The campaign to fix the roof of an Amherstburg landmark is getting a boost from the province.
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum is receiving a $45,000 Ontario 150 grant to fix the church roof and make other improvements to the black history museum. The grant was officially announced Saturday at the museum's annual meeting.
“I'm thrilled to join board members and patrons of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum in celebration of this important Trillium grant. Our region’s significance in the struggle for freedom and the abolition of slavery is an important part of our history," said Essex MPP Taras Natyshak in a statement. "The families who sought refuge and found a new life in Amherstburg and Essex County contributed to our shared prosperity and cultural identity as Canadians.”
In addition to repairing the roof of the church, money from the grant will be used to expand and make improvements to the courtyard, and include what will be called a Free Little Library, which will provide reading material on black history to the community.
"This grant is great news for our museum and Amherstburg," said museum board president Monty Logan in a statement. "It has assisted us in replacing the roof on our historic church and enhancing the courtyard so that we can continue to share the history and heritage of our site for many years to come."
The museum includes the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church, a National Historic Site of Canada. The site offers visitors a resource on the accomplishments and contributions made by Canada's black community, as well as provide a glimpse into the Underground Railroad and its effect on Amherstburg.For more information on the museum, click here.
