Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History

“It has been spread abroad that ‘Uncle Tom' is coming, and that is what has brought you here. Now allow me to say that my name is not Tom, and never was Tom, and that I do not want to have any other name inserted in the newspapers for me than my own. My name is Josiah Henson, always was, and always will be.” Josiah Henson, Glasgow, Scotland, 1877 (from Uncle Tom’s Story of His Life)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site has changed its name.

In recent years, the Trust has conducted a focused review of its properties and programming. New research and the openness to diverse perspectives help to broaden our understanding of Ontario’s heritage, including the evolution of terminology.

The Trust recognizes the power of words in conveying emotions, values and memories. The term "Uncle Tom" carries several destructive stereotypes and harmful connotations that diminish and detract from Josiah Henson’s significant contributions to African-Canadian heritage and the broader Black community.

The term “Uncle Tom” is used in social media, television, movies and literature as a means of insulting and demeaning a person of Black heritage. It implies that a person of African descent is a traitor to their race and, as such, the phrase is perceived as pejorative and harmful, despite Harriet Beecher Stowe’s intentions in the creation of her literary character. To continue to use this term in association with Josiah Henson does a disservice to his legacy. Henson worked with energy and vision to improve life for the Black community in Ontario. By remembering him as Uncle Tom has, in some ways, diminished his status and accomplishments.

From its inception as a small Ontario tourist attraction in the 1940s to its status as a hub for Black recognition and accomplishment, the museum property and programming has continually evolved. Join us on this ongoing journey to freedom!

Here, you can better understand the evolution of the museum and its close association with the term “Uncle Tom.”

Stowe's Uncle Tom

Uncle Tom is the protagonist of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Her portrayal of Tom was that of a stoic, noble character who humanized the suffering and hardships of enslaved people of African descent for its readers. In Stowe’s novel, the Tom character is presented as a virtuous figure, guided by his religious conviction of non-violence. Tom exhibits compassion and empathy despite the cruel treatment of his enslavers. He is portrayed as a leader and protector of those with whom he is enslaved, caring for them when they are injured or ill, and offering spiritual guidance to those whose own resolve weakens under the oppressive institution of slavery.

The trials that Tom endures throughout the novel are a testament to Stowe’s original vision for a sympathetic Black character that would bring attention to the mistreatment and dehumanization of enslaved people of African descent. Although Stowe's intent was to portray Tom as a symbol of strength, goodness and leadership, the negative connotation associated with Uncle Tom quickly shifted the way that he was perceived.

Becoming Uncle Tom

Henson's autobiography – The Life of Josiah Henson, formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself – was published in 1849. When southern plantation owners accused Harriet Beecher Stowe of misrepresenting slavery in her novel, she published, in 1853, Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Presenting the Original Facts and Documents upon Which the Story Is Founded, Together with Corroborative Statements Verifying the Truth. It was here that Stowe quoted extensively from Henson’s autobiography in the defence of her novel.

Henson's autobiography was expanded and republished in 1858 under the title Truth Stranger Than Fiction: Father Henson's Story of His Own Life. This edition contained a foreword by Harriet Beecher Stowe, which reinforced the public’s perception of Henson as the model for the character of Uncle Tom in her novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Henson rose to international prominence after Harriet Beecher Stowe acknowledged his memoirs as a source for her novel.

The Rise of Uncle Tom-ism

Minstrel shows developed in the United States in the 19th century as a form of stage entertainment but were popular across Canada and Europe as well. They showcased negative racial stereotypes with white performers putting on black face (darkening their skin with burnt cork or shoe polish) and performing racist songs, dances and comedy routines. Read more about the history of black face and minstrel shows in Canada.

Following the release of Harriet Beecher Stowe‘s internationally bestselling novel, minstrel show versions of Uncle Tom’s Cabin began popping up throughout North America and Europe as a response to the anger and embarrassment caused by Stowe’s depiction of plantation slavery.

These “anti-Tom” shows saw the central character of Tom transformed from that of a saintly figure to a fawning, docile and self-loathing yes-man, known for singing, dancing and smiling despite his dire circumstances. These performances sought to obscure the violence and inhumanity of the institution of slavery. “Tom shows” played for over 80 years before they finally died out in the 1930s, but their harmful legacy remains to this day.

Now, the term is used as an insult. It references a person of African descent who is considered a traitor to their race by seeking approval and attention from white people.

Preserving Henson's legacy

The house in which Josiah Henson spent the latter days of his life was first opened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1948 by then-property owner William Chapple, who named it “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The house was later sold to Jack Thomson, who moved the structure and two other period buildings to their present location in 1964 with the goal of starting a museum. Thomson named the museum “Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Museum” after the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly by Harriet Beecher Stowe, in which the character Tom was loosely based on the life of Josiah Henson.

In 1984, the site was sold to the County of Kent who transferred it to the St. Clair Parks Commission in 1992. In 1993 and 1994, the historical site underwent extensive upgrades and restoration of the three period structures, and the Josiah Henson Interpretive Centre was built, followed by a rededication ceremony in 1995. The site was renamed Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site at this time. The property and buildings were transferred to the Ontario Heritage Trust in 2005.

Although discussions of a name change have happened since the early 1990s, the St. Clair Parks Commission, which managed the site at that time, in consultation with the Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site Advisory Board, felt that the museum had a positive association with visitors from around the world who had studied the anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. More recently, the Trust has attempted to reclaim the phrase as it aligns with the anti-slavery movement and the fight against slavery. Through greater understanding of Canada’s role in systemic anti-Black racism, it is recognized that it is necessary to carve a path forward that is more equitable and just and it is the time to revisit the name “Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site.”

