When I get to Harrison Park I always like to pay my respects at the Black History Cairn, and I figured I didn't need more new pictures because I did have many in my files from past visits. Sadly, though I have hunted for several days, I've been unable to find those old pictures. Luckily I did find one earlier post from which I could copy these photos.
The memorial combines the image of a church with the two stone walls and the window frames, along with the patio squares including several quilt tiles. Quilts were a main symbol for the underground railroad.
Each of these quilt symbols had a meaning, and quilts hung outdoors were used as messages signalling safe houses or the route for escaping slaves.
The windows themselves echoed the windows found in the first small black church in Owen Sound, widely considered the end of the underground railroad in Ontario.
Rocks used in the stone walls came from a number of U.S. states.
And there are a number of interpretive plaques that explain all this. The Black community gathers for an Emancipation Picnic here on Aug. 1st, the date slavery was abolished in the British Empire. This year was the 160th anniversary!
These are wonderful commemorative plaques. I especially loved looking at the quilts, and the "swing low sweet chariot" one made me tear up. Thank you for sharing these. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is a great symbol! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing this. The way the monument was created is so good. I like the partial walls and windows that gives it the feel of the church.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that quilts were used as signals along the railroad. What a wonderful monument that is.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful concept for a memorial.
ReplyDeleteThat is thoughtfully and beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you payed the pictures again. I do remember seeing and loving the church wall and windows. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePosted not payed. Duh, my typing!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to those who sought safety here in Canada. I wasn't aware the quilts were used as signals.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see this memorial, and your close-ups of tiles depicting quilt designs was heart warming. So many lives depended on simple messages that were posted in that way.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, I did a Google search to read the meanings of the quilts...what a great bit of History!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Great monument, although the Underground Railroad came through this area and there are a number of houses that had "safe rooms" where escapees could hide from slave-catchers I don't know of anything that could be said to officially acknowledge that. The closest we come is a road which was part of the route and a hill named for an escaped slave who lived nearby, a woman who came to be widely respected.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like how this memorial was constructed. So much history, so many memories, and so much happiness and sadness all are gathered here in one place..
ReplyDeleteInteresting and beautiful. I liked seeing this post.
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