Ribs & Ragtime presented to sold out crowd

Curator Mary-Katherine Whelan helps serve food during the June 13 fundraiser.

Good food and great live music were available Saturday night as the Amherstburg Freedom Museum held its annual Ribs and Ragtime fundraiser.

It was once again a sold-out event, and according to museum board chair Monty Logan, the museum gets 10 per cent of its operating expenses from government funding and the rest from the generosity of those who attend such events as the Ribs and Ragtime.

“It’s thanks to you all that we continue to be here,” said Logan.

The event has been held for over 15 years and some regulars come as far away as Chatham.

“Amherstburg Freedom Museum is a non-profit organization based on telling the stories of African-Canadians’ journey from bondage in the United States to Canada,” said Logan.

There are dozens of stories archived within the walls of the museum on King St., that last year proudly celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

Amherstburg Freedom Museum board chair Monty Logan addresses the crowd at the Ribs & Ragtime fundraiser held June 13, 2026.

“Our mission is that we will preserve and present artifacts that educate and inspire.”

As he addressed the audience at the June 13 event, Logan had a couple of special announcements. His grandmother Florence Logan, who was in attendance, is about to celebrate her 103rd birthday and he also had a bit of a history lesson, which the museum is all about.

“Entertainment is a powerful teacher and tonight we will experience black history through music,” said Logan before Christian Vegh band took to the stage. “This event was inspired by Amherstburg’s own Shelton Brooks. He was a composer, a musician, an actor and a pioneer of ragtime and early jazz.”

Brooks was born in Amherstburg in 1886 and moved to Detroit with his family five years later. His father was a preacher and the young Brooks taught himself to play the church organ. Although he never learned how to read music, Brooks composed many songs and had a career as a comedic actor on the vaudeville circuit.

Local members of council attending Saturday included Mayor Michael Prue, Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb and Councillor Linden Crain.

Next up for the Amherstburg Freedom Museum is the Walter Perry Emancipation Golf Tournament. That goes Aug. 8 at Coachwood. Logan says start time this year is 10 a.m. and there are still a few spots available.

For more information, or to visit the museum call 519-736-5433 or 1-800-713-6336. The public can also visit www.amherstburgfreedom.org.

Ribs & Ragtime presented to sold out crowd

By Fred Groves