Reclaiming Josiah Henson

Approaching his 80th birthday , Josiah Henson reflected on his life from a pulpit in Glasgow, Scotland as part of his tour of the United Kingdom. Once again, he was introduced to the thousands in attendance through his association with Stowe’s literary creation. It was his desire, however, to be acknowledged for his life’s remarkable achievements – as a conductor of the Underground Railroad and a force in the abolition movement, as an educator and co-founder of the British American Institute, as the author of his memoirs, which put Canada on the map as a safe haven for refugees from slavery, and as a preacher, husband and father.

The Ontario Heritage Trust strives to ensure that the heritage we protect and the stories we tell are respectful, accurate and authentic representations of the peoples who have lived on this land.

Much like the stories of other Blacks and African Canadians who have been obscured over time, the achievements of Josiah Henson have also been diminished. Separating Henson’s identity from the literary character of Uncle Tom allows us to reclaim the legacy of his life’s work and acknowledge the importance of this work in building an anti-racist and inclusive Ontario.

Book your virtual guided tour of the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History today!

After escaping slavery in 1830, Josiah Henson, with the help of other abolitionists, sought ways to provide refugees with the education and skills needed to become self-sufficient in Upper Canada (now Ontario). In 1841, they purchased 121 hectares (300 acres) of land in present-day Dresden and established the British American Institute, one of the first schools in Canada to emphasize vocational training. The community of Dawn developed around the Institute. The stories of these freedom seekers and how they contributed to the establishment of a significant Black community in this part of the province is told at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.

Designed for educators, this 45-minute live tour of the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History brings the history of the Underground Railroad to life through artifacts, a walking tour of the historical buildings, interactive activities and incredible storytelling. A brief question-and-answer session will follow each tour.

An estimated 30,000 Black refugees from slavery in the United States fled to Canada along the silent tracks of the Underground Railroad – a network of people who aided these refugees as they followed the North Star to freedom. One of these freedom seekers was abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor and former slave Josiah Henson. He became known as Uncle Tom through his connection to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Josiah Henson’s story is told at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History in Dresden, Ontario. Your live-streaming experience incorporates a tour of the museum and two-hectare (five-acre) property, including the Interpretive Centre, three historical buildings – including the Josiah Henson House – a sawmill, two cemeteries and numerous artifacts that have been preserved as a legacy to those freedom seekers.

Topics discussed include:

• an overview of the trans-Atlantic slave trade
• slavery in Ontario
• a discussion on the life of Josiah Henson
• the Underground Railroad
• early Black settlements in Ontario

Book your live virtual guided tour today to meet a descendant of some of these courageous Underground Railroad freedom seekers and learn about the early Black presence in Ontario!

Note: For an optimal viewing experience, a stable internet connection capable of streaming high-definition videos on one or more devices is recommended.
You’ll be able to live-stream this tour using any standard web browser. For an optimal experience, we recommend that you use the latest version of your browser.
Portions of the tour discuss the harsh reality of slavery in a sensitive and honest manner and may not be suitable for all ages.

Duration of tour: 45 minutes
Maximum class size: 35 students
Minimum class size: 15 students
Note: Suitable for students in Grades 5 through 11

Black History Month

Black History Month is recognized throughout Canada, providing citizens an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Canadians of African descent.

The push for recognizing Black achievement began with American author and historian Carter G. Woodson who, in 1926, proposed an observance to honour the accomplishments of Black Americans. He called it Negro History Week, which was later renamed Black History Week. He chose the second week of February because it marks the birthdays of renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass and United States President Abraham Lincoln, who is credited with the abolition of American slavery. In 1976, it was changed to Black History Month in the United States.

Through the efforts of the Ontario Black History Society, the House of Commons in Canada officially recognized Black History Month in 1995 when The Honourable Jean Augustine – the first Black female member of Parliament – introduced the motion. It was unanimously adopted.

NOTE: Beyond the Underground Railroad: The living legacy of Mary Ann Shadd Cary (videos now available)

2023 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mary Ann Shadd Cary – a pioneer in publishing, education and law. Cary was the first Black woman newspaper publisher in Canada, established a racially integrated school for Black refugees in Windsor and, in 1883, she became one of the first Black women to complete a law degree in North America. Join the team behind the video series Beyond the Underground Railroad for an informative and educational discussion celebrating Cary’s remarkable life and legacy.

Beyond the Underground Railroad is an annual pre-recorded virtual discussion hosted by the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, Buxton National Historic Site & Museum and the Black Mecca Museum. Watch previous videos: Strategies for confronting anti-Black racism (2022) and Black History in Chatham-Kent (2021).

Emancipation Day

Many communities in Ontario began celebrating Emancipation Day after the Abolition of Slavery Act became law on August 1, 1834. The day was especially popular in places where freedom seekers from plantations in the United States settled – most notably Sandwich (now Windsor), Toronto, Hamilton and Owen Sound. And, of course, the Dawn Settlement in Dresden celebrated as well.

In the 19th century, Emancipation Day was an important expression of identity for the Black community and anti-slavery activists. It gave people the opportunity to celebrate the end of slavery in Canada and the British Empire with parades, music, food and dancing. The day also provided a vehicle to lobby for Black rights in Canada and the abolition of American slavery.

Emancipation Day continues in Ontario today. In 2010, Windsor marked its 175th Emancipation Day. The Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History has revived the spirit of emancipation and continues to celebrate Emancipation Day every year.