For immediate release

February 14, 2007

BUXTON LIBERTY BELL ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR FIRST TIME

QUEEN’S PARK—In celebration of Black History Month, a replica of the historic Underground Railway Buxton Liberty Bell is on display for the first time at Queen’s Park, after a special ceremony today with Buxton residents, Chatham-Kent Essex MPP Pat Hoy and Citizenship & Immigration Minister Mike Colle.

“The Bell has been out of sight for nearly 150 years,” said Hoy. “This ceremony at Queen’s Park means we are the first members of the public to see this replica.” The original bell still hangs in St. Andrews Church in South Buxton, calling the faithful to worship every Sunday morning.

“During the 1800s, the Buxton settlement represented safety and freedom for thousands of American slaves escaping through the Underground Railroad,” said Colle. “For the first time, here at Queen’s Park the Liberty Bell and its significance in our history will be shared with Ontarians.”

“The bell was a gift to the inhabitants of Raleigh Canada West from the coloured people of Pittsburgh in 1850,” said Hoy. “By 1861, an estimated 30,000 slaves had escaped to Canada through the Underground Railroad.”

The Liberty Bell, on display until March 23, was rung every time a slave reached freedom in Buxton, which was the largest planned fugitive slave settlement in Canada. This is the public’s first view of the bell as it makes its way home to the Buxton Historical Museum where it will be dedicated on Labour Day.

Hoy noted that last February, after a personal visit by Colle to Chatham-Kent and a tour of the Buxton Museum, the Ontario government granted the Buxton National Historic Site the first grant from the Community Builders program. These grants are designed to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the diverse communities across the province.

“Black History Month is our time to remember our past and recommit to a future where all people are accepted,” said Colle, who was joined by Hoy and Bryan and Shannon Prince of the Buxton Museum and Historic Site.

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Media Contact: Pat Hoy, MPP, 416-325-9099