Freedom Walk 2026 concludes at Amherstburg Freedom Museum

Anthony Cohen made the Amherstburg Freedom Museum the final stop on his Walk to Freedom, much as he did 30 years ago. He was accompanied by Wesley Wofford’s “The Journey to Freedom” sculpture this time.

Anthony Cohen walked an Underground Railroad route to Canada three decades ago and has done so again.

Cohen completed his first Freedom Walk 30 years ago, stemming from a university paper he wrote that he put into practice. He walked from Maryland, starting about 20 miles northeast of the White House, to Amherstburg and was welcomed at the museum.

Now, in 2026, Cohen retraced the same route and did so starting May 4. He arrived at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum last Saturday (July 11) with this year’s walk also including the “The Journey to Freedom” sculpture that was created by his friend, American artist Wesley Wofford.

The 2,400 pound, nine-foot high sculpture arrived Saturday morning on a flatbed trailer. The sculpture represents the “ceaseless struggle for freedom and will serve as a focal point for participants to reflect, engage and unite.”

Freedom Walk 2026 is “designed to commemorate brave freedom-seekers and self-liberators, abolitionists, and their secret networks,” pointed out museum assistant curator Irene Moore Davis.

After going through five U.S. states, Cohen said the walk was timed to cross into Canada from New York on Canada Day. He travelled by foot, boat and rail, using many methods of transport used by original freedom seekers. He crossed at Niagara Falls.

Cohen said a difference between this year from 1996, he had a team to help him plan the trip and arrange for stops along the way. He visited museums, churches, schools and community centres along the way.

Believing Black history is “under attack,” the Maryland resident decided to do the walk again this year. He discovered it was the 30^th anniversary of his original walk after planning for this year’s walk already started.

“People came from all over to create the American tapestry,” he said.

Cohen takes a selfie with people that listened to his talk.

Cohen added people know more about the Underground Railroad in 2026, recalling that 30 years ago, there were people he spoke to that actually thought it was a railway that ran underground.

“People know more about history now than 30 years ago,” said Cohen. “People are more in touch with the past.”

The further people get from their past, the more they are interested in it, Cohen is finding.

“The Underground Railroad has come up a few notches the history pecking order,” said Cohen.

“The Journey to Freedom” sculpture had been mothballed in the U.S. because of funding cuts to groups and museums or fear by organizations they would face repercussions. When Cohen decided to do his walk again, he spoke with Wofford and they agreed the sculpture would be included on the walk. 

Canadians have been very welcoming, he added, as they “have left the door open and kept the light on in our time of need.”

Cari-Lynn Ristic, a museum board member, said they always welcome opportunities to display their history as a people.

Moore Davis added she first say the “Journey to Freedom” sculpture the night before at Sandwich First Baptist Church in Windsor and described it as “a very powerful” experience. 

“It was like staring into the face of an ancestor,” said Moore Davis.

Cohen and the sculpture were at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum in Lakeshore last Friday before going to Windsor, and then to Amherstburg.

The event at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum was drop-in style, with tours, history highlights, a culminating presentation by Cohen as he completed the final stop of his tour through Ontario. There was also the Canadian premiere of the 30-minute film “Camp Delaware” as well as a panel discussion featuring filmmakers Francine and Mark Butler. The film pertains to an African American Civil War regiment. Moore Davis pointed out the content has a deep connection to Harriet Tubman’s own courageous roles in the Civil War as well as the participation of others connected to our museum, such as formerly enslaved Civil War veteran George Taylor, whose “Taylor Log Cabin” is a key part of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum complex.

Freedom Walk 2026 concludes at Amherstburg Freedom Museum

By Ron Giofu