“Christmas at the Museum” spreads holiday cheer

Music Ministry of New Life Fellowship perform at "Christmas at the Museum" Dec. 7 inside the Nazrey AME Church. The Amherstburg Freedom Museum also welcomed the Tanner-Price Singers as part of the annual event.

An event that has become a cherished tradition to its organizers helped spread holiday cheer on the weekend.

“Christmas at the Museum” was presented by the Amherstburg Freedom Museum last Sunday afternoon. The day included a performance by The Tanner-Price Singers, who are based out of the Tanner-Price African Methodist Church in Windsor, a church that dates back to 1852.

Also performing was the Music Ministry of New Life Fellowship. They are from the New Life Fellowship Church, formerly known as Harrison Memorial, also from Windsor.

“Events like this allow us to share our mission while highlighting the incredible gifts and talents of Black artists and entertainers in our community,” said Amherstburg Freedom Museum board member Cari-Lynn Ristic. “For nearly five decades, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum has been a vital part of Essex County, dedicated to telling the African-Canadian story and celebrating our contributions to the broader mission.”

Ristic added the afternoon’s program “beautifully reflects that mission.” She also thanked museum curator/administrator Mary-Katherine Whelan and interim assistant curator Irene Moore Davis for their efforts in helping organize the concert while gratitude was also extended to the silent auction donors.

“Finally, a heartfelt thank you to you, our audience,” Ristic told the audience in the Nazrey AME Church. “Your support and engagement make everything possible. Because of you, we are able to preserve and share the stories of African-Canadians, inspiring visitors from across the globe through our exhibits, artifacts and cultural programming.”

Amherstburg Freedom Museum board chair Monty Logan pointed out the museum is getting close to wrapping up a milestone year.

The Tanner-Price singers perform as part of “Christmas at the Museum” Dec. 7 at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum.

“As the Amherstburg Freedom Museum draws its 50^th anniversary to a close, we reflect on the remarkable journey that has brought us here. What Mac and Betty Simpson began in 1975 created a place where people like me could find hope, dignity, and purpose, ensuring our history would no longer go untold,” said Logan. “For this extraordinary vision, we owe our founders our deepest gratitude.”

Logan added when he was a youth, the history of African-Canadians was not reflected in history books. He added ancestors fought and overcame significant challenges so people like him could experience true freedom and celebrate events like Christmas at the Museum.

The museum has grown this year, he added.

“We have expanded our digital presence, solidified our stability by sustaining full-time staff and tripled our academic scholarships,” said Logan. “We were also honoured to celebrate the designation of King St. as ‘Mac Simpson Way.’”

Logan also thanked museum staff, the 50^th anniversary fundraising committee, donors, sponsors and all those “who made this year shine.”

“Without you, we’re not here,” he said, about the community.

The museum is still selling 50^th anniversary commemorative coins, he added, and they sell for $25 each or $100 for five.

For more information on the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, call 519-736-5433 or visit www.amherstburgfreedom.org. 

“Christmas at the Museum” spreads holiday cheer

By Ron Giofu