraordinary.

To our wonderful Black Kids in Action Summer Theatre Camp students, you made us so proud. Your attentiveness, enthusiasm, respect, and beautiful tableau honoring the Journey to Freedom sculpture reminded us exactly why this work matters. You are carrying this legacy forward.

Thank you to Member of Parliament Kathy Borrelli and her representatives for taking the time to join us and recognize the importance of preserving Black history in our community. Your presence meant so much.

To Lakeshore News and the many community members, friends, partners, and supporters who joined us, thank you for choosing to remember with us. History is kept alive when people gather, listen, and share these stories together.

A very special thank you goes to our incredible volunteers and our outstanding Canada Summer Jobs students. Your hard work behind the scenes made this event possible, and you represented our organization with excellence. We are so grateful for each of you.

Days like today remind us that storytelling and remembering are sacred acts. We don't preserve history simply to look back. We preserve it so that each generation may walk forward with greater understanding, courage, and hope.

Thank you, everyone, for making this a day we'll remember for years to come. ❤️

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The countdown is on! We are looking forward to welcoming our community to the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Undergr...
07/03/2026

The countdown is on!

We are looking forward to welcoming our community to the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum on Friday, July 10 for this incredible stop on the journey.

We've put together the schedule of events for the day so you can plan your visit. Whether you're joining us for the guided tour, the special ceremony, Leslie McCurdy's inspiring performance, or simply to meet historian Tony Cohen and see the traveling Harriet Tubman "Journey to Freedom" sculpture, we'd love to have you with us.

Come celebrate history, freedom, and community with us.

See you on July 10!

Free Event - Donations Welcome

06/24/2026

IT'S TRADITION! 👋🏽

We've been sending new friends of the Historic Site off with a wave and a full heart for generations!

I have stood in that grass and waved goodbye with tears in my eyes and giggles of excitement since I was 3yrs old.

Just as John & Jane said goodbye to those passing through the property as a terminal of the UGRR so do we send our newly titled "Conductors" off equipped with what they need to spread harmony, joy & light in the world!!

This year's Footsteps to Freedom groups leave us overflowing with joy. Welcome to the family!

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

We love you!

New Faces & Friends of The Historic Site!What a week it has been here at the museum! We made 150 new friends on the Foot...
06/24/2026

New Faces & Friends of The Historic Site!

What a week it has been here at the museum!

We made 150 new friends on the Footsteps to Freedom Tour! A school field trip
& about 8 family groups!

THANK YOU from the Walls Family for forwarding our legacy and mission of Equal Sisterhood & Brotherhood of Humankind 🙌🏽☀️🫶🏽✌🏽

🎭 A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 🎭We are absolutely thrilled to share that acclaimed actress, playwright, and storyteller ...
06/11/2026

🎭 A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 🎭

We are absolutely thrilled to share that acclaimed actress, playwright, and storyteller Leslie McCurdy will be joining us on July 10th at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum!

As part of this extraordinary day, Leslie will present a special excerpt from her internationally celebrated one-woman play:

✨ The Spirit of Harriet Tubman ✨

For nearly three decades, Leslie has captivated audiences by bringing Harriet Tubman's story to life through powerful storytelling, embodying the courage, faith, determination, and unwavering conviction of one of history's greatest freedom fighters.

With little more than a trunk of costumes and an empty stage, Leslie transports audiences into Harriet's world, sharing a story of resilience, hope, sacrifice, and the pursuit of freedom that continues to inspire generations.

This moving performance has been called:

⭐ "Brilliant!" ⭐ "A powerful, must-see performance!" ⭐ "Something to be experienced by everyone!"

Imagine experiencing this powerful portrayal on authentic Underground Railroad ground, alongside historian Tony Cohen, the traveling Harriet Tubman statue, and the remarkable stories of freedom preserved at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site.

This is more than an event.

It is a chance to walk alongside history.

📅 Friday, July 10, 2026 ⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM 📍 John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum 859 Puce Road, Lakeshore, Ontario

🎟 FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
Registration is optional...
https://square.link/u/w18ndENE⁠

Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring the next generation.

Let's celebrate freedom together.

:::

Join us ⭐️ July 10, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m for a powerful FREE event filled with history, remembrance, and in...
06/11/2026

Join us ⭐️ July 10, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m for a powerful FREE event filled with history, remembrance, and inspiration.

Walk in the footsteps of freedom as we experience the power of art, history, and community coming together through .

Historian Tony Cohen is traveling 750 miles along Underground Railroad routes as part of an 8-week commemoration retracing the journey to freedom in the footsteps of 19th-century self-liberators. We are honored that the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum will be one of the stops along this remarkable journey.

Accompanying the Freedom Walk is the powerful bronze Journey to Freedom sculpture, designed in 2019 by artist Wesley Wofford. The sculpture depicts Harriet Tubman on a harrowing rescue mission and serves as a moving tribute to her courage and leadership.

Meet Tony Cohen and enjoy a special performance by Leslie McCurdy in "The Spirit of Harriet Tubman".

Free admission. All are welcome. No registration required.

If you'd like to receive event updates and help us gauge attendance, you may optionally register here:
https://square.link/u/w18ndENE

Learn more about Tony Cohen &
https://www.menare.org/freedomwalk2026

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Address

859 Puce Road
Lakeshore, ON
N8M2X7

Telephone

( 519) 727-6555

Website

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