Buxton celebrating 85th annual homecoming event this weekend

By Aaron Hall – Daily Post Editor

Homecoming in Buxton is a special time and for many an emotional experience, a reminder of the injustices endured and the struggles to overcome them.

The 85th annual homecoming event will be taking place this upcoming weekend (Sept. 4-7) in the Chatham-Kent community of Buxton.

The event gets rolling on Friday, with several keynote speakers set to attend the opening events.

For a full list of the weekend events check out the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum online.

“Our unique history has touched the lives of many African Canadians and Americans,” the Buxton Museum website reads. “Many courageous people made the perilous journey of the Underground Railroad to acquire freedom, an education, and build a future for themselves and their descendants. The Buxton Settlement became home for approximately 2,000 people of African descent, many of whom returned to the United States and held positions of prominence because of the opportunities they had while in Buxton.”

The first Homecoming was initiated by the Sunshine Club of the British Methodist Episcopal Church and was held on Labour Day 1924 in the pasture fields of Reginald and Minnie Robbins.

Call the Buxton Museum at 519-352-4799 or visit the 21975 AD Shadd Road location for more information.