The world-famous ''Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site" which
is located in Dresden, Ontario, Canada will be further devel-
oped n . tR. atelyth
story of Jarlah Henson, and the Black . tive 8 ave.
The site is located in Dresden, Ontario (31f2 hours south­
west of Buffalo and 1 hour east of Detroit). The site is found
in a quiet rural setting surrounded by farm land. Josiah
Henson is generally accepted as the main character identified
in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin".
Henson settled in Ontario
. after his escape from slavery
and helped start The Dawn
Settlement (Dresden), which
was founded in 1842. The set­
tlement provided escaped
slaves an opportunity to learn
skills and other trades which
would assist with their new
life in freedom. The settle­
ment included 700 members
and owned 300 acres of farm
land. The members also culti­
vated an additional 1,500
acres.
The site today includes the
"Henson House", a church
and other buildings to tell
their story. The "Henson
House" was built in the mid-
1850's. Althougb the church
was never used by Henson, it
JOSIAH HENSON
is somewhat typical of churches of that era. The "James Harris
House" found on the site is the type of living quarters used Qy
escaped slaves who settled in Dawn.
THE ONTARtO MlNlSTRY of Culture, Tourism & Rec­
reation provided a $1.2 million grant in 1992 to begin a major
restoration of the buildings and site. The site has hosted
thousands ofpeople each year, who visit to learn the true story
of Henson as well as visit his burial site. The site not only tells
Henson's story, but the Underground Railroad system and the
legacy of the Black slaves who escaped to Canada prior to and
during the US Civil War.
The main focus of the three-year program is to restore and
preserve the historical assets of the site (buildings & artifacts).
The program will include construction of a new interpretive
building. The facility will include travelling exhibit displays;
an audio visual presentation area; black history library; ge­
nealogical resource area; and display site artifacts.
The Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site is only one of six BI ack
historic sites located in and around Chatham, Ontario that
tell this story.
A copy of the proposed site development plan has been
enclosed for your review. People interested in visiting the
Black historic sites can call toll free 1-800-561-6125 or write:
Chatham-Kent Tourist Bureau, P.O. Box 944, Chatham, On­
tario, Canada, N7M 5L3
For additional information contact: Toni Adey, Tourism
Director -1-800-561-6125/ (519) 354-6125
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