After finding the potholes and having our picnic lunch at Inglis Falls, we headed downstream into Owen Sound to Harrison Park, in my mind one of the nicest municipal parks in Ontario. And one of our most interesting and memorable historic monuments is found along the banks of the Sydenham River in the park.
This is the Black History Cairn in Harrison Park, every element of it symbolic of the Underground Railroad and the route to freedom it offered to black slaves, and specifically the black community in Owen Sound, which is considered the northern terminus of the 'Underground Railroad'.
Quilts are said to have been an important means of communication along the route followed by slaves. Hung over fences, or on clotheslines, the different patterns held different messages, directing slaves to safe houses or safe routes. They're a key feature of the cairn.
The 'church' windows are symbolic of the local community and the importance of the church in their lives. As well this monument includes a number of boulders in the walls that were sent from U.S. States or Ontario places along the route. Note the tiny black labels on some of the rocks above.
The upper of these boulders came from the City of St. Catherines, Ontario, on the route around the east end of Lake Erie, while the lower boulder came from the State of Delaware.
This rock came from the State of Maryland.
The cairn sits along the banks of the Sydenham River in Owen Sound, where the black community holds its annual Emancipation Festival, this year on Aug. 2nd. Believe it or not, this was the 152nd annual picnic!
Looking upstream in the direction of Inglis Falls. There are several other sites associated with early black settlers in the 'Queen's Bush', including some near the Beaver Valley. I think I need to explore them a little and tell you about them too.
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That's a very interesting memorial. Thanks for explaining all the components.
ReplyDeleteThe Underground Railroad , I have read a book about this, maybe The Patchwork Path, or " Hidden in Plain View", wonderful reading, and the memorial is testament to the women who stitched, and in doing so, saved many lives. Lovely stone walls and plaques, Cheers,Jean.
ReplyDeleteVery nice memorial -and area... Loved seeing your pictures of Inglis Falls --and reading about the 'potholes' was amazing... Thanks for sharing such a great area with SO much history.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
That's a good-looking and interesting memorial set in what looks some fine scenery. Thanks for your explanations which added so much to my understanding and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteLots of history and beautiful scenery!
ReplyDeleteA fascinating monument. The story of the Underground Railroad coming to an end in Ontario fascinates me, has so many ties to history on both sides of the border.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! That's a beautiful monument to freedom's triumph and a reminder of Canada's role in assisting that.
ReplyDeleteI love the design with the half built wall, open window and ground tile. It's meaningful and beautiful. http://www.looseleafnotes.com/2014/08/let-the-style-games-begin/
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that the quilts had meanings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post and so very interesting! A great monument to freedom's triumph it is indeed and the reminder of Canada's role in assisting!! Thank you so very much for this post!!
ReplyDeleteReading your blog I learn things about our area. I am familiar with Harrison Park but not with the memorial. I will have to look for it. Thank you for mentioning it.
ReplyDeleteThe cairn is toward the north end of the park, along the river and beyond the playground from the parking.
DeleteWhat an interesting post.
ReplyDeleteFascinating memorial. There are several houses in this area that hae hidden rooms or areas where escaping slaves were temporarily hidden and an old road named Freedom Road that was part of their route north to freedom. Canada deserves our gratitude for providing a haven for the escapees.
ReplyDeleteA great way to remember those dark times. Thank you for taking us there.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post. iIdidn't know that quilts were used in that way.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a Black History Cairn in Owen Sound. Interesting about the quilts being used as trail markers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, so for sharing this bit of information. Beautiful captures of so much symbolism.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that quilts were used to direct the way. You've got me wanting to learn more about the Underground Railroad and the communities where the people ended settling in. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTake 25 to Hollister
I love that memorial. I have heard about the messages in quilts, but don't know what the patterns symbolized. Wonder if there is a book about them.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this one! What a beautiful memorial. I've done a lot of research for my time participating in Blues in the Schools, too. Great post.
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