Connections and Pathways through the Past

2018 OAS Symposium - Chatham-Kent - Events


Friday, November 9

Workshop: Using Archival Records in Archaeological and Family History Research Free (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) - RSVP HERE

Sponsored by: the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

Location: W.I.S.H Centre – Black Mecca Museum, 177 King Street E., Chatham

Led by Black history researcher Guylaine Pétrin, this workshop will provide instruction on various types of archival records that are useful for archaeologists in their research and for reconstructing family genealogies. This workshop is suitable for everyone, not just archaeologists and historians. Learn how to access records, evaluate the information contained in them and its value and fact check. Examples from Black family history and recent archaeological excavations will be used.


Black Mecca Museum Tour Cost $6 to be paid at the door (3:00 pm)

Join us for a guided tour of Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society’s Black Mecca Museum located at the W.I.S.H. Centre at 177 King Street East, Chatham at 3 pm on Friday, November 9, 2018. The Museum rests in the heart of historic Black Chatham, where a thriving community emerged at the Forks of the Thames in the early-19th century. The tour will include an overview of the Museum exhibits and a walking tour of the neighbourhood. The tour is approximately 1 hour in length. Dress warmly and bring an umbrella just in case.

Friday Opening Reception (Time TBA)
Friday Evening Reception at the Chatham-Kent John D. Bradley Convention Center. Light hors d'oeuvres provided. Cash bar.


Saturday, November 10

Saturday Evening Closing Reception (Doors Open 6:00 pm) - Tickets $25 (pre-purchased with registration)

Saturday Closing Reception Chatham-Kent John D. Bradley Convention Center. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Hors d'oeuvre, pub grub (wings, pizza, pasta, salads) and dessert provided. Cash bar.


Sunday, November 11

Workshop: Does that Apply to Me??? Best Practices for Avocational and Chapter-based Archaeology Projects on Indigenous Lands - Free (9:00 am - 12:00 pm) - RSVP HERE

Sponsored by: the Ontario Archaeological Society

Location: Conference Room 1A

The recently adopted changes to the OAS Statement of Ethical Principles has implications for many different parts of our organization. In this workshop we invite OAS members and Indigenous leaders to help us to develop a set of best practices for how avocational archaeologists and OAS chapters can undertake archaeology on Indigenous sites in a fashion that is consistent with the OAS policies. Members of chapters and avocational OAS members are encouraged to attend and participate.


Sunday Bus Tour – Cost $20 – pre-purchase tickets online here

Join us in the afternoon of November 11, 2018 as we venture by bus through Chatham-Kent to visit two historic stops on the Underground Railroad. The bus will depart from the conference centre at 11:45 am and arrive back there around 5:30 pm. Please bring a packed lunch and warm clothing. Participants wishing to attend the venues in their own vehicles are asked to pay $5 cash at each venue ($10 total) to help cover off-season staffing costs. We ask anyone traveling on their own to coordinate with the schedule below.

First Stop (12 pm – 1:45 pm)

Our adventure will begin with the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum at 21975 A.D. Shadd Road, North Buxton. Home of the Elgin Settlement founded in 1849, Buxton offered a new home to African-American refugees and became a thriving 19th century hub of Black education, culture, social and political life. Descendent families continue to live and worship in the community today and support one of the most visited Underground Railroad attractions in Ontario. The visit will include an overview of Museum exhibits and tour of the cemetery, school and church. Dress warmly as part of this tour will be outdoors.

Second Stop (2:30 pm – 4:00 pm)

The second stop is the Uncle Tom's Cabin National Historic Site at 29251 Uncle Tom's Cabin Road, Dresden.  The site forms part of the 200 acres of land that was purchased for the creation of the Dawn Settlement, a haven for African-American refugees in the early-19th century. The site is associated with Josiah Henson and his wife Nancy, among the founders of the Dawn Settlement. Josiah was thought to be the inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe’s influential novel Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher StoweThe visit will include an overview of the Museum exhibits, Henson family and British American Institute cemeteries and grounds of the Uncle Tom’s Cabin site. Dena Doroszenko of the Ontario Heritage Trust will be available to answer questions about the archaeological and geophysical activities that have occurred on the site.




The Silent Auction will be held on Saturday November 10, at the Chatham-Kent John D. Bradley Convention Center, 565 Richmond Street.


Contact us
Address: 1444 Queen Street East, Suite 102, Toronto, ON M4L 1E1

Phone: +1 (416) 406-5959


Email: info@ontarioarchaeology.org
Join us 

The Ontario Archaeological Society is a registered charitable organization that promotes the ethical practice of archaeology. The general public, students and professional alike are encouraged to become members of the Society and to support its co-ordinating role in helping to record and preserve our non-renewable cultural heritage. Click here to view membership details.

 © The Ontario Archaeology Society
1444 Queen St. E., Suite 102, Toronto ON M4L 1E1 
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software