John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum

04/09/2026

What a truly unforgettable evening. ✨

The John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum family is overflowing with pride as we celebrate Dr. Bryan E. Walls receiving the 2026 Alumni Award of Merit from the University of Windsor.

As a proud University of Windsor alumnus, Class of 1969, Dr. Walls has carried forward a lifelong commitment to leadership, education, truth, and community impact. To see him honoured by the institution that helped shape part of his journey was a deeply moving and full-circle moment for all of us.

To the University of Windsor, thank you from the depths of our hearts for this extraordinary recognition. Thank you for celebrating Dr. Walls’ life’s work and for continuing the tradition of uplifting distinguished alumni whose impact reaches far beyond campus walls.

This honour also beautifully carries forward the legacy of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum, strengthening the story we are entrusted to preserve and share. It is through moments like these that the legacy continues to move forward, reaching new generations, deepening community connection, and ensuring that this history remains living, active, and remembered.

To our family, cherished friends, supporters, and community members who came out to celebrate alongside us, thank you. Your presence, encouragement, and love made the evening even more meaningful. Seeing so many familiar faces there to honour this milestone was truly special.

Dr. Walls powerfully closed his remarks with the words of the great Sir Winston Churchill:
“Never, never, never give up. Never surrender.”

A sentence that so beautifully captures the heart of this journey, and the continued calling to move forward in our mission of spreading love, truth, and mutual respect.

Last night was a beautiful reminder of the power of legacy, education, and community.

We are so proud.
So grateful.
And deeply humbled.

Congratulations, Dr. Bryan E. Walls.
What a wonderful and well-deserved honour 🤍

03/18/2026

✨ A Legacy Honoured ✨

We are filled with deep pride and gratitude to share that Dr. Bryan E. Walls, founder of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum, is being recognized with the Alumni Award of Merit at the 2026 Alumni Awards of Excellence at the University of Windsor.

This prestigious award, the University’s highest alumni honour, celebrates a lifetime of impact, leadership, and service.
University of Windsor

Dr. Walls’ life work has been nothing short of transformational. A scholar, historian, author, and humanitarian, he has dedicated decades to preserving and elevating African Canadian history—especially the powerful legacy of Underground Railroad descendants right here in our region.

From founding the museum in 1989…
To sharing our family’s story through The
Road That Led to Somewhere,
To receiving national honours including the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario…
His work has ensured that history is not forgotten...but felt, lived, and carried forward.

This moment is not just about recognition…
It is about legacy. It is about truth. It is about freedom.

Dr. Walls has spent a lifetime reminding the world that “the railroad doesn’t just run through history… it runs through us.”
Let’s celebrate him together 👏🏽

👉🏽 MUST REGISTER to attend:
https://www.uwindsor.ca/alumni/2026-alumni-awards-excellence

01/24/2026

As we near Black History Month I am proud to reshare this meaningful moment from the Walls Museum were history comes alive and the legacy of courage, resilience, and freedom continues to inspire unity & solitude.

It is deeply heartwarming to stand beside community partners with shared vision.

Thank you to everyone who supports our mission! 🙌🏽

09/22/2025

✨ Exciting News! ✨

Our very own Brittany Walls-Miles, Co-Curator of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum, will be traveling to Boston to speak at Endicott College’s Tadler Center for the Humanities.

Brittany’s lecture, “The Pieces of Me,” is a heartfelt storytelling experience that weaves together the family’s legacy of the Underground Railroad, her own lived journey, and the ongoing story of freedom, identity, and resilience. Through music, soundscapes, and powerful reflection, she will invite audiences to step into history — and discover how these stories still live in us today.

We are also grateful to the Tadler Center for the Humanities and Encicott College for helping us hold and give space to this important legacy of hope and love.

Visit this link,
https://www.endicott.edu/academics/centers-institutes/tadler-center-for-the-humanities

We are so proud to see Brittany carry the legacy of John & Jane Walls and the voices of the Underground Railroad to new audiences. 💛

09/14/2025

We were honored to host the The Hour-A-Day Study Club here at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site.

For us, here at the Walls Museum partnerships are more than collaboration—they are partnerships with purpose!! Together, we are building bridges, preserving legacies, and creating impact that lasts far beyond today

The Hour-A Day Study Club, is one of the longest running, non-profit, female driven organizations in Canada. Established in 1934, The Hour-A-Day Study Club provides African-Canadian youth, that are descendants of the Underground Railroad, with scholarship funds to help finance their post-secondary education. 🌿

Thirteen scholarships and bursaries, totaling $30,000, were awarded to descendants of the Underground Railroad—many directly connected to John Freeman Walls. What a powerful way to see legacy and learning come together on these historic grounds.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and thank you to the Hour-A-Day Study Club for continuing to inspire future generations.

08/16/2025

🎉 Sponsor Spotlight: Schinkels Meat Market 🎉

We’re thrilled to welcome Schinkels Meat Market as an official sponsor of The Sounds of Freedom 🎶 happening Friday, August 23rd at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site!

Thanks to their generous donation of high-quality meats, guests can look forward to a delicious BBQ as part of our celebration.

Schinkels Meat Market meats have been a staple on the Walls Family table for year. From fresh daily cuts like chicken breast, sausage, and lean ground beef to premium steaks and signature stuffed pork chops, Schinkels has long been a trusted name in Windsor-Essex for quality and flavour. 🥩🔥

Come enjoy the tastes of summer, soulful live music, and a celebration of heritage and freedom — all made even better thanks to Schinkels’ incredible community support.

🎟️ Grab your tickets today: https://square.link/u/Lzsio2s7

🧡 Thank you, Schinkels, for helping us make this day unforgettable. We hope to see you at the concert enjoying the amazing BBQ you helped make possible!

Schinkels' Meat Market, Essex

https://share.google/3MD8qGNN0JSkZepI7

08/11/2025

🎤✨ Feature Announcement! ✨🎤

We are excited to announce that
The City Church Windsor Worship Team
will be joining us at this year’s Sounds of Freedom Gospel Concert! 🙌🏾

They’re bringing a spirit-filled set you won’t want to miss. This talented team is ready to lift the roof in praise as we celebrate faith, freedom, and our shared heritage. ❤️🖤💚

📅 Saturday, August 23
📍859 Puce Rd. John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum
🎟 Tickets: https://square.link/u/Lzsio2s7

Come prepared to clap, sing, and be moved as the City Church Windsor Worship Team leads us in soul rising worship.

08/06/2025

🎶🔥We’re beyond excited to welcome the International Gospel Center Worship Team 🎶🔥

to this year’s Sounds of Freedom Gospel Concert! 🙌

🎟️ Bring your crew. Bring your praise.
https://square.link/u/Lzsio2s7

This dynamic team of 10 anointed singers backed by a 4-piece live band is coming with one mission: to lift up the name of Jesus and shake the atmosphere with pure, powerful praise.

🎤 Expect rich harmonies, heart-stirring worship, and music that will move your soul. Whether you come to shout, sway, or simply soak it all in — this moment will be unforgettable.

🗓️ Saturday, August 23, 2025
📍 859 Puce. Rd. N8M 2X7
John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum

08/06/2025

✨️ARTIST HIGHLIGHT✨️

🎤 Get Ready for JCAL at
The Sounds of Freedom Gospel Concert & Fundraiser !

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome JCAL, an electrifying Christian rapper, for our upcoming Gospel Concert & Fundraiser at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site! Known for connecting faith-filled truth with powerful beats and lyrics, his music uplifts, inspires, and resonates deeply with every generation.

Check out this sneak peek of his track Rise Up
to see why JCAL’s message is making waves in Christian hip-hop: reliable, real, and rooted in purpose. Then imagine that energy live on stage at our museum grounds…

GRAB YOUR TICKETS HERE 🎟
https://square.link/u/Lzsio2s7

https://youtu.be/n-58hVW5szE?si=smKz6dnYIv2UImsS

08/06/2025

🌻 Summer Update from the John Freeman Walls Historic Site 🌻

As summer winds down, we're shifting into
“by appointment only” mode for tours of the museum.

Our small but mighty family-run team is preparing for our biggest event of the year

— The Sound of Freedom Gospel Concert & Fundraiser — https://square.link/u/Lzsio2s7

and our incredible summer staff is heading back to their school-year rhythms.

But don’t worry — we’re still opening our gates for private tours whenever history is calling and tour is required. 👣✨

Whether you’re a solo guest, a family, or a group looking to walk the path of freedom and learn the story of John & Jane Walls and the Underground Railroad, we’d love to host you.

📩 To book your private tour, just send us a message here on Facebook
or
email us: [email protected]

Thank you for being part of this living legacy.

Let’s keep preserving history, one story at a time.

08/01/2025

We’re honoured to share this beautiful CBC feature leading up to Emancipation Day — a powerful moment for our family and for the legacy of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Underground Railroad Museum.

In this special segment, you’ll hear from Dr. Bryan Walls, our founder and my father, as well as from myself, Brittany Walls, as we reflect on our family’s journey from slavery to freedom, and the responsibility of carrying this sacred history forward.

It was filmed and shared by none other than our cousin, CBC’s Justin Escoto — a seventh generation descendant of John Freeman and Jane Walls.

Our story is Canada’s story — and we invite you to witness it below!!

To support this powerful legacy please
Click here...
👉 https://share.google/JwcNqdgDoRv8U7njH

Click here to attend our Gospel Concert & Fundraiser August 23rd.
👉 https://square.link/u/Lzsio2s7

📍Puće, Ontario
🎥 CBC Emancipation Day Feature
📲 Watch here: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6852654

The John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum in Puce, Ont., tells the story of a man who escaped slavery and found a new life in Canada. The museum was founded in 1989 by Dr. Bryan Walls, a descendent of Freeman Walls and his wife, Jane King Walls. Walls' daughter, Brittany W...