Tales of life in slavery are central to a national exhibit showing in Surrey Museum through May 28.
Passages to Freedom: Secrets of the Underground Railroad takes visitors back to the 1800s to learn about slavery, the secret escape route and the challenges those who made it to “the promised land” faced.
Stories of former slaves and their descendants who found freedom and prosperity – as well as discrimination, racism and even violence – in Canada, are told through narratives, models, interactive components and recordings of spiritual songs.
Museum visitors will discover clues to the secrets about fleeing to freedom, including signs, codes and symbols that were used along the underground railroad; learn about the messages in spiritual songs and the importance of the stars in navigating to freedom; and explore inventive escape methods, such as the box used by Henry “Box” Brown to mail himself to freedom.
Passages to Freedom was developed by the Welland Historical Museum in southern Ontario with the assistance of Heritage Canada, the Peterborough Centennial Museum, Guelph Museums and West Parry Sound Museum. The exhibit has already appeared in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Surrey Museum is located at 17710 56A Ave. Admission for 2011 has been sponsored by the Friends of the Surrey Museum Society.
For more information, call 604-592-6956 or visit www.surrey.ca/heritage