It's important to recognize the history that took place right in your own backyard.
That's the message from the executive director of the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society as the municipality kicks off Black History Month.
Samantha Meredith says there's a presentation for kids at the Chatham Public Library at 10:30am on Friday.
"I'll be reading the story Henry's Freedom Box -- it's the kids' version of the Henry 'Box' Brown Story," says Meredith. "Then we have a portable shipment crate... kids can try it out and see the size of the box that Henry shipped himself to freedom in."
Meredith says it's important to share these kinds of stories with kids while they're young in order to teach them about the history of the place where they're growing up.
"Chatham, Dresden, Buxton -- they were all stops along the Underground Railroad," says Meredith. "I think kids don't realize that these types of things happened right in their own backyard and that's kind of what we want to show them."
Meredith says they'll also be unveiling a new Black History display inside the WISH Centre on February 18 that will recognize some local "firsts."
"Pictures or small artifacts that will commemorate some of the firsts or notables of Chatham," says Meredith. "The first black police officer, fireman, school teacher, alderman, some people who worked in the hospital -- those kinds of things."
You can find more details about how the local Black Historical Society will be recognizing Black History Month by clicking here.
