Caretakers of our Culture proudly presents the 5th Josiah’s Journey to Freedom

This is an annual cross-border historical commemoration dedicated to preserving the legacy of Josiah Henson and the freedom seekers who escaped slavery in the United States and established new lives in Canada. On October 28, 1830, Josiah Henson, a formerly enslaved man who would become one of Canada’s most influential Black historical figures, arrived in Canada with his family, in pursuit of freedom.

In honor of this historic anniversary, participants will gather in Buffalo, NY for Josiah’s Journey to Freedom, to walk across the Peace Bridge to Fort Erie, Ontario, as a way to remind us that emancipation is both a historical achievement and an ongoing responsibility to future generations. From the observances of International Underground Railroad Month in September to Josiah’s Journey to Freedom in October, the mission remains the same: to preserve our history, honor our ancestors, educate future generations and inspire the ongoing pursuit of self-emancipation.

It is a great honor to have Saladin Quanaah Allah, a direct descendant of Josiah Henson, joining us as always, serving as a “Conductor” and maintaining a living connection to our great ancestor. His participation strengthens the connection between historical remembrance and the generations who continue to preserve and share this important legacy.

Wayne Redekop, the Mayor of Fort Erie and members of the African-Canadian community will greet us once we make it across the bridge and arrive at Freedom Park, Canada. A tour of Fort Erie will also take place with a freedom feast, to honor Josiah’s Journey to Freedom, provided for purchase.

Because this is a reenactment of an actual escape to freedom, we will not provide a starting place or time until you contact us by calling Dewitt Lee III 716 349-7809 or message us on social media Instagram/facebook: @ josiahsjourneytofreedom

It is recommended you dress as if you are going on a hike; we will walk on trails, rocks, and sandy shores.

JOSIAH HENSON: THE REAL-LIFE FREEDOM SEEKER WHO HELPED INSPIRE UNCLE TOM’S CABIN

Born into slavery in Maryland in 1789, Josiah Henson endured more than four decades of enslavement before escaping with his family to Upper Canada in 1830. His extraordinary life eventually became connected to one of the most influential books in American history, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

In 1849, three years before the publication of Stowe’s novel, Henson published his autobiography, The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself. His autobiography documented the brutality of slavery, the separation of enslaved families, his religious faith, his determination to secure freedom and his eventual escape to Canada.

Published in 1852, Uncle Tom’s Cabin written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, exposed millions of readers to the cruelty and moral injustice of American slavery. The novel became an international bestseller, helped intensify abolitionist sentiment and contributed to the growing national debate over slavery in the years preceding the American Civil War.

To commemorate this year’s Josiah’s Journey to Freedom, a copy of a 1st edition of Uncle Tom’s Cabin will be on display during our info session on October 27th between 5 pm- 7 pm inside the Grosvenor Room Rare Book section at The Central Library of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library system at 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY.

For more info, contact Caretakers of our Culture founder Dewitt Lee III 716 349-7809 or message on social media Instagram/facebook: @ josiahsjourneytofreedom