New exhibit celebrates museum’s 50 years

Irene Moore Davis points to a photo taken the day the Amherstburg Freedom Museum opened.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that is certainly the case at the new exhibit at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum.

Entitled “A View from the Past, A Vision of the Future,” it is a historic look back on the museum’s 50 years.

“I think this exhibit will give folks a sense of how many people have been involved in creating and sustaining this museum,” said assistant curator Irene Moore Davis.

Examining the memories is a way to honour those who have been involved over the half century including founders Melvin “Mac” Simpson and his wife Betty Johnson Simpson. There are photos from the gala that was in her honour and for “Mac” a framed acknowledgement from the Michigan State Legislature.

“We have photos and newspaper clippings that people can move through and discover the whole history of the  museum itself,” said Moore Davis.

The Amherstburg Freedom Museum became incorporated in 1975 and six years later, the museum, which includes both the Nazrey A.M.E. Church and the Taylor Log Cabin, opened. It is one of the best institutions celebrating African-Canadians and has visitors come from around the world.

But the road to creating the museum has not been an easy one. It has taken many volunteers and as the River Town Times reported in Aug. 1999, the church was facing demolition. Numerous fundraisers such as the annual golf tournament and the Emancipation Gala have brought in revenue and awareness.

Moore Davis has been involved with the Freedom Museum for decades and fondly pointed to a picture of herself when it opened.

“It’s been fun to look back and remember that day and how special it was.

There was 400 plus people in attendance. It was a day of jubilation.”

While most of the photos and clippings came from the museum’s archives, some were donated by members and supporters. Moore Davis admitted that a few were fun to reminisce over and a bit of a surprise.

“This is a special temporary  exhibit on the first and second floors of the main building.”

The exhibit is on display until the end of the year.

The Amherstburg Freedom Museum is located at 277 King St. and is open Tuesday-Friday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

For more information, call 519-736-5433 or visit www.amherstburgfreedom.org.

New exhibit celebrates museum’s 50 years

By Fred Groves