Black History Month begins today and one of Toronto’s most inspiring true stories – that of Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first woman in North America to publish a newspaper — is being told at Mackenzie House Museum (82 Bond Street), former home of Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie.
The “rebel mayor” responsible for starting the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837, was also a newspaper publisher and he used his broadsheets to condemn slavery and to encourage the equal treatment of Upper Canada’s Black population. In 1837, he wrote: “as a public journalist we have never failed to espouse, and delight in advocating the heaven-born principle of abolition of slavery, of every race of which it may be the curse.”
Mac House, as we affectionately call the museum, boasts a recreated 1800s printshop, the perfect place to explore Shadd Cary’s role as publisher of the Provincial Freeman, founded in 1853.
The daughter of a prominent abolitionist, Mary Ann became a community leader for Blacks who left the United States following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. The Act allowed for the capture and return of enslaved people to their “owners”; in effect, this was legalized kidnapping and prompted many people to flee to Canada and freedom.
The Provincial Freeman offered extensive coverage of the abolitionist movement and helped to reconnect families separated during their difficult journey along the Underground Railroad. Marriage to Thomas Cary in 1856 did not curtail Mary Ann’s activism or her sense of purpose; she continued to teach, publish and lecture. In 1863, Mary Ann returned to the United States to serve as a recruiting officer enlisting black volunteers for the Union Army. In 1883, she became the second Black woman to graduate law school, earning her degree at age 60!
We are proud to celebrate Mary Ann Shadd Cary’s many achievements at Mackenzie House Museum. On Saturdays and Sundays in February, visitors are invited to print a bookmark featuring a quote from Mary Ann’s newspaper on the 1845 printing press: “Self Reliance is the True Road to Independence.”
WHERE/WHEN: Mackenzie House Museum (82 Bond Street, 416.392.6915), Saturdays and Sundays in February, 12 – 5 pm: Adults $5.71, Seniors (65 +) $2.62, Youth (13-18 yrs.) $2.62 , Children (5-12 yrs.) $2.38, Children (4 and under) Free (*prices do not include applicable taxes).
Danielle Urquhart has led tours at Mackenzie House Museum since 2000 and is currently a Program Officer there; she has also worked at Historic Fort York, Spadina Museum and Gibson House Museum.
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Wicked.
Never even knew this place existed.
Should try to check it out sometime, that I know that it does.
Thank you for the great article and the look back on our history